SUMMARY
We are a Paris-born specialty coffee bar that has just opened in New York. The opening has exceeded expectations, with strong daily volume, intense morning peaks, and consistent lines. We are now hiring a General Manager to take full ownership of the New York coffee bar and run it day to day. This role replaces the founders on site.
ABOUT US
We are a founder-led specialty coffee business that started in Paris, where we operate an established location, and recently opened our first New York coffee bar.
The New York location is a coffee-first operation: fast, precise, and repeatable. This is not a sit-down restaurant. Speed, consistency, and execution during peak hours matter more than ambiance or table service.
We are hiring a General Manager to fully own the New York operation, ensure it runs consistently whether or not the founders are present, and take responsibility for operational, people, and financial performance.
THE ROLE
This is a hands-on, on-site General Manager role. It is not an office position.
You will be the senior authority on site and the person accountable for how the coffee bar operates every day. You will take over the daily leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving currently handled by the founders.
You will report to the founders, align with them on strategy and priorities, and operate independently day to day.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Operations and Readiness
You own daily readiness and opening procedures with zero tolerance for delays.
You ensure the coffee bar opens on time and fully prepared every day.
You maintain high standards across service speed, cleanliness, workflow, and discipline.
You anticipate operational issues and resolve them decisively before they escalate.
You own vendor selection, ordering, and coordination for pastries, supplies, and consumables, including pricing, contracts, and performance.
People and Leadership
You lead, manage, and hold accountable a team of approximately 15 people, including managers and leads.
You own hiring, onboarding, training, promotion, performance management, and termination decisions.
You set clear expectations and actively follow up to ensure execution.
You are visible on the floor during peak periods and lead through presence and authority.
Scheduling and Performance
You build schedules aligned with business needs and morning-driven volume.
You manage labor strategically to protect speed, quality, and margins.
You track operational KPIs and take corrective action when standards slip.
You fully own execution so founders are not involved in daily operations or problem-solving.
Financial Ownership
You own store-level P&L performance.
You set and manage labor targets.
You control COGS and operating costs.
You approve payroll, investigate variances, and correct inefficiencies.
You make real-time tradeoffs to protect margins without compromising service quality.
WHO THIS ROLE IS FOR
This role is for someone with real specialty coffee bar leadership experience.
You understand morning-driven volume, espresso bar flow, repetition, and training at speed.
You understand the difference between running a coffee bar and running a restaurant.
You are comfortable making decisions, enforcing standards, and being accountable for results.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
4–5+ years managing specialty coffee bars or coffee-first concepts.
Experience leading teams of 12–20+ people.
Direct ownership of hiring, scheduling, ordering, standards, and financial performance.
Strong on-site leadership presence during peak hours.
Restaurant-only experience is not sufficient unless paired with substantial coffee-bar leadership experience.
SCHEDULE EXPECTATIONS
Full-time role, approximately 45–50 hours per week.
On site during major peak periods, especially mornings and weekends.
Some early starts and occasional evenings.
This is not a clock-watching role.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Base salary range: $95,000–$110,000 (good-faith NYC range).
Discretionary performance-based bonus.
10 paid vacation days annually after ramp-up.
Sponsored health insurance (50% employer-covered).
Pre-tax commuter benefits.
NYC-compliant paid sick leave.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
W-2, exempt (salaried) position.
General Manager does not participate in tip pools.
Employment contingent on background check and authorization to work in the U.S.
HOW TO APPLY
We only review applications that include a written response.
Please include a short note answering both questions below:
What experience do you have specifically managing a coffee bar or specialty coffee operation? Please include where, team size, and type of volume.
What is one operational problem you personally owned and fixed in a busy coffee bar?
Applications without these answers will not be reviewed.
