Coffee Manager in Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin at Ojibwe Market

Job Summary:
The primary responsibility of this position is to oversee the daily operations of the Ojibwe Market Coffee Kiosk (Torchlight Coffee Co.), including beverage preparation, inventory management, merchandising, customer service, financial oversight, and staff leadership. This position is responsible for creating a welcoming customer experience while maintaining efficient operations, strong product quality, cleanliness standards, and team accountability.

The Coffee Manager will lead by example while helping create a positive environment where customers feel welcomed and employees are supported in delivering exceptional service.

Essential Functions:
Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Customer Service & Operations:
•Provide exceptional customer service by performing the Customer Service Fundamentals (i.e. Fun 5: Smile, Make Eye Contact, Greet the Customer, Suggestive Sell, and Thank the Customer) in all customer interactions.
•Prepare and serve coffee, espresso beverages, teas, Matcha, specialty drinks, and light food items in accordance with company recipes and quality standards.
•Oversee daily coffee kiosk operations, ensuring efficient workflow, cleanliness, sanitation, and customer satisfaction.
•Open and close the coffee kiosk in accordance with operational procedures.
•Create a premium coffeehouse experience that reflects the quality and values of the Market
•Build relationships with regular customers and encourage repeat business.
•Handle customer concerns and complaints in a professional and business-like manner while fostering positive customer relationships.
•Maintain accurate cash handling and point-of-sale (POS) procedures.
•Assist with development and updates to beverage and food offerings.

Leadership & Staff Management:
•Lead, coach, train, schedule, and support Torchlight Coffee Co. staff.
•Prepare and manage employee work schedules to ensure appropriate staffing coverage based on business needs and customer traffic.
•Foster a positive, team-oriented work environment focused on professionalism, customer experience, and operational excellence.

Inventory, Merchandising & Financial Oversight:
•Maintain accurate inventory levels and coordinate product and supply ordering, including beverages, ingredients, utensils, and operational supplies.
•Monitor product freshness, rotation, merchandising displays, and presentation standards.
•Minimize waste and control costs while maintaining product availability
•Assist with payroll review, labor tracking, and operational reporting.
•Assist with monitoring sales, expenses, waste, and overall kiosk performance.
•Develop merchandising, promotional displays, and marketing initiatives to increase sales and customer engagement.

Sanitation, Equipment & Store Support:
•Receive and stock deliveries while maintaining organization and sanitation standards.
•Ensure all food safety, sanitation, and health department standards are consistently followed.
•Operate and oversee proper use, cleaning, and preventive maintenance of coffee and food preparation equipment.
•Maintain a neat, clean, organized, and sanitized work environment at all times.
•Assist in other areas of Ojibwe Market and perform additional duties as assigned, including occasional cashier and utility duties.

Other duties: This job description provides a general overview of the responsibilities and expectations for this role. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities that may be required. These may be modified, added, or removed at any time based on the needs of the organization.

Expectations/Abilities:
•Dependable, self-motivated, organized, and customer-focused with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced retail and food service environment.
•Strong leadership, communication, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
•Ability to multitask, prioritize responsibilities, and adapt to changing operational needs.
•Ability to lead, coach, and support employees while maintaining professionalism and a positive work environment.
•Entrepreneurial mindset with focus on sales growth, customer experience, and operational improvement.
•Ability to consistently deliver excellent customer service during customer interactions.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position has direct supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment: This job operates in a busy retail and food service environment. Responsibilities are performed within the coffee kiosk and surrounding retail areas with exposure to hot surfaces, beverage preparation equipment, refrigeration, and varying temperatures.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are essential to the successful performance of this role within a fast-paced retail coffee kiosk environment. This position requires frequent standing, movement, and physical activity while supporting daily coffee kiosk operations.
•Mobility & Stamina: Ability to stand and walk for the duration of a shift (8+ hours) and navigate a condensed workspace involving frequent bending, reaching, and twisting.
•Manual Dexterity: Perform repetitive tasks with precision, including espresso tamping, latte art, and the operation of POS systems and grinders.
•Lifting & Inventory: Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly, including bulk coffee bags, milk crates, and syrup shipments. Must be able to safely maneuver heavy inventory from delivery areas to storage.
•Environmental Exposure: Frequent exposure to heat from brewing equipment and ovens, as well as cold from refrigerators and freezers. Ability to work safely on potentially wet or slippery surfaces.
•Communication & Sensory: Regularly required to talk and hear for team leadership and customer engagement. Must possess the sensory acuity to taste and smell coffee for quality control.
•Chemical Safety: Safe handling of specialized cleaning agents and sanitizers in accordance with manufacturer instructions.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are scheduled Sunday through Saturday during coffee kiosk operating hours, generally between 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Weekend and holiday work may be required as business needs demand. Must attend all mandatory meetings and participate in required trainings.

Travel: No travel is expected for this position.

Required Qualifications:
Education & Experience:
•High school diploma or equivalent required.
•Strong knowledge and experience in espresso preparation and coffee equipment
•1–2 years of leadership experience in a coffee shop, café, retail, or hospitality environment.
•Strong customer service, communication, and organizational skills.
•Experience operating POS systems and handling cash transactions.
•Must obtain SERV Safe Certification within 30 days of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:
•Post-secondary education in hospitality, business, food service, or related field.
•Previous specialty beverage, inventory management, and employee scheduling experience.

Native American preference will be applied to hiring of this position as defined in Title 25, U.S. Code, Chapter 14, Subchapter V, subsection 273 & 274. We are an equal opportunity employer with preference given to qualified Native American applicants in accordance with federal law and tribal policy.

Required Pre-Employment Screening: LDF Business Development Corp. is committed to a drug-free workplace. To qualify for this position, applicants must agree to pre-employment drug screening and potential random testing, as required thereafter.