District Manager - Fast-Growing Bakery Café Concept
3 days ago
New York
Position Overview We are seeking an experienced District Manager to oversee multiple locations within a rapidly growing bakery café concept known for its freshly baked goods, specialty beverages, and welcoming neighborhood café experience. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence, revenue growth, and exceptional guest experiences across the district. The District Manager will provide leadership, coaching, and strategic direction to café management teams while ensuring operational standards, financial performance, and brand culture are consistently executed. The ideal candidate is a dynamic, people-focused leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and has a strong background in multi-unit restaurant or hospitality operations. Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership • Oversee day-to-day operations for multiple café locations, ensuring operational standards, food quality, and guest service expectations are consistently met or exceeded., • Lead and support General Managers and café leadership teams in executing operational strategies and company initiatives., • Conduct regular café visits and operational audits to ensure brand standards, cleanliness, safety, and service quality. Financial Performance • Drive revenue growth and profitability across the district through effective planning, forecasting, and cost control., • Analyze sales performance, labor costs, food costs, and other key financial metrics to develop action plans for improvement., • Partner with café leadership teams to implement local marketing and sales strategies that support district-level growth. Team Development & Talent Management • Lead recruitment, development, and retention efforts for café management teams., • Identify training and development needs and partner with training teams to ensure managers and staff receive appropriate support., • Provide mentorship, coaching, and performance feedback to General Managers and leadership teams., • Foster a supportive environment focused on growth, accountability, and high performance. Guest Experience & Brand Standards • Ensure every café delivers a consistent, welcoming guest experience aligned with the brand’s mission and values., • Proactively address guest feedback and implement corrective action plans to resolve service gaps., • Promote a culture of hospitality and community engagement within each location. Franchise & Corporate Collaboration • Support both corporate-operated cafés and franchise partners within the district., • Guide franchise owners and their General Managers in implementing operational processes, training programs, and performance management practices., • Ensure alignment with company standards, procedures, and brand expectations. Compliance & Safety • Ensure all cafés maintain compliance with local and state health regulations and food safety standards., • Monitor adherence to company policies, procedures, and operational guidelines., • Support preventative maintenance programs to maintain café facilities and equipment. Qualifications • 5–7+ years of progressive leadership experience in multi-unit restaurant, hospitality, retail, or entertainment operations., • Proven experience managing high-volume locations and leading multiple teams across a geographic region., • Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent experience will also be considered., • Strong financial acumen with demonstrated experience managing P&L performance, budgeting, and cost control., • Experience with POS systems (Toast experience preferred)., • Strong inventory management and operational planning skills., • Exceptional leadership, coaching, and team development abilities., • Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills., • High emotional intelligence and ability to lead diverse teams., • Flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required to support café operations., • Competitive compensation package, • Medical, dental, and vision benefits, • 401(k) retirement plan, • Paid time off and paid holidays, • Performance-driven, collaborative culture, • Employee celebration perks including birthday recognition