General Manager in Training.

Lofty Coffee, Inc•Encinitas, CA

About The Position

The Senior Shift Leader is a General Manager in Training role designed for high-performing leaders preparing for full café management. This position supports daily café operations by leading the team, maintaining high service and product standards, and ensuring an exceptional guest experience. Working closely with the Director of Operations, the Senior Shift Leader develops the skills, knowledge, and leadership competencies required to advance into a General Manager role within 6–12 months, based on performance and business needs. This role fosters a positive, high-performing culture while upholding company values, policies, and operational excellence.

Requirements

2-3 years of leadership experience in café, restaurant, or retail environments.
Strong team coaching and customer service skills.
Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities.
Proficient in POS systems (Square), Slack communications and Microsoft Office Suite.
Flexible availability including evenings, weekends, and select holidays.
Able to lift up to 75 lbs, work on your feet, and safely operate kitchen/coffee equipment.

Responsibilities

Lead and motivate team members to deliver excellent hospitality and achieve business KPI goals.
Support onboarding, training, and ongoing coaching to maintain service and operational standards.
Oversee front- and back-of-house workflow to ensure efficient, timely service.
Uphold quality standards for all food, beverages, and presentation.
Monitor labor, breaks, and coverage to balance business needs and team wellness.
Handle guest issues with professionalism, urgency, and care.
Execute opening and closing procedures, restocking, cleanliness, and quality checks.
Manage vendor orders, inventory, and maintenance reporting.
Serve as a barista and food expert, preparing food and beverages to standard and maintaining equipment calibration.
Maintain consistent, timely, and professional communication with the Director regarding café operations, updates, and team performance.
Provide real-time coaching and corrective feedback to team members, documenting and sharing key notes with the Director.
Partner with the Director to identify, address, and resolve operational challenges while ensuring team needs are met and supported.
Assist the Director with the development, preparation, and distribution of the weekly staff schedule.
Conduct pre-screening and interviews for prospective candidates, collaborating with the Director to recruit and hire qualified team members.
Promptly report and communicate any café maintenance or facility-related issues to the Director.
Learn and apply financial fundamentals, including labor management, cost control, and sales performance.
Develop leadership skills related to team engagement, accountability, and performance management.
Gain exposure to scheduling strategy, inventory planning, and operational decision-making.
Participate in leadership development, feedback, and performance reviews with the Director.
Demonstrate readiness to independently manage café operations.