Cafe Manager Resume Examples & Templates
4 free customizable and printable Cafe Manager samples and templates for 2025. Unlock unlimited access to our AI resume builder for just $9/month and elevate your job applications effortlessly. Generating your first resume is free.
Cafe Manager Resume Examples and Templates
Assistant Cafe Manager Resume Example and Template
What's this resume sample doing right?
Relevant operational achievements
You highlight clear operations wins that match the Assistant Café Manager role. Examples include a 16% revenue increase, 22% waste reduction, and a 10% supplier cost cut at Eataly Milano. Those numbers show you can drive sales, control costs, and improve margins in a high‑volume café.
Strong team leadership and training record
Your resume shows progressive people leadership. You supervised 18 staff, cut time‑to‑fill shifts by 35%, and ran monthly training that raised beverage quality. Those points prove you can coach baristas, improve quality, and keep service consistent across shifts.
Clear skills and industry fit
You list skills that match the job: inventory control, cost control, espresso quality, scheduling, and customer service. Those keywords match typical ATS scans and tell a hiring manager you know both front‑of‑house operations and Italian coffee standards.
How could we improve this resume sample?
Summary could be more concise and targeted
Your intro gives good context but runs long. Tighten it to two short lines that name your years, core strengths, and the value you bring to Caffè Milano. Drop broad phrases and state the measurable result you aim to repeat for the new employer.
Add measurable results for earlier roles
Your Lavazza and Starbucks entries show strong work but lack some numbers. Add metrics like weekly covers, sales lift from initiatives, or reduced remake rates. That fills gaps and strengthens your case for operational impact across employers.
Make ATS and local keywords explicit
Include specific tools and local terms that hiring systems look for. Add POS names, inventory systems, and terms like 'food safety HACCP' or 'cost of goods sold (COGS)'. That raises your match score and shows local compliance knowledge.
Cafe Manager Resume Example and Template
What's this resume sample doing right?
Quantified operational impact
You show clear results tied to operations and revenue, like "€12,000 weekly" and "increased monthly sales by 18%". Those metrics prove you improve profitability and match what a Cafe Manager must deliver. Hiring managers can quickly see your business impact from these figures.
Relevant leadership and training examples
You list direct team leadership outcomes, such as hiring and training 12 staff and reducing overtime by 22%. Those examples show you can build and run a high-performing front-of-house team, which fits the Cafe Manager role perfectly.
Strong skills and keyword alignment
Your skills include inventory control, POS and scheduling systems, and customer experience. Including Lightspeed and Planday helps with ATS matching and signals you know tools commonly used in busy cafés.
Bilingual and hospitality education
You note fluency in French and English and list a BTS in hotel management. That combo supports guest-facing work, supplier negotiation, and staff training in a multilingual café environment.
How could we improve this resume sample?
Summary could highlight specific KPIs
Your intro states strong outcomes but leaves out one clear headline KPI. Add a one-line KPI like annual revenue growth or profit margin improvement to make your value immediate to hiring managers.
Resume formatting may hinder ATS parsing
You used HTML lists in experience descriptions. Convert experience to plain text bullets and avoid complex formatting so ATS reads dates, titles, and achievements reliably.
Add certifications and food safety details
You list hospitality education but no food safety or health certificates. Add HACCP or local food handler certificates and any management training to match employer requirements.
Expand technical keywords for inventory and finance
Mention specific cost-control tools or financial terms like COGS targets, margin, or Excel forecasting. Those keywords help ATS and show you can manage profitability, not just operations.
Senior Cafe Manager Resume Example and Template
What's this resume sample doing right?
Strong use of quantifiable results
You use clear numbers to show impact, like increasing monthly revenue by 22%, cutting waste 28% saving €48K, and reducing turnover 35%. Those concrete figures match what hiring managers for a Senior Cafe Manager want to see and make your achievements easy to compare.
