Job Description

Job Location: Atlanta Police and Fire Academy - Atlanta, GA 30316, Proof of the Pudding has spent the past 42 years providing innovative menus, services, design expertise and event experiences to clients throughout Atlanta and beyond.

We are seeking an experienced Cafeteria Manager to lead the daily food and beverage operations at the Atlanta Police Training Facility. This position will be responsible for the overall day-to-day operation of the cafeteria, with a strong focus on front-of-house service, dining room standards, team leadership, POS management, menu design, scheduling, and overall guest experience. The ideal candidate is a hands-on hospitality leader who is organized, service-focused, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, and able to build a strong partnership with both the culinary team and the facility client.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the daily operation of the cafeteria, ensuring consistent, efficient, and professional service.
• Lead all front-of-house operations, including service areas, cashier stations, beverage areas, and the dining room.
• Maintain a visible, hands-on management presence during operating hours and peak meal periods.
• Create employee schedules based on business needs, anticipated volume, labor targets, and facility requirements.
• Supervise, train, coach, and develop hourly team members while promoting a positive, accountable workplace culture.
• Manage the POS system, including menu programming, pricing updates, cashier procedures, transaction accuracy, and basic troubleshooting.
• Work closely with culinary leadership on menu design, daily offerings, specials, pricing, presentation, and guest feedback.
• Ensure menus and signage are accurate, professional, current, and clearly displayed.
• Monitor the guest experience and respond promptly and professionally to questions, requests, and service concerns.
• Maintain the dining room and all guest-facing areas to a high standard of cleanliness, organization, appearance, and readiness.
• Ensure opening and closing procedures are completed accurately and consistently.
• Coordinate with the culinary team to ensure food is available, presented properly, replenished on time, and aligned with service demand.
• Monitor product levels and communicate operational needs to help support inventory control, ordering, and waste reduction.
• Follow and enforce company cash-handling, payment, food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety procedures.
• Assist with cost controls by monitoring labor, product usage, waste, and other controllable operating expenses.
• Maintain strong communication with Proof of the Pudding leadership and facility representatives regarding daily operations, service needs, and opportunities for improvement.
• Identify opportunities to improve service flow, efficiency, menu offerings, and the overall cafeteria experience.

Performs other related duties, as required.

Qualifications: Education and/or Experience:

• 2+ years of food and beverage, cafeteria, restaurant, concessions, or hospitality operations experience preferred.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience in a food service environment.
• Experience managing front-of-house operations and hourly employees.
• Working knowledge of POS systems, cash-handling procedures, and basic reporting.
• Experience with staff scheduling and labor management.
• Understanding of food safety, sanitation, cleanliness, and workplace safety standards.
• Menu planning or menu development experience is preferred.
• Must be able to work on-site at the Atlanta Police Training Facility.

Specialized Qualifications

• Excellent listening and communication skills
• Renowned time management and organization skills
• Strong Customer Service skills with the desire to go above and beyond a client’s needs
• The ability to work alone and as a team
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to learn and adapt quickly

CORE VALUE AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

• Business Acumen - Demonstrate comprehension of the job, including policies, practices, and relationships. Possess the expertise and skill levels required of the job and perform with quality.
• Dedication - Dependable, reliable and follows through on projects from inception to completion. Willing to put in as much time as necessary to complete tasks. Demonstrate a win-win attitude: “see it, own it, solve it.”
• Ethics and Integrity - Acts with integrity, honesty and knowledge that promote the company’s culture, values and beliefs while maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.
• Safety & Security - Observe safety and security standards. Use equipment and materials properly. Comply with safety standards and personal protective equipment requirements. Report potential unsafe conditions or practices to appropriate person immediately. Promote restaurant safety, cleanliness and security compliance at all times.
• Teamwork - Cooperate and be willing to work as a team player to achieve goals and tasks accurately, efficiently and timely.
• Communication - Communicate clearly and effectively with mutual respect, understanding and trust to fellow associates, managers, supervisors and guests. Listen carefully to opinions and views of others; state understanding of what has been heard.
• Initiative - Contribute new ideas and suggestions to enhance productivity and efficiency. Be proactive in troubleshooting problems or issues and take action to mitigate potential problems.
• Adaptability & Planning - Possess the ability to learn new tasks and adjusts well to new situations. Perform well under tight time schedules and pressures to change direction quickly.
• Service Orientation - Demonstrates a sense of urgency. Is welcoming, friendly and smiles when visible to guests.

Work Environment

This is a hands-on, on-site management position based at the Atlanta Police Training Facility. The Cafeteria Manager will spend a significant portion of the day in the cafeteria, dining room, and service areas actively leading the team and supporting daily operations. Administrative duties will include scheduling, POS management, menu coordination, reporting, communication, and operational planning.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of standing, moving through an event space, and traveling from venue to venue
• Bending, lifting, scooping, and carrying miscellaneous equipment and food items
• Ability to perform physical tasks; such as but not limited to, lifting approx. 40 lbs.

Position Salary & Benefits

• Salary Range of $55,000-$65,000 per year
• Benefits include health insurance, dental, vision, life, 401k, short & long term disability, HSA, daily lunches in office

Proof of the Pudding and its affiliates are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion and employing a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected characteristics