ASSISTANT CAFE LEADER
We’re a Calgary-based, owner-operator coffee company with nine cafés in addition to our roasterie and HQ at the Simmons building in Calgary’s historic East Village. We’re passionate about coffee and creating welcoming, memorable experiences for our customers. We’re a dynamic, growing company, and we’re looking for a special individual to join our management team as Assistant Cafe Leader (our name for Assistant Manager) for the Marda Loop location.
A minimum of one year experience in a supervisor or management role in the coffee or restaurant industry is required. As an Assistant Cafe Leader, you will work closely with the Cafe Leader, the Manager & the Director of Cafe Operations, as well as Sebastian and Phil themselves as they assist in your professional and personal development.
WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS
As an Assistant Cafe Leader, you’re not just running a café—you’re building a team, shaping a culture, and creating memorable experiences for every guest who walks through the door.
You’ll lead from the front, balancing people, operational and financial support while overseing Coffee Culture and Quality, all while nurturing a strong sense of hospitality to guests.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Leading People & Culture
2. Driving Coffee Quality
3. Running Exceptional Operations
PRE-REQUISITES:
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Have a true passion for coffee: you care deeply about quality, sourcing, and craft
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A positive and hospitality-driven individual who enjoys connecting with guests and creating a welcoming atmosphere.
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Nurture a fun environment - we make coffee and treats!
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Preferably one year experience in a supervisor or management role in the coffee or restaurant industry
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Strong communication and coaching skills - proven ability to communicate effectively with management and team members
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Desire to work with people - this role involves coaching and developing team members, the ideal candidate must have an innate passion for building strong teams.
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Have the ability and desire to work in a rapidly changing environment that can be stressful at times.
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Passionate about business success and growth
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Full time, weekend and holiday availability mandatory
If this sounds like you and you’re excited to apply, please review the role responsibilities below and submit a resume and cover letter detailing why you would be great for the role. The letter should include how you meet the prerequisites, what coffee culture means to you and why you are the best candidate for the role.
Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
OPERATIONS
The ACL is the primary person responsible for the following items:
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Supply Management – ensure stock inventory levels are right and orders are placed at the right times. Track and manage waste costs, implement waste reduction initiatives
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Maintenance – report issues through the tool, escalate to CL when needed, follow up with Technician, fill out monthly maintenance checklist.
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Cleanliness Management - ensure and supervise the cleanliness and sanitation, as well as the organization and tidiness of the cafe, through checklists assignment and completion
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Shift Leadership - assign roles on the floor, manage breaks, rotations.
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Product QC – uphold QC standards on coffee, food and drink. Report quality issues to CL - for training or QC follow up.
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Feedback - provide feedback to the Director of Coffee Culture on QC, provide feedback to the Head Roaster on the coffees.
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Expectation of collaborative and open communication with the Cafe Leader, other coffee and cafe leaders and Training department
COFFEE QUALITY
The ACL is the go-to expert on day to day coffee quality. It is their responsibility to ensure the equipment is functioning properly and track maintenance related issues early on. They work closely with both the CL and the training department to ensure the cafe is serving the best quality coffee possible.
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Dial drip weekly and communicate settings
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Taste drip daily
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Dial Tone (if applicable)
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Ensure Tone inventory management and freezing schedules are maintained (if applicable)
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Dial new batches and new coffees (including machine temp changes)
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Reevaluate shot parameters weekly
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Taste and dial espresso daily
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Ensure Espresso dialing sheets are maintained
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Measure and report back weekly (water, coffee TDS, brewing temps, Fetco water volume, espresso machine flow rate) using provided form
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Monthly grinder cleaning
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Coffee date rotation (both retail and cafe use)
ASSIST THE CL
The ACL assists the CL daily and assumes full responsibility for the following tasks on days where the CL is not present:
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Schedules – first line of defense for schedule coverage
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Launches – ensure new product launches and initiatives are carried out smoothly, staff are trained and aware
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Aesthetic Standards – carry out the cafe look and feel standards (organization, “outside/inside customer view”, music, apparel)
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Emergency Response – deal with real-time emergencies as per the manual
LEADERSHIP
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Coaching – continually work with the CL and the team to improve individual performance. The ACL is the coach and mentor of the baristas through training, delegation and verbal feedback.
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Onboard – Assist with new hire onboarding and training along with the Cafe Leader.
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Staff morale – foster a growing work environment through positive reinforcement and verbal recognition; participate in nominating deserving staff for recognition; monitor the morale and report and work to the CL about any issue or recognition needed.
KNOWLEDGE
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Expert level knowledge of coffee (our producers, our coffees, tasting notes, coffee terminology, varieties, processing methods, harvest periods, green freezing)
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Will be given extra training at the Director of Coffee Culture’s discretion.
SERVICE
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Deal with in-café customer complaints
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Lead by example – demonstrate exemplary customer service and quality.
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Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: We are committed to equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by Alberta laws or regulations. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. We encourage applicants of all ages.
Work Remotely: No
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