Clear operations and P&L experience
Your resume highlights direct P&L, budgeting, and supplier negotiations that lowered COGS by 7%. You also show daily operational scope—120 seats, 1,200+ customers—so employers can quickly understand the scale you managed.
Strong leadership and food safety focus
You show hiring, training, and coaching for a 35-person team and HACCP compliance with 100% audit results. That combination of team building and food safety fits core responsibilities for a Senior Cafe Manager role.
How could we improve this resume sample?
Make the summary more concise and tailored
Your intro lists strong skills but reads broad. Tighten it to two short sentences that state your value, scale you manage, and top results. Mention P&L ownership, team size, and a key metric to match the Senior Cafe Manager role.
Add specific tools and language keywords
You list core skills but omit common systems and languages. Add POS platforms, inventory tools, scheduling software, and language proficiency. That will help ATS hits and let employers know you can run their tech and communicate with staff.
Improve ATS and layout friendliness
Your content reads strong but templated visuals can hurt ATS parsing. Use simple section headers, avoid graphics or columns, and add a short skills bullet list near the top to boost keyword matching for senior café roles.
Regional Cafe Manager Resume Example and Template
What's this resume sample doing right?
Strong impact metrics
The resume showcases quantifiable achievements, such as increasing sales by 30% and reducing waste by 25%. These metrics are essential for a Cafe Manager role, as they demonstrate the candidate's ability to drive business results effectively.
Relevant experience
With over 10 years in the food and beverage industry and roles that include overseeing multiple cafe locations, the candidate's experience aligns well with the responsibilities expected of a Cafe Manager. This depth of experience strengthens their candidacy.
Clear structure and readability
The resume is well-structured, with distinct sections for experience, education, and skills. This organization aids in easy reading and ATS parsing, making it more likely to catch the attention of hiring managers.
Compelling introduction
The introductory statement clearly highlights the candidate's dynamic nature and focus on results, setting a positive tone for the resume. This aligns well with the qualities sought in a Cafe Manager.
How could we improve this resume sample?
Lacks specific industry keywords
While the skills listed are relevant, the resume could benefit from incorporating more specific keywords related to cafe management, such as 'staff retention', 'cost control', or 'health and safety compliance', to enhance ATS matching.
Limited soft skills representation
The resume mentions 'Team Leadership' and 'Customer Service', but expanding on soft skills like 'Conflict Resolution' or 'Communication' would provide a more comprehensive view of the candidate's capabilities as a Cafe Manager.
Need for a tailored summary
The introduction is strong but could be more tailored to emphasize specific qualities or experiences that align with the Cafe Manager role, such as mentioning experience with high-volume settings or customer engagement initiatives.
1. How to write a Cafe Manager resume
Landing a Cafe Manager job can feel frustrating when you see your resume blend into a pile. Wondering how you prove you're ready to run a busy cafe? Hiring managers care about measurable leadership, reliable operations, and clear guest metrics. Many applicants focus too much on duties and flashy design instead of outcomes.
This guide will help you rewrite your resume to show leadership and operational wins. Whether you want to sharpen your summary or quantify your inventory results, you'll get clear examples. It shows how you can improve your work history and skills sections with metrics and action verbs. After reading you'll have a resume that clearly shows what you deliver.
Use the right format for a Cafe Manager resume
Pick the resume format that shows your strengths clearly. Use chronological if you have steady cafe or food-service experience. This format lists jobs from newest to oldest. It makes career growth and promotions easy to see.
Use a combination format if you have gaps or a mix of hospitality and retail roles. Put skills first, then a short work history. Use a functional format only when you need to hide long gaps or shift careers.
- Chronological: best for steady cafe experience and clear advancement.
- Combination: best when you have transferable skills from other roles.
- Functional: use sparingly, mainly for career changers with little cafe history.
Keep the layout ATS-friendly. Use simple section headings, no columns, no tables, and standard fonts. Use keywords from the job ad, like "inventory" or "barista training."
Craft an impactful Cafe Manager resume summary
Your summary should tell a hiring manager who you are in one short block. It should show what you do, how long you’ve done it, and a key outcome.
