Café Manager | Specialty Coffee | Arrowtown
$29–$33 per hour depending on experience | Start ASAP
Lead the café. Build the team. Set the standard.
Wolf Coffee Roasters is looking for an experienced Café Manager to take ownership of our café in Arrowtown and lead our team, coffee, hospitality and day-to-day operations.
We’re a specialty coffee company built around great coffee, genuine connection and creating memorable experiences. Our café is the front line of the Wolf brand. It’s where customers experience us firsthand and where our standards for coffee and hospitality are brought to life.
This is a leadership-first role for someone who wants to build an exceptional team, set high standards, and help take the café and wider business to the next level.
The Role
As Café Manager, you’ll be responsible for leading the café and café team day in, day out.
Your primary focus will be leadership, people, standards and performance. You’ll make sure the team is organised, motivated and performing at a high level, while ensuring every coffee, interaction and detail reflects the Wolf standard.
Wolf is a busy, fast-moving café where there is always a lot happening. We have systems and processes in place, and we’re looking for someone who can help us continue to improve how the café operates. You’ll have the opportunity to introduce practical ideas, improve efficiency and build on what is already working.
Two things sit above everything else:
Coffee. We want Wolf to be recognised as serving the best coffee in Otago. You’ll be responsible for making sure the coffee standards set by our Coffee Training Lead are consistently delivered by the team, every shift, every day.
Hospitality. We don’t just want good service. We want genuine hospitality, noticing people, creating connection and making every guest feel like they matter.
You’ll report to the Operations Manager and work closely with our Coffee Training Lead, Head Roaster and wider leadership team to continually improve the café and keep Wolf moving forward.
What you’ll be responsible for
Team Leadership & Culture
Lead, roster and coach the café team day to day
Own hiring, onboarding and development of café staff
Provide regular feedback, support and 1-on-1s
Manage performance, conduct and team issues directly and fairly
Set clear expectations and hold the team accountable
Build a positive culture based on ownership, pride and high standards
Develop your team and help people reach their potential
Coffee Quality
Ensure Wolf coffee standards are consistently delivered across every shift
Work closely with the Coffee Training Lead to ensure training and technical expectations are being met
Maintain high standards for dial-in, extraction, milk texture and brewing
Run regular quality checks and tastings
Build the team’s coffee and product knowledge
Work closely with the Head Roaster on new releases, single origins and quality feedback
Guest Experience & Hospitality
Own the Wolf guest experience from Welcome through to Departure
Ensure every guest is acknowledged, looked after and made to feel welcome
Set the standard for hospitality, not simply service
Coach the team to develop the skill of “noticing” and acting on the small details
Handle guest complaints and recovery confidently and professionally
Monitor guest feedback and customer experience
Café Operations & Improvement
Ensure the café opens, runs and closes smoothly every day
Manage rostering, stock, ordering and wastage
Maintain high standards of cleanliness, presentation, food safety and hygiene
Keep POS, cash handling and daily systems accurate
Identify and solve bottlenecks, particularly during busy periods
Maintain an awareness of COGS, margins and profitability
Keep café administration organised and up to date
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency and the customer experience
Develop and maintain practical processes, checklists and SOPs where needed
Proactively bring ideas and solutions to the wider leadership team
Wider Wolf Team
Support events, activations and busy periods across the business
Work closely with the Operations Manager, Coffee Training Lead, Head Roaster, Marketing and Wholesale teams
Contribute ideas and feedback that help improve the wider Wolf business
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for an experienced café or hospitality leader who enjoys working with people, takes ownership and wants to make a real impact.
You’ll be someone who:
Has proven experience leading a café or hospitality team
Is confident managing people, performance and accountability
Enjoys developing people and building a strong team culture
Is highly organised, proactive and good at keeping things moving
Has high standards and takes pride in the details
Understands specialty coffee and what great coffee service looks like
Is calm and composed in a busy, fast-moving environment
Has a practical approach to problem-solving and improving the way things are done
Is comfortable jumping on the floor when required to make coffees, serve customers and support the team
Strong leadership and people-management experience will be a major advantage.
What success looks like
Wolf is recognised for serving some of the best coffee in Otago
Customers receive a warm, personal and memorable experience
We maintain a 4.8+ Google rating
The café team is engaged, developing and proud of where they work
The café operates smoothly, consistently and profitably
Why Wolf?
Wolf Coffee Roasters is a growing specialty coffee business with our café at the front line of the brand, supported by our roastery, wholesale and e-commerce operations.
This role gives you the opportunity to have a genuine impact on one of the most important parts of the business. You’ll lead the café team, work alongside our wider leadership and coffee teams, and help shape how the café develops as Wolf continues to grow.
If you’re an experienced café leader who enjoys leading people, setting high standards and continually improving the way things are done, we’d love to hear from you.
Practical details
Pay: $29–$33 per hour depending on experience
Hours: 35+ paid hours per week
Start: We’re looking for someone to start as soon as possible
Location: Arrowtown, Otago
Weekend availability: At least one weekend day will be required. Availability to work both Saturday and Sunday would be preferred.
Ideally, you’ll already be based in Queenstown or the wider Queenstown Lakes area. If you’re relocating for the role, you’ll need to be able to move quickly.
You must hold valid New Zealand work rights.
Apply Now
Applications must be submitted through SEEK.
If you have any questions about the role before applying, feel free to email Leon at [email protected].
Please include your CV and a cover letter telling us a little about yourself, your management and leadership experience, coffee experience and why you think you’d be a good fit for Wolf.