Bench General Manager

POSITION: Bench General Manager

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

• Reports to the District Manager
• Direct Reports:
  Shift Leads, Baristas, and Food Prep Positions

In 1995, Equator Founders Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell began their values-driven path, roasting coffee in a Marin County, CA garage. Possessing an obsessive commitment to green coffee sourcing and unparalleled roasting expertise, Helen and Brooke have committed over 30 years to sustainable and fair trade coffee practices all in the name of creating a remarkable coffee experience for consumers. Today, Equator Coffees is a retail and wholesale coffee roaster and coffee farm owner with twelve retail cafes throughout California—from Marin County to San Francisco to Oakland to Los Angeles and beyond.

Throughout the years, Equator Coffees has spearheaded industry-leading sourcing and roasting practices, and has forged progressive partnerships with Michelin-starred chefs, specialty grocers, tech campuses, and more. Women-owned, LGBTQ-founded, and an early adopter of Fair Trade certification, Equator Coffees is the first California coffee roaster to achieve B Corp Certification.

The Bench Manager position is a unique opportunity to embark on a journey of learning and growth, with the ultimate goal of managing a designated home store and its team. This role involves shadowing existing store managers, working closely with the District Manager, and immersing oneself in the key responsibilities that define our brand's commitment to excellence. The Bench General Manager is entrusted with conscientious hiring, training, and employee development, all under the guidance of seasoned managers.

Fostering a positive environment and effective communication within the team are skills cultivated through hands‑on experience and mentorship. The Bench General Manager learns the art of creating schedules that harmonize with business and employee needs, mastering accurate payroll management, and promptly addressing customer concerns. With a focus on financial performance, this role involves working closely with the District Manager to drive sales, monitor Key Performance Indicators, and consistently identify areas for improvement.

The Bench Manager role is a dynamic learning experience, instilling a passion for our brand and a commitment to leadership that will shape the successful management of a future home store and its team.

• Demonstrates a passion for coffee and inspires it in others
• Management experience in specialty coffee, retail, hospitality and/or customer service is required
• Experience managing a profitable & operationally sound single café/restaurant preferred
• Must maintain current state issued SERVSafe Manager Certificate
• Experience recruiting, hiring, and managing staff
• Strong leadership skills with professional maturity
• Proven ability to understand and execute on an organization’s goals and objectives
• Enjoys working on a team and collaborating as a team player
• Leadership, relationship, team building, and conflict management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills - both oral and written
• Must be able to exercise independent judgment and decision-making skills
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
• Experience reviewing financial reports and meeting budgets
• Able to work full time (the work regularly demands in excess of 45 hours per week) including variable hours such as early morning, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays
• Ability to lead change, deal with the ambiguity, and prioritize needed to run a fast‑paced environment
• Experience with POS touch screen, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and other computer skills
• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred
• Minimum High School or GED

• Competitive wage
• Commuter Benefits – pre‑tax parking and transit
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Physical and mental health, financial and legal coaching available at no cost to the employee
• Free mental health app subscription
• Employee discount on merchandise, coffee gear, and at Equator cafés
• Continuing coffee education classes
• Free coffee
• P…