Use a summary if you have several years of cafe or management experience. Use an objective if you’re entry-level or switching industries. A strong summary follows this formula:
- [Years of experience] + [Specialization] + [Key skills] + [Top achievement]
Keep it 2–4 lines. Add 2–3 keywords from the job ad. That boosts ATS matches. Focus on results and leadership rather than duties.
Good resume summary example
Experienced summary (for a Cafe Manager):
"6+ years managing high-volume cafes, focused on team coaching, inventory control, and guest experience. Reduced food waste 28% while raising average order value 12% through menu upsells and staff training. Strong in scheduling, POS systems, and vendor relations."
Why this works:
It states years, core skills, and a specific result. It uses measurable impact and keywords like "inventory" and "POS."
Entry-level/career-change objective:
"Hospitality professional transitioning to cafe management. Trained in barista skills and customer service, with experience coordinating teams and handling inventory. Eager to apply scheduling and vendor-relations skills to improve cafe flow and guest satisfaction."
Why this works:
It shows transferable skills, intent, and what the candidate will bring. It keeps the focus on value, not just learning.
Bad resume summary example
"Experienced manager seeking a Cafe Manager role where I can contribute to team success and guest satisfaction. Hardworking and reliable, willing to learn and take on responsibility."
Why this fails:
The statement is vague and duty-focused. It lacks years, specific skills, and measurable outcomes. It uses generic words like "hardworking," which don't help ATS or hiring managers.
Highlight your Cafe Manager work experience
List jobs in reverse-chronological order. For each job, show Job Title, Company, City, and Dates. Use short bullets under each role.
Start bullets with strong action verbs. Tie each bullet to results when you can. Use numbers, percentages, or timeframes to quantify impact.
Examples of verbs for a Cafe Manager: trained, reduced, scheduled, negotiated, implemented, cut. Use the STAR approach when drafting bullets. State the Situation, the Task, the Action you took, and the Result. Keep each bullet to one idea.
Align skills and keywords to the job posting. ATS looks for exact phrases like "inventory management," "staff scheduling," or "health and safety." Put those phrases naturally in bullets and the summary.
Good work experience example
"Managed inventory and ordering for a 120-seat cafe, negotiating with three vendors to cut ingredient costs 18% while maintaining quality."
Why this works:
It starts with a strong verb, names the scope, and gives a clear, measurable result. It uses keywords relevant to hiring managers and ATS.
Bad work experience example
"Handled inventory, ordering, and vendor relations to keep the cafe stocked and running smoothly."
Why this fails:
The bullet lists duties but gives no scale or measurable result. It uses vague phrases like "running smoothly," which don't show impact.
Present relevant education for a Cafe Manager
List School Name, Degree, and Graduation Year or Expected Date. Include city if relevant. Put education near the top if you’re a recent grad.
If you graduated recently, add GPA if it’s 3.5 or higher. Include relevant coursework, like food safety, hospitality, or business classes. Experienced managers can move education to the bottom. Add certifications here or in a separate section. Show ServSafe, food handler, or management certificates.
Good education example
"Associate of Applied Science, Hospitality Management — Rohan, Stehr and Breitenberg College, 2018. Relevant coursework: Food Safety, Cost Control, Customer Service. ServSafe Certified, 2019."
Why this works:
It lists degree, school, year, and relevant coursework. It includes a key certification that hiring managers want.
Bad education example
"Business studies — local college. Graduated 2016."
Why this fails:
It lacks the degree name, coursework, and location. It doesn’t show certifications or relevance to cafe operations.
Add essential skills for a Cafe Manager resume
Technical skills for a Cafe Manager resume
Soft skills for a Cafe Manager resume
Include these powerful action words on your Cafe Manager resume
Use these impactful action verbs to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities:
Add additional resume sections for a Cafe Manager
You can add Projects, Certifications, Awards, or Volunteer Experience. Pick sections that show relevant skills.
