General Manager of The Cafe at Thistle Farms

Job DetailsJob Location: Corporate Headquarters - Nashville, TN 37209Position Type: Full TimeJob Category: Restaurant - Food ServiceDepartment: Café at Thistle Farms    Reports to: Vice President of Operations & Finance Pay Grade: 8-E Director/Senior-Level Support  Pay Range: $60,000 - $89,000    Job Summary  Thistle Farms is a nonprofit justice enterprise dedicated to helping women survivors recover and heal from prostitution, trafficking, and addiction. We do this by providing a safe place to live, meaningful jobs, and a lifelong sisterhood of support.  The General Manager is a key leader responsible for ushering in and supporting the next era of the Café at Thistle Farms, one that deepens our commitment to healing, economic opportunity, and community connection. The General Manager leads all Café operations, including supervision of the Head Chef, the front-of-house team and the Café and Catering & Events team, to ensure operational excellence, financial sustainability, and a welcoming, mission-centered environment for guests, employees, volunteers, and community partners.  At the heart of this role is the development of people. The General Manager is responsible for training, coaching, and supporting a team largely made up of individuals in recovery, ensuring a workplace that is trauma-informed, growth-oriented, and grounded in dignity. This leader creates pathways for skill-building, confidence, and advancement, while holding clear standards that support both individual success and strong business outcomes.  The General Manager also plays a critical role in positioning the Café as a true “third place” for the community, a welcoming, inclusive space beyond home and work where people gather, connect, and experience the mission of Thistle Farms in a tangible way.    Direct Reports: Head Chef, Front-of-House Team, Catering & Events Coordinator, and Banquet Manager    Duties & Responsibilities:  Operational Leadership & Café Management  Oversee all daily café operations, ensuring a high standard of hospitality, efficiency, cleanliness, and guest satisfaction   Lead front-of-house operations including service standards, staffing coordination, scheduling, and workflow management   Ensure alignment and collaboration between front-of-house, kitchen, catering, and events teams  Create and maintain operational systems, policies, and procedures that support consistency and accountability   Monitor and improve operational performance, guest experience, and team effectiveness  Directly manages the Head Chef, who oversees the creation, development, and delivery of all food and beverage offerings across the Café, catering, events, and afternoon tea service  Partners with the Head Chef to coordinate, manage and develop the Catering and Sales Team  Administratively, the General Manager:  Handles employee discipline in accordance with company policy  Creates weekly staff and volunteer schedules  Finalizes biweekly payroll  Approves mileage and reimbursements  Manages time-off requests  Team Leadership & Staff Development  Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of staff and volunteers, many of whom are in recovery, with a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach  Create a culture of belonging, accountability, and growth that supports high retention and meaningful employment pathways  Design and oversee training programs that build both technical skills and confidence, with clear pathways for advancement  Serve as a steady, supportive presence, balancing compassion with clear expectations and consistency  Guest Experience + Community Building  Ensure an exceptional, consistent, and welcoming guest experience rooted in hospitality and care  Champion the Café as a “third place” for the community, warm, inviting, and reflective of Thistle Farms’ mission and values  Support workforce development and social enterprise initiatives connected to the café  Represent the café professionally in the community and at organizational events   Collaborate with organizational leadership on initiatives that expand the café’s impact and visibility  Regularly evaluate customer experience through feedback and implement improvements  Model and recognize outstanding hospitality and service  Catering, Events & Hospitality Oversight  Provide leadership and oversight for catering operations, afternoon tea experiences, private events, and community gatherings   Partner with the Head Chef and Catering & Events team to ensure successful planning and execution of all events   Support the growth and promotion of catering and hospitality offerings as a revenue-generating social enterprise   Ensure event experiences reflect the mission, brand, and hospitality standards of Thistle Farms   Develop relationships with community partners, organizations, and guests to expand awareness and engagement  Operations + Financial Performance  Manage café operational performance with attention to revenue growth, labor management, and expense control   Partner with leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning   Monitor key operational and financial metrics, identifying opportunities for efficiency and growth   Support pricing strategy and operational decisions in partnership with the Head Chef   Review and approve operational purchases and vendor relationships within budget guidelines   Contribute to the continued development and sustainability of the café as a nonprofit social enterprise   Manage administrative functions including hiring, scheduling, payroll, budgeting, inventory, and financial reporting  Maintain POS systems and ensure operational accuracy  Food, Beverage + Product Excellence  Partner with the Head Chef on menu development to ensure offerings are fresh, high-quality, and aligned with brand and guest expectations  Ensure consistency and excellence in all food and beverage execution  Collaborate with the Head Chef to identify local suppliers and community partners to source ingredients and products that reflect values and support artisans  Compliance + Safety  Ensure all food safety, health, and safety standards are met and consistently upheld  Maintain proper use and care of all Café equipment  Exercise sound judgment in resolving operational and personnel issues  Other duties as assigned  QualificationsRequired Skills/Qualifications  Proven experience in restaurant or hospitality management; experience in nonprofit or social enterprise environments strongly preferred  Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop teams, ideally with experience supporting individuals in recovery or navigating trauma-informed environments  Strong financial acumen and ability to manage budgets and interpret performance metrics  Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills  Strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail  Ability to balance compassion with accountability in a dynamic environment  Ability to remain calm and effective in high-paced or challenging situations  Knowledge of food, beverage, and event industry standards and trends  Awareness and understanding of trauma-informed care principles  Nurturing, steady, and patient leadership style  7+ years of hospitality management experience  Proficiency in Microsoft Office    Physical Requirements  Typical schedule: 40 hours/week; flexibility required based on Café needs  Requires prolonged standing, bending, lifting (25+ lbs), and repetitive motion  Ability to work with kitchen equipment and standard office systems including POS