Cafe and Lobby Manager

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Cafe and Lobby Manager. In this role, you are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the hotel's full-service cafe, which serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and a bar program. This hands-on leadership role oversees front of house operations, staff management, and guest experience, ensuring the cafe reflects the quality and character of the hotel. The Cafe and Lobby Manager supports the overall guest experience by assisting the front desk and lobby operations during peak service hours. Additionally, the manager acts as a liaison between Guest Service Agents and guests.

The ideal Cafe and Lobby Manager is an energetic, service-focused professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and leads by example on the floor. They bring a natural warmth and genuine love of hospitality that sets the tone for the entire team, paired with the operational discipline to manage costs, schedules, and inventory without losing sight of the guest experience. Equally adept at pulling espresso shots during a busy breakfast rush, chatting with a guest, guiding a team member, and sitting down to review the week's P&L, this person moves fluidly between hands-on service and management responsibilities. They are a confident, empathetic leader who develops loyalty in their team through clear communication, consistent standards, and a culture of mutual respect. In a hotel where every guest interaction matters, they understand that the cafe is often the heart of the property, and they take pride in making it feel that way.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations across all three meal periods and bar service, ensuring smooth, efficient, and consistently high-quality service
• Hire, train, schedule, and supervise cafe staff including kitchen supervisors, servers, bartenders, baristas, hosts, and support staff
• Ensure F&B employees have the required Food Handlers, TIPS, and RBS certifications etc., for their role
• Maintain Cal/OSHA safety standards and attend required training
• Partner with the kitchen team on menu development, seasonal updates, and daily specials that align with the hotel's brand and guest expectations
• Maintain and execute the bar program, including cocktail and mocktail offerings, wine and beer selection, and responsible alcohol service compliance
• Manage opening and closing procedures and maintain accountability for cash handling, POS reconciliation, and daily reporting
• Monitor and control labor costs, food and beverage costs, and waste, reporting results against budget to hotel management
• Maintain inventory levels, place orders with purveyors, and build strong supplier relationships
• Ensure all areas of the cafe meet health department standards and pass routine inspections
• Handle guest feedback and complaints with professionalism and a solutions-oriented approach
• Support the lobby experience and Guest Service Agents during peak service times, and handle any guest escalations brought by either the guest or agent
• Coordinate with the front desk and hotel operations team on in-room dining, group bookings, and special events hosted in the cafe
• Create a warm, welcoming environment consistent with the ASH overall hospitality philosophy
• Maintain equipment in good working order and communicate maintenance needs to the Maintenance Manager promptly
• Develop and enforce service standards, employee conduct expectations, and sanitation protocols
• Act as Service Bartender in the absence of an hourly team member, and be willing to be hands on support throughout the shift
• Act as MOD in the absence of an operations manager

Qualifications

• 3+ years of food and beverage management experience, preferably in a full-service cafe, restaurant, or hotel F&B setting
• Demonstrated experience overseeing multiple dayparts (breakfast through dinner) and bar operations
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop a small, close-knit team
• Solid understanding of P&L, food and beverage cost controls, and labor management
• Experience with POS systems and basic reporting
• Food handler's certification and responsible alcohol service certification (e.g., Food Handlers, TIPS, ServSafe) required or ability to obtain promptly
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; equally comfortable with guests and staff
• Flexible availability, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Passion for hospitality, food, and creating memorable guest experiences

Work Environment

• Active, on-your-feet role in a fast-paced cafe environment
• Frequent interaction with hotel guests and vendors
• Occasional lifting, carrying, and standing for extended periods
• Some administrative work (scheduling, reporting, ordering) performed in an office or at a workstation

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary Range: $75,000 - $90,000 | plus bonus Commensurate with Experience

Additional benefits include:

• Eligible to enroll in Medical, dental, and vision insurance with generous company contribution to monthly premium after 60 days of employment

• Eligible to enroll in Voluntary Long-Term, Short-Term Disability Plans, Life Insurance, Accident and Critical Illness Plans, Pet Insurance after 60 days of employment

• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match after 90 days of employment

• Annual Paid time off: 10 vacation days, 4 Personal Days

• California-mandated paid sick leave

• Ash Hotel & F&B discounts

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

Primarily property-based, with a mix of desk work, floor presence, and meetings across departments. Some evenings or weekends may be needed around key team milestones, events, or employee relations matters. Ability to sit, stand, walk, and lift up to 25 lbs as needed.

Legal Notices

Equal Employment Opportunity: We are an equal opportunity employer and make hiring decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age (40+), disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under California or federal law, including the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).

Reasonable Accommodations: We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please contact us during the application process.

At-Will Employment: Employment with this company is at-will, meaning either the employee or employer may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, to the extent permitted by law.