List certifications like ServSafe or management courses higher. Add a Projects section if you led a menu launch or inventory system rollout. Include languages if you serve a diverse customer base.
Good example
Project: "POS Migration — Stoltenberg-Rosenbaum Cafe (2022). Led a three-week migration to Toast POS. Trained 12 staff, reduced average checkout time by 22%, and cut daily cash discrepancies by 60%."
Why this works:
It states the project goal, your role, clear actions, and measurable outcomes. It shows leadership and technical skill.
Bad example
Volunteer: "Helped at community food fair. Served coffee and assisted guests."
Why this fails:
The entry shows willingness to help but gives no impact or scope. It misses opportunities to highlight leadership or measurable results.
2. ATS-optimized resume examples for a Cafe Manager
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software tools that scan resumes for keywords and structure. They help hiring teams sort applicants faster. If your resume confuses the ATS, it may never reach a human reader.
You should write your resume so ATS reads it easily. Use clear section titles like "Work Experience", "Education", and "Skills". Keep dates and job titles simple and standard.
- Include role-specific keywords: "inventory management", "staff scheduling", "POS systems".
- Mention certifications like "ServSafe" or "Food Handlers".
- Add measurable results such as "reduced food waste 15%" or "increased morning sales 12%".
Avoid complex formatting that trips ATS. Don't use tables, text boxes, headers, footers, or images. Stick to single-column layout and plain fonts like Arial or Calibri.
File choice matters. Save as .docx or a simple PDF and avoid heavily designed templates. Make sure your contact info appears in the main body, not in a header or footer.
Watch common mistakes. Don't replace key terms with creative synonyms like "people wrangler" instead of "team lead". Don’t hide skills inside images or graphics. Don’t omit core cafe skills like "cash handling" or "barista training".
Finally, tailor each resume to the job posting. Mirror the exact keywords when they match your experience. That step improves how often ATS ranks you higher.
ATS-compatible example
Skills: POS systems, Staff Scheduling, Inventory Management, Cost Control, Cash Handling, Barista Training, Customer Service, ServSafe Certified
Work Experience
Cafe Manager, Rice and Sons — 2019-2024
- Managed team of 10 and created rotating schedules to cut overtime 18%.
- Used POS reports to adjust ordering and reduced food waste 15%.
- Led ServSafe training and maintained 99% health inspection score.
Why this works: This layout uses clear headers and role keywords that ATS expects. It lists measurable results and includes certifications that match cafe manager postings.
ATS-incompatible example
| About Me |
| People wrangler who loves coffee and vibes. Expert at making mornings better. |
Experience
Manager, Will — 2020-2023
- Handled things and helped team do stuff.
- Made the shop run smoothly.
Why this fails: The resume uses a table, vague phrases, and playful synonyms. ATS may skip the table and miss critical keywords like "inventory" or "POS". The result lowers your match score.
3. How to format and design a Cafe Manager resume
Pick a clean, professional template that shows your Cafe Manager skills quickly. Use a reverse-chronological or hybrid layout so your recent manager roles appear first. Those layouts read well and parse easily for ATS systems.
Keep length tight. One page works for entry and mid-level managers. Use two pages only if you have many years of direct cafe management experience and clear, relevant achievements.
Use simple, ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text at 10–12pt and headers at 14–16pt. Keep line spacing at about 1.0–1.15 and add space between sections for breathing room.
Structure your resume with clear headings: Contact, Summary, Experience, Skills, Education, Certifications, and Relevant Training. Use short bullet points under each job. Start bullets with strong action verbs and show numbers when you can, like sales growth or staff size.
Avoid common mistakes. Don’t use complex columns, images, or decorative icons that break ATS parsing. Don’t pick unusual fonts or heavy color schemes. Don’t cram text with tiny margins or dense blocks of paragraphs.
Focus on readability and relevance. Lead with your cafe operations wins, staff training, inventory control, and customer service metrics. Make each line earn its place and make the hiring manager’s job easy.
