Assistant Operations Manager - Eastern Edge Food Hall

Salary: $55,000 - $65,000 dependent upon experience

About Eastern Edge Food Hall

Eastern Edge Food Hall is a dynamic culinary destination in the heart of Cambridge, MA, created to bring together community, craft, and culture under one roof. Designed as a hybrid gathering space, Eastern Edge blends elevated hospitality with the energy of a modern food hall, where artisan vendors, innovative beverage programs, and thoughtful design converge.

At the core of the experience are Bacaro Café and Eastern Edge's craft-forward beverage program, offering a seamless transition from morning pastries and espresso to afternoon cicchetti and paninetti, and into evening cocktails, spritzes, wine, and beer service. Rooted in sincerity, creativity, and connection, Eastern Edge invites guests to experience thoughtful hospitality throughout every part of the day.

Position Overview

The Assistant Operations Manager supports daily operations across Bacaro Café & Bar and adjacent service areas within Eastern Edge Food Hall. This role oversees café attendants and bartenders/baristas, ensuring consistent execution of food and beverage programs, elevated guest service, and adherence to operational standards across all dayparts.

The Assistant Operations Manager is a hands-on leader who balances floor presence, team support, and operational oversight-bridging morning café service, afternoon transitions, and evening bar operations to deliver a seamless guest experience from open to close.

Service & Hospitality Leadership

• Lead by example in delivering warm, sincere, and anticipatory hospitality aligned with Gather Group Standards of Excellence.
• Support and guide café attendants and bartenders/baristas during service to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and consistent guest engagement.
• Assist with guest interactions, issue resolution, and service recovery as needed.
• Ensure all food and beverage offerings are presented with care, accuracy, and attention to detail.

Food & Beverage Oversight

• Oversee execution of Bacaro Café food offerings, including pastries, cicchetti, paninetti, and salumi/formaggi boards.
• Support beverage operations across coffee, cocktail, wine, and beer service, stepping in as needed.
• Ensure adherence to recipes, portioning, plating standards, and presentation expectations.
• Maintain familiarity with the full food and beverage menu to support staff training and guest guidance.

Daily Operations & Team Support

• Assist with opening and closing procedures across café and bar operations.
• Help coordinate daily staffing needs.
• Provide on-the-job coaching and feedback to ensure team members meet performance and service standards.
• Monitor inventory levels, anticipate upcoming needs based on service volume, and communicate ordering gaps or urgent needs in a timely manner to ensure uninterrupted service.

Inventory, Prep & Sanitation

• Assist with receiving, stocking, and maintaining daily par levels for food, beverage, and café/bar supplies.
• Assist with placing routine food, beverage, and supply orders as directed.
• Oversee proper labeling, dating, rotation, and storage of all food and beverage items (FIFO + ServSafe standards).
• Ensure cleanliness and organization of all service areas, equipment, and prep spaces throughout each shift.
• Monitor quality of prepped items, house-made syrups, garnishes, and café components.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of experience in hospitality, café, bar, or food service operations; supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of café service, light food preparation, and beverage operations.
• Ability to multitask and lead in a fast-paced, multi-concept environment.
• Excellent communication, organization, and team-leadership skills.
• High commitment to consistency, cleanliness, and quality.
• TIPS or equivalent alcohol certification required (or ability to obtain).
• Passion for hospitality, food, and creating memorable guest experiences.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants are given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.