Whimsy & Wonder Play Cafe Cafe Operations & Kitchen Manager Ankeny, IA · Full time

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About Whimsy & Wonder Play Cafe Whimsy & Wonder Play Cafe is Ankeny's newest family destination, combining custom indoor play areas for kids up to age 10 with a modern, high-quality cafe for parents and caregivers. Why We're Different: Elevated Hospitality: We provide a clean, modern, and thoughtfully designed environment where adults can relax while kids engage in imaginative, active play. Clean-Label & Quality Focus: Our cafe emphasizes premium coffee, craft beverages, and high-quality menu options. We believe the right food can help create better behavioral outcomes! Community & Connection: We host memorable private birthday parties, special events, and daily open play, operating with high operational standards and a supportive team culture.

Company: Whimsy & Wonder Play Cafe (LeHoltz Collective LLC)

Location: Ankeny, IA

Position Type: Full-Time Hourly (Non-Exempt, phased onboarding)

Compensation: $22.00 – $25.00+ per hour (commensurate with experience)

Reports To: Owner & CEO

Direct Reports: Cafe Attendants and Baristas

Facility Access: Keyholder (Opening/Closing Authority, Alarm System & POS Manager Access)

Estimated Start Date: September 15, 2026 – September 30, 2026

About Whimsy & Wonder Play Cafe

Whimsy & Wonder Play Cafe is an imaginative, clean, and engaging indoor play space for children paired with a full-service espresso bar and cafe serving high-quality coffee, specialty drinks, and curated food for parents and caregivers.

Ideal Candidate

You are a skilled, detail-oriented leader with proven, hands-on experience in food service operations, cafe workflows, and kitchen management. You understand the discipline required to oversee a clean, safe, and efficient cafe food operation, manage grab-and-go displays, maintain holding cabinets, and ensure strict health code compliance.

You thrive in a welcoming, family-first environment and recognize that our cafe is a sanctuary for parents and caregivers. Bringing a strong work ethic, high standards for quality and consistency, and a creative eye for daily presentation, you are just as energized by running a smooth morning counter rush as you are managing inventory, ordering, and prep. You are patient, adaptable, and excited to build a vibrant community hub while growing alongside the business.

Key Responsibilities

1. Food & Beverage Operations, Assembly & Quality Control

• Oversee the daily preparation, heating, assembly, and safety of all food, snack, and bakery items.
• Enforce exact portioning, recipe accuracy, presentation standards, and safe food-handling practices across all shift team members.
• Manage the rotation, stocking, and visual presentation of food display cases, grab-and-go units, refrigerators, freezers, and bakery items to minimize waste and ensure maximum freshness.
• Coordinate weekly with the Event Experience & Specialty Coffee Manager to forecast party food requirements, verify catering/snack platters, and align service timing for weekend celebrations.

2. Food Safety, Sanitation & Health Compliance

• Maintain strict, non-negotiable compliance with local and state health department regulations and food safety guidelines.
• Serve as the primary on-site lead for local health department inspections.
• Maintain digital logs for refrigeration, holding temperatures, sanitizer stations, and dishwashing equipment.
• Enforce date-labeling, allergen safeguards, and FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory rotation.
• Keep the prep area, warming stations, refrigeration units, dish station, and customer seating areas spotlessly clean, sanitized, and organized.

3. Inventory, Purchasing & Cost Control

• Conduct weekly inventory counts for all food items, pastries, bakery goods, dairy/alternatives, paper goods, packaging, and cleaning/sanitation supplies.
• Manage vendor relationships, place timely supply orders (e.g., Martin Bros.), and control Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) through proactive waste tracking and portion control.
• Receive food deliveries, ensuring proper temperature checks, safe storage, and immediate stocking.

4. Team Leadership & Daily Operations

• Lead daily shift operations, direct team workflows across the food prep and counter areas, and maintain warm, fast-paced customer service.
• Train, mentor, and hold staff accountable to strict health department standards, food assembly procedures, and cleanliness checklists.
• Oversee opening and closing checklists, equipment maintenance, and prep schedules.
• Act as primary morning Keyholder: unlock the facility, disarm the security system, verify holding temperatures, and balance opening cash drawers.
• Provide agile cross-backup support for front-counter register transactions and customer service during peak play and cafe rushes.

5. Content Collaboration & Marketing

• Maintain photo-ready presentation across all food display cases and cafe merchandise.
• Capture high-quality photos and short-form video clips featuring food items, bakery specials, and behind-the-scenes cafe energy.
• Collaborate with the Owner to plan, post, and execute cafe-related social media content and highlight menu rollouts to drive foot traffic.

Pre-Opening Phase & Schedule Expectations

• Pre-Opening Month (Setup & Onboarding Phase — Sept 15 to Oct 15): Reduced/flexible hours dedicated to kitchen setup, warming equipment commissioning, vendor integration, menu testing, staff training, and pre-opening marketing preparation.
• Soft Launch (Weeks 1–2): Initial 20 hours/week (two 10-hour management shifts across Saturday and Sunday operating days).
• Expanded Schedule (Weeks 3–12): 32 hours/week across 4 operational days (Friday through Monday opening shifts, e.g., 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM).
• Full Operating Schedule (Post Year-End): 35–40 hours per week across regular operational schedules. Weekend availability during peak morning/afternoon play and cafe hours is required.

Mandatory Certifications & Prerequisites

• ServSafe Food Manager Certification: Active/current and must maintain throughout employment.
• CPR / First Aid Certification: Active/current or obtained within 30 days of hire.
• Management Experience: Minimum 2+ years of direct supervisory or management experience in a food service environment (cafe, restaurant, deli, fast-casual, or bakery) with direct responsibility for food handling, health codes, inventory, and staff leadership.
• Technical Familiarity: Hands-on familiarity operating commercial cafe equipment (commercial warming cabinets, rapid-cook ovens, refrigeration, and dishwashing stations). Proficiency with Point of Sale (POS) and digital inventory management.
• Transportation & Screening: Valid driver’s license, reliable personal vehicle, and active auto insurance for occasional local supply errands. Must pass pre-employment background screening (county/state criminal history, sex offender registry, and motor vehicle report).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (up to 8 hours per shift).
• Ability to safely lift, carry, and maneuver up to 40 lbs (e.g., bulk food boxes, dairy crates, supply deliveries).
• Bending, reaching, stooping, and repetitive hand/wrist motions required for food preparation, assembly, packaging, and kitchen sanitation.

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay Rate: $22.00 – $25.00+ per hour (commensurate with experience), paid bi-weekly via direct deposit.
• Health Benefits Reimbursement: Eligibility for a monthly tax-free health insurance stipend provided through a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) to help cover individual health plan premiums following an initial introductory review period.