Ground Market Retail & Café Manager

About The Ground Market 

Ground Market is a community gathering place in the heart of Carlton, Oregon, in the Willamette Valley—bringing together a wood-fired pizza and ice cream shop alongside a market and farmstand rooted in the region’s agricultural abundance. The space is warm, lively, and welcoming, inviting locals and visitors to connect over simple, good food. 

Ground Market is part of The Ground, a collection of destinations and experiences rooted in a philosophy of conscious, loving hospitality in service to all species. 

Why we need you 

We're looking for a hospitality-driven leader to oversee the daytime operations of the Ground Market retail market and café while sharing leadership of the restaurant. This role is primarily scheduled during mornings and daytime hours, ensuring the market and café are fully prepared for the day while supporting restaurant operations through the lunch transition. As the Retail & Café Manager, you'll create a welcoming and efficient guest experience by leading the morning team, ensuring the market and café are fully stocked, beautifully presented, and operating smoothly from opening through the afternoon. 

This role combines operational leadership with hands-on execution. You'll oversee merchandising, café operations, inventory, and opening procedures while coaching team members and helping ensure every area of Ground Market reflects our commitment to quality, hospitality, and community. 

The Retail & Café Manager reports directly to the Restaurant Manager and works closely with both the Restaurant Manager and Director of Hospitality and Connection to ensure seamless operations across the market, café, and restaurant. 

Primary Areas of Responsibilities  

Market & Café Operations 

• Lead the daily operation of the retail market and café, ensuring exceptional hospitality, merchandising, and operational execution.  
• Oversee coffee service, pastries, grab-and-go offerings, and retail presentation throughout the day.  
• Maintain inventory, product rotation, pricing, signage, and merchandising standards.  
• Coordinate receiving, stocking, and product availability in partnership with culinary and farm teams.  

Opening & Operational Leadership 

• Oversee opening procedures for the entire Ground Market, ensuring all guest-facing areas are clean, stocked, and ready for service.  
• Manage opening cash procedures, operational checklists, and daily readiness.  
• Monitor inventory levels and communicate ordering needs to leadership. 

Shared Leadership Responsibilities  

• Support retail and café operations by maintaining merchandising standards, restocking products, and assisting guests as needed.  
• Recruit, train, coach, and develop front-of-house team members.  
• Partner closely with the PM Manager to ensure smooth communication, consistent standards, and seamless transitions between morning and evening operations. 
• Assist with scheduling, performance management, inventory management, and special events.  
• Foster a collaborative culture while supporting the overall success of Ground Market. 

Qualifications 

• 2–4 years of leadership experience in retail, café, hospitality, or food service operations.  
• Experience overseeing merchandising, inventory management, or specialty retail operations.  
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.  
• Passion for hospitality, presentation, and creating welcoming guest experiences.  
• Barista experience or willingness to become proficient.  
• Experience managing inventory, receiving, and product merchandising preferred.  
• Strong leadership, coaching, and communication skills.  
• Comfortable using POS systems and standard business technology.  
• Ability to work early mornings, weekends, and holidays.  
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds. 

Manager: This position will report directly to the Ground Market Restaurant Manager. 

Working conditions: Position requires prolonged standing, bending, and lifting products and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds 

Experience: 2–4 years of experience in hospitality, retail, café, or restaurant environments, including prior leadership experience preferred 

Benefits: Benefits include health, vision, dental, life insurance, 401(k), PTO for qualifying employees 

Comp: $58,000-$60,000 annual salary 

Work Location: This position is based in Carlton, OR.  

The Ground is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.