Cafe Manager

About NJHA: The New Jersey Hospital Association is a not-for-profit trade organization representing New Jersey’s hospitals, health systems, behavioral healthcare systems, rehabilitation hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, assisted living, nursing homes and other healthcare providers. NJHA and its affiliates, the Health Research and Educational Trust of New Jersey and Healthcare Business Solutions, share a collective goal of improving the health of New Jerseyans through services and programs that enhance quality, affordable, equitable, and accessible healthcare.

Objective:  To provide excellent customer service, serving food and beverages, maintaining a clean and welcoming environment and supporting the overall operations of the NJHA Café. Support team members during demanding periods in the Education Center, Garden Room and meeting rooms.  Serves as a resource in delivering, maintaining and clean-up of the Café and serving areas to upkeep sanitary conditions.

To perform various clerical duties for the Conference and Facilities Department. Assists with coordination of meetings and special events.

Essential Job Functions:

• Picks up catered foods and beverages from kitchen and delivers to NJHA Café.  Maintains beverages and serves food to guests in the NJHA Café throughout the day. As requested, serves food to guests in the Education Center and Employee Lunchroom.  Brews and sets up coffee condiments and paper goods in the NJHA Café.  As requested, sets up coffee condiments and paper goods in the Education Center and Employee Lunchroom.

• Greet customers maintaining a positive and friendly attitude, and take orders accurately, clarifying any questions or concerns.

• Offer recommendations and answer menu questions, providing information on ingredients, allergens and nutritional content.

• Resolve customer complaints promptly and professionally, escalating issues to management as needed.

• Prepare and serve hot and cold beverages, including specialty drinks (e.g., lattes, cappuccinos), following quality standards.

• Serve food items, such as sandwiches, salads, baked goods, and snacks, adhering to food safety guidelines.

• Set up counters and display cases, ensuring visually appealing presentations.

• Maintain the organization of the NJHA Café ensuring cleanliness and tidiness.

• Clean and sanitize equipment including espresso machine and grinder after use, counters, seating areas and serving carts, adhering to health and safety protocols.

• Maintain exterior patio area, including patio tidying and umbrella management.

• Restock supplies and inventory as needed, reporting shortages.

• Operate point-of-sale systems, processing transactions.

• Monitor food freshness and dispose of expired or spoiled items, adhering to food safety guidelines.

• Perform opening and closing duties (e.g., setting up equipment, cleaning), ensuring seamless operations.

• Follow health and safety protocols, including food safety guidelines, reporting any concerns or issues.

• Provide support to kitchen team with food preparation and delivery tasks as needed.

• Provide support with event setup and breakdown, ensuring timely and efficient service as needed.

• Provide support with transporting materials and equipment to designated areas, setting up flipcharts, registration tables, and head tables.

• Provide backup coverage in the department as needed, supporting team members during peak periods.

• Reviews/creates all departmental invoices for accuracy. Generates and process check requests for approval by department head.  Creates memos and reports, screens calls, takes messages, handles correspondence and mail.

• Update and display menus in the Café, update and display meeting titles in lobby.

• Routinely reviews active pending meetings, active hold, room deposits due in conference center software and follow up with manager as necessary. 

• Assists conference and facilities managers with scheduling meetings for the Conference Center. 

• Maintains preparation area, storage, refrigerators and serving areas in accordance with Board of Health regulations and department requirements.

Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent required. Valid driver’s license, ability to interface with public, must speak and understand the English language to provide positive customer service interactions.  Must be capable of performing minor food preparation work. Must have the ability to follow directions and work well with other people.  Prior experience working in a catering service preferred.   Individual must be capable of lifting to 50 lbs. and pushing food delivery carts.   Individual must be able to climb on stepladder to clean hard to reach places in NJHA Café and kitchen (i.e. hoods over stove, tile walls around stove, steamer, and dishwasher).  Individual should not pose a threat to the health or safety of self and others. 

NJHA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, status as a veteran, or any other category protected by federal, state, and local laws.