Job Application for Manager, Sanctuary Cafe at Farm Sanctuary

***Application Deadline: June 20, 2025@ 12pm EST***

Watkins Glen, NY

Summary: The Manager of The Kitchen at Farm Sanctuary is an essential member of the management team, responsible for overseeing the operations of the on-site vegan cafe. To excel in this role, the ideal candidate should have experience as a vegan chef, managing a restaurant kitchen or cafe, excellent time management and communication skills, and be customer-oriented and solution-driven. The ideal candidate is also a strong collaborator. This is a seasonal role.

Responsibilities:

Develops and cooks tasty, healthy recipes and oversees menu creation and pricing
Ensures that all packaging, suppliers, and cafe operations are sustainable and eco-friendly, with a strong focus on promoting and maintaining sustainable practices.
Prepares and oversees food for the Bed & Breakfast and other visitor programs
Oversees and manages food preparation, inventory, and purchases
Plans, organizes, and monitors controls to maintain high standards for food quality, presentation, and service
Supervises cafe staff, interns, and volunteers
Ensures cafe and staff comply with food safety regulations
Collaborates with the hospitality department on administrative tasks; including budgeting, reporting, record-keeping, and scheduling
Ensures that all cafe equipment is maintained at all times
Ensures all cafe standard operating procedures are maintained and compliant with NYS health guidelines.
Trains staff on simple recipe preparation and presentation, equipment usage, food safety, and cleaning procedures
Partner with hospitality and education teams on menu selection and food related educational opportunities on and off site
Partners with the development and the communications departments to provide giving opportunities and to create content for social media, emails, and other communications
Develops and implements comprehensive team member management systems, including performance evaluation, structured training, strategic scheduling, and team development aligned with Farm Sanctuary's mission and values
Collaborate with the Communications Department and the Manager, Community Organizer to develop and implement strategies to promote the cafe to visitors, the local community, and broader audiences
Collaborates with the CFO to assess and adjust strategic plans for the cafe

Leadership Expectations:

Demonstrates maturity, sound judgment, and the ability to resolve interpersonal and operational challenges independently and constructively.
Models professionalism and emotional intelligence, engaging People and Culture when appropriate but not as a default.
Encourages a culture of respectful communication, accountability, and direct problem-solving within the team.

Essential Physical Requirements:

Prolonged periods of standing and walking.
Must be able to perform medium work. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Must be able to bend, lift, push, stoop, stretch, climb, and crawl and other strenuous physical activities
Must be able to regularly perform job responsibilities in a variety of weather conditions. Some work is done in an outdoor setting that is not climate-controlled, but most work is performed in the kitchen and involves exposure to hazards or physical risks, requiring basic safety precautions.
Utilize adequate vision, hearing, fine motor skills, and physical stamina to operate machinery safely, including the ability to detect visual and auditory signals and hazards in the work environment

Must be able to perform job responsibilities with exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, fumes, and smoke.

Preferred Qualifications:

2 years or more of experience managing a kitchen and cafe.
4 years of vegan cooking experience in positions with increasing responsibility including line cooking and prep work
Effective management skills; ability to handle multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines while planning, organizing and leading a team
Exceptional interpersonal skills with ability to collaborate effectively with co-workers, promoting a positive and supportive team environment
Customer-oriented with exceptional communication skills, ensuring excellent service and satisfaction for guests
Highly detail-oriented, with a keen eye for quality and presentation, and the ability to maintain accurate records and documentation
Solution-driven, with the ability to think creatively, identify problems, and develop effective solutions
Alignment with Farm Sanctuary’s values of compassion, understanding, integrity, transformation, and freedom.
Familiarity, commitment to, and experience with the practice of equity and social justice, and the principles embedded in Farm Sanctuary’s mission

We embrace candidates from a range of backgrounds and experiences, regardless of whether they satisfy all the specified requirements. We encourage you to apply, even if you have an unconventional or non-traditional background

Job Specifications:

Terms of employment: temporary, exempt, full-time
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

Direct reports: Assistant Manager of The Kitchen, Interns

Pay: $58,000-$60,000 annualized salary (Approx. $24,000 to $25,000 total for 5-month term)

Location: Watkins Glen, NY

Travel: None
Benefits: Competitive benefits package, including 14 paid holidays; generous paid time off; health, dental, vision, and life insurance; 403(b) plan; flexible spending accounts; long-term disability insurance; free access to the CALM meditation app; and access to the Nivati wellness platform

Farm Sanctuary is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, or age.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Any photos or videos taken in the scope of employment and/or related to Farm Sanctuary are considered work product and intellectual property of Farm Sanctuary.

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Manager, Sanctuary Cafe

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