Manager - Dark Horse Downtown Toronto

About The Organization Dark Horse Espresso Bar is a pioneer in the Toronto specialty coffee community and has become a hotspot for those who appreciate great coffee, handmade pastries, and a comfortable environment. Dark Horse is a place where guests can relax, reflect, socialise, and re‑energise with seriously great coffee. Over the past 15 years, we have evolved from one beloved neighbourhood cafe into a collection of six shops in vibrant communities across the city.

About The Position The Dark Horse Store Manager is the core of our café experience, responsible for building and leading a successful café rooted in the Dark Horse brand and guest experience. The Manager works closely with the Barista team and Dark Horse Management to deliver an exceptional employee and guest experience, while operating a profitable and growing business with the highest quality standards.

Candidates must possess a strong business sense, natural hospitality, and outstanding team leadership skills. The successful candidate will be excited by the opportunity to grow a coffee‑focused hospitality business and embrace the challenges that come with it.

Responsibilities

Learn and embody the core values of the Dark Horse Brand; Authentic, Inclusive, Genuine and Curious. Find your place and build your career as Toronto’s original specialty cafe expands to your region.

Build an incredible team that delivers our Café Experience. Hiring, training and oversight of the team is the primary objective of this position. Create a positive, inclusive and high‑performing environment for both your team and customers.

With support from the HR and Dark Horse Management team, hiring, onboarding, training, evaluations and promotions.

Engage with both the local community and coffee aficionados as an ambassador with a focus on building positive relationships and enhancing the Dark Horse brand.

Manage financial performance by growing topline sales and controlling key cost categories (primarily, labour and waste).

Oversee all ordering, inventory management, storage and display related functions in a manner that optimises waste and topline sales.

Personally deliver outstanding customer service and ensure that all staff members understand the importance of customer service.

Understand Dark Horse’s product offering with a specific focus on coffee‑related knowledge.

Execute Dark Horse payroll process including cash management, cleanliness, ordering, scheduling and payroll systems, food safety, health & safety, hiring and make recommendations as to how these systems can be refined and improved.

Act as cafe owner by troubleshooting issues, filling in on the floor and supporting when issues arise as necessary.

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Management level experience in cafes or quick service restaurants directly serving customers and leading teams.

Experience managing inventory and balancing quality and cost effectively.

Strong FOH experience with a proven ability to excel in customer service and hospitality.

Well‑developed personal brand and a proven ability to build relationships across an industry or sector; connections in Toronto coffee a plus.

Comfortable with key hospitality software including POS, scheduling and purchasing systems.

Highly accountable and well‑organised, with an ability to oversee a team of staff and prioritise multiple projects effectively.

An insatiable curiosity and willingness to learn, anchored in a constant pursuit of personal development.

Collaborative and innovative consensus builder that solicits 360‑degree feedback and can inspire and influence staff, consumers and other stakeholders.

A positive ambassador with strong communication skills and a genuine kindness.

Pay And Schedule

Expected hours: 40 - 44 hours per week.

Hourly wage of up to $24.00 per hour, depending on experience.

Eligibility for benefits is subject to plan terms and waiting periods.

Participation in customer gratuities in accordance with our tip allocation policy.

This position also participates in gratuities provided by customers, according to our tip allocation policy, as well as variable compensation related to the topline success.

What We Offer A fast‑paced and supportive environment with opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to an exciting and evolving business.

Big League Food Company (parent company of Dark Horse Espresso Bar) represents the next generation of beloved food brands. Our goal is to preserve the magic of local food brands while building category leaders.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and value diversity in our workplace.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, accommodations will be provided throughout the recruitment and selection process. If you are invited to participate and require accommodation, please let us know in advance.

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