Well formatted example
Header: Minh Smith DDS — Cafe Manager · (555) 555-5555 · email@example.com · City, State
Experience
- Bode LLC — Cafe Manager · 2020–Present
- Managed 12 staff and hired 4 baristas. Reduced food waste by 22% through portion controls.
- Increased morning sales 18% by redesigning prep and opening routines.
Skills
- Inventory control · Staff training · POS systems · Scheduling
This layout uses clear headings, short bullets, and measurable results. It uses an ATS-friendly font and consistent spacing.
Why this works: The format highlights management results first. Hiring managers scan it fast. ATS reads it cleanly, so your experience gets parsed correctly.
Poorly formatted example
Header: Tawanda Hane — Cafe Manager — email@example.com — (555) 555-5555
Experience
A long paragraph describing duties at Tromp Group with lots of text and no bullets. Talks about running the cafe, training staff, ordering stock, handling payroll, and doing community events all in one block. Uses small font and narrow margins to fit everything on one page.
Skills
A crowded table with icons for skills and a colored sidebar with hobbies and references.
Why this fails: ATS may not read sidebars or icons. Large paragraphs hide key achievements. The layout makes it hard for a hiring manager to find your top café management wins quickly.
4. Cover letter for a Cafe Manager
Why a tailored cover letter matters
A tailored cover letter shows you care about the Cafe Manager role and the company. It complements your resume by explaining fit and motivation. You can show personality and situational examples the resume cannot.
Key sections
- Header: Put your contact info, the company's name, and the date. Add the hiring manager's name if you know it.
- Opening paragraph: Say the Cafe Manager role you want and why you like the company. Lead with your top qualification or where you found the posting.
- Body paragraphs (1–3): Link your experience to the job needs. Describe key projects and technical skills like inventory management, POS systems, and staff scheduling. Mention soft skills like coaching and problem solving. Use numbers to show impact, such as sales growth or waste reduction. Mirror keywords from the job description.
- Closing paragraph: Restate your interest in this Cafe Manager role and the company. State that you can help improve service or ops. Ask for an interview and thank the reader.
Tone and tailoring
Write like you speak to a hiring manager. Keep your tone professional, confident, and warm. Use short sentences and active verbs. Customize each letter. Swap specifics for every cafe and opening.
Practical tips
Open with a strong hook that ties you to the cafe. Use two to three concrete achievements. End with a clear next step.
Sample a Cafe Manager cover letter
Dear Hiring Team,
I am applying for the Cafe Manager position at Starbucks. I admire Starbucks' focus on customer experience and team development.
I bring seven years of cafe leadership and hands-on operations work. I supervised teams of up to 15 baristas and managed weekly schedules. I improved morning service speed and increased customer satisfaction scores.
I led a waste-reduction program that cut food waste by 18 percent in six months. I tightened inventory controls and negotiated supplier terms to lower costs. I also trained staff on a new POS system and cut transaction times by 20 percent.
I coach teams to deliver consistent service. I run daily briefings and use roleplay to build confidence. I handle hiring, training, and performance reviews to keep turnover low.
I am excited to bring these skills to Starbucks. I am confident I can boost sales and streamline operations at your location. I would welcome a chance to discuss how I can help your team.
Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Alex Morgan
5. Mistakes to avoid when writing a Cafe Manager resume
When you apply for a Cafe Manager role, small resume mistakes can cost interviews. Recruiters look for clear leadership, food safety knowledge, and numbers that prove your impact.
Spend time fixing vague wording, typos, and missing keywords. A tight, factual resume helps you get to the interview faster.
Vague duty lists instead of achievements
Mistake Example: "Managed daily cafe operations and supervised staff."
Correction: Show results and scope. Use numbers and outcomes.
Good Example: "Managed daily operations for a 60-seat cafe. Scheduled 8 staff and cut labor costs by 12% through shift optimization."
Failing to quantify impact
Mistake Example: "Improved sales and customer satisfaction."
