Assistant Manager - Cafes at UW in Seattle, WA

Job description

Job Description Housing & Food Services has an outstanding opportunity for an Assistant Manager for Cafes to join their team. About this Opportunity Assist in the leadership and management of Housing & Food Services (HFS) Retail Café operations with primary responsibility for Rotunda Café, auxiliary dining location located within the UW Medical Center. Provide daily operational leadership for Rotunda Café, including high-volume espresso service, retail market offerings, Grab & Go programs, snacks, and the implementation and ongoing management of the Hot Self-Service Deli program. Ensure consistent delivery of quality products, exceptional customer service, food safety standards, and operational excellence within a unique healthcare campus environment. This position provides direct supervision and leadership for Rotunda Café staff while serving as a backup resource for other HFS Retail Café operations as needed. The position supports business continuity, staff development, and operational consistency across the Retail Café program Key Responsibilities 45% Operations and Customer Service: • Serve as the primary operational leader for Rotunda Café, ensuring successful daily execution of breakfast and lunch service Monday through Friday. • Manage the multi-component café operation, including high-volume espresso, Grab & Go, retail and convenience products, and the Hot Self-Service Deli. • Provide active floor leadership during peak service periods, maintaining approximately 90% floor presence and 10% administrative time during operating hours. • Ensure operations consistently meet HFS standards for customer service, product quality, cleanliness, food safety, and operational efficiency. • Lead implementation and continuous improvement of the Hot Self-Service Deli, including production coordination, product quality, merchandising, waste management, and customer feedback. • Monitor customer needs, service trends, and operational challenges unique to the UW Medical Center location and make appropriate adjustments. • Build and maintain positive relationships with building partners, customers, and campus stakeholders. 30% Leadership and Supervision • Directly supervise assigned Rotunda Café employees, including the Food Service Worker 2 - Barista, Cook Lead, and student employees. • Provide daily direction, coaching, training, and performance development to support productivity, quality, safety, and customer service expectations. • Develop staff knowledge and skills in espresso preparation, food production, retail merchandising, customer service, and food safety. • Schedule employees and monitor attendance and timekeeping to maintain appropriate staffing, minimize service disruptions, and control overtime. • Participate in recruitment, interviewing, selection, onboarding, and training, while supporting student employee development through mentorship and experiential learning. • Partner with the Unit Manager and HFS Human Resources to address employee relations, performance concerns, and workplace expectations. • Serve as a backup manager for other HFS Retail Café locations, providing operational coverage and supporting consistent training, service, product quality, initiatives, and problem solving across the program. 15% Food Production and Fiscal Management • Lead staff on operational policies, procedures, service expectations, and compliance with UW, HFS, Washington State Department of Health, and food safety requirements. • Maintain active managerial control of food safety, including food handling, temperature control, sanitation, employee practices, corrective actions, and ongoing training. • Identify and correct unsafe conditions, equipment concerns, and operational barriers; coordinate maintenance follow-up and maintain cleaning and sanitation standards. • Manage inventory practices including ordering, receiving, storage, production planning, merchandising, pars, and waste reduction. • Monitor product quality, menu performance, cu