Café Manager
Long Story Books
717 Edgewood Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
Long Story Books is an independent bookstore and café in Inman Park built around books, coffee, hospitality, and the joy of bringing people together. We believe a bookstore should be a place people want to spend time in: welcoming, thoughtful, and connected to its community. We’re looking for a Café Manager to join our very first team.
The Café Manager is responsible for the day-to-day café operation, including coffee and food preparation, inventory, service, staff development, and maintaining the quality and consistency of the café program. The café and bookstore are two parts of the same experience, and our team works across both to create a cohesive, well-run space for our guests.
This is a hands-on role for someone who wants to take ownership of a café program while developing their management skills. The Café Manager will work café shifts alongside the team while also helping develop recipes and seasonal offerings, establish café systems and standards, and lead a small staff. Prior management experience is helpful, but we’re also interested in someone with strong café experience who is ready to take the next step.
Reports to: General Manager
Works closely with: Events Manager
We also believe in consistent pay across the bookstore and café. Long Story Books is a tip-free workplace, so our team does not rely on tips to determine their earnings.
We’re looking for someone who knows and loves coffee, takes pride in their work, cares about hospitality, and wants to be part of building something from the beginning.
Responsibilities
Café Operations
Oversee day-to-day café operations and maintain Long Story Books standards for coffee, food, service, and cleanliness.
Work regular café shifts alongside the team.
Prepare and serve coffee, tea, beer, wine, and other café offerings.
Develop and maintain recipes, preparation procedures, and seasonal menu offerings.
Maintain consistency in coffee and food quality, recipes, and presentation.
Establish and maintain café opening, closing, cleaning, and daily operating procedures.
Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary café and craft kitchen.
Monitor café equipment and communicate maintenance or repair needs.
Identify operational issues and work with the General Manager to address them.
Inventory & Purchasing
Monitor café inventory and maintain appropriate product levels.
Order, receive, store, rotate, and restock café inventory.
Maintain accurate inventory counts and communicate ordering needs.
Place café orders within established budgets and procedures.
Track product usage and identify opportunities to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
Maintain relationships with café vendors and suppliers as needed.
Team Management & Development
Lead and support café staff in their day-to-day work.
Train café staff on coffee preparation, recipes, service standards, point-of-sale procedures, and daily operations.
Create and maintain café staff schedules in coordination with the General Manager.
Set clear expectations and provide regular feedback to café staff.
Help develop team members' skills and knowledge.
Lead by example in service, hospitality, cleanliness, and attention to detail.
Communicate staffing, performance, and operational needs to the General Manager.
Work with the General Manager on staff development and performance management.
Guest Experience & Store Operations
Welcome guests and provide knowledgeable, attentive service.
Maintain familiarity with the bookstore, café menu, beer and wine offerings, events, and programming.
Work in tandem with booksellers to keep service moving smoothly across the store.
Ring both café and book transactions through the point-of-sale system.
Help guests navigate the bookstore and café.
Build relationships with regular customers and contribute to the store's community.
Events & Programming
Work closely with the Events Manager to plan café service for author events, book clubs, storytimes, and other programming.
Develop event-specific café menus and service plans as needed.
Coordinate staffing, food, beverages, supplies, and equipment for events.
Oversee café service during events and adjust operations based on event needs.
Help ensure event service meets Long Story Books' standards for hospitality and presentation.
Assist with event setup and reset as needed.
General Expectations
Take ownership of assigned responsibilities and follow through.
Manage time effectively and prioritize tasks based on the needs of the business.
Maintain strong attention to detail.
Communicate clearly with teammates and managers.
Move between café, bookstore, event, and general store responsibilities as needed.
Help maintain a clean, organized, and well-run store.
Ideal Candidate Has:
Previous barista or specialty coffee experience.
Strong knowledge of coffee preparation and espresso.
Experience developing recipes or working in a craft kitchen, bakery, restaurant, or other food preparation environment.
Previous management or supervisory experience helpful, but not required.
Interest in developing leadership and staff management skills.
Genuine interest in books and willingness to learn.
Strong customer service and communication skills.
Organized, dependable, and detail-oriented.
Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a busy environment.
Available to work evenings, weekends, and events.
Willing to be hands-on with all aspects of operating a small business.
Benefits
Paid time off
Access to health insurance plan or stipend
In-store discounts and access to advance reader copies
Paid volunteer time off
Professional development opportunities, including bookselling courses and certifications, conferences and events, and more
Hospitality is central to Long Story Books. We want every interaction, transaction, event, and detail of the space to reflect that. We’re building a place where books, coffee, and community come together, and every member of the team plays a part in making that experience work.
Please submit your resume here.