Correction: Add metrics and timeframes. Numbers make claims believable.
Good Example: "Raised monthly sales by 18% in six months by launching a brunch menu and targeted social posts."
Omitting key cafe skills and keywords
Mistake Example: "Responsible for front-of-house duties and inventory."
Correction: Include role-specific keywords for ATS and hiring managers.
Good Example: "POS (Square), staff scheduling, inventory management, vendor negotiation, health inspection compliance."
Typos and sloppy formatting
Mistake Example: "Managed staf, handled cashing up" with inconsistent fonts and spacing.
Correction: Proofread and keep layout clean. Use one font and consistent bullets.
Good Example: "Managed staff, handled cashing up, and prepared weekend sales reports." Run spellcheck, then read aloud once.
Listing irrelevant details
Mistake Example: "Hobbies: hiking, painting, video games, baking since age 8."
Correction: Keep hobbies that support the role. Add leadership or food-related items only.
Good Example: "Volunteer barista for community events. Lead small team bake-offs and pop-up service."
6. FAQs about Cafe Manager resumes
Use these FAQs and tips to shape your Cafe Manager resume. They focus on skills, format, and how to show leadership and operations experience. Follow the advice to make your qualifications clear and easy for hiring managers to scan.
What key skills should I list on a Cafe Manager resume?
What key skills should I list on a Cafe Manager resume?
Highlight skills that match daily cafe work and leadership.
- Operations: inventory control, ordering, cost tracking.
- People: staff scheduling, training, conflict resolution.
- Service: customer relations, POS systems, quality control.
- Finance: cash handling, basic budgeting, sales reporting.
Which resume format works best for a Cafe Manager role?
Which resume format works best for a Cafe Manager role?
Use a reverse-chronological format if you have steady cafe experience.
Use a functional or hybrid format if you have gaps or switch from another field. Put your management wins near the top.
How long should my Cafe Manager resume be?
How long should my Cafe Manager resume be?
Keep it to one page if you have under 10 years of experience.
Use two pages only if you have extensive multi-site management or strong metrics to show.
How do I show projects or a portfolio for cafe work?
How do I show projects or a portfolio for cafe work?
Include short bullet points for specific projects and outcomes.
- Example: launched seasonal menu, raised average check by 12% in three months.
- Example: reduced waste by 18% after inventory process change.
- Link to photos, menus, or SOPs if you host a portfolio online.
How should I explain employment gaps on my resume?
How should I explain employment gaps on my resume?
Be honest and brief. State the reason and what you did during the gap.
- Example: "Family leave; completed food safety certification and freelanced as a barista."
- Keep focus on skills you maintained or updated.
Pro Tips
Quantify Your Results
List numbers for sales, labor cost reduction, customer satisfaction, and staff retention. Numbers prove your impact and help hiring managers compare you quickly.
Lead with Management Wins
Put supervisory achievements near the top of your resume. Mention team size, scheduling improvements, training programs, and any repeatable systems you created.
Tailor Keywords to the Job
Scan the job post and reuse key terms like "inventory control," "POS," or "food safety." Tailoring helps you pass applicant tracking checks and shows fit.
7. Key takeaways for an outstanding Cafe Manager resume
You've got the skills to run a cafe; this quick summary pulls the key resume tips together.
- Use a clean, professional, ATS-friendly format with clear headings and readable fonts.
- Lead with a short profile that highlights your cafe leadership, staff training, and customer service strengths.
- List relevant skills like inventory control, POS systems, scheduling, food safety, and team coaching.
- Use strong action verbs like led, reduced, trained, and improved to describe your work.
- Quantify achievements where you can: sales growth, labor cost reduction, customer satisfaction scores, or team size.
- Mirror job ads and include job-relevant keywords naturally so ATS picks up your experience.
- Keep content tight, prioritize recent management roles, and show clear impact per bullet.
Ready to polish it? Try a template or resume builder, then apply to roles that match your cafe leadership skills.
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