Bench General Manager

Role overview

The Bench General Manager is a development-focused leadership role designed to prepare the right candidate to take over a designated home store and guide its team. The position includes close partnership with the District Manager, day-to-day exposure to store operations, and direct learning from current managers to build the skills needed for long-term success in a future store leadership role.

About the company

Equator Coffees began in 1995 when founders Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell started roasting coffee in a Marin County garage with a strong focus on responsible green coffee sourcing and exceptional roasting. Over more than 30 years, the company has remained committed to sustainable and fair trade coffee practices. Today, it operates as a retail and wholesale coffee roaster and coffee farm owner with twelve retail cafes across California, including locations in Marin, San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, and beyond. The company is known for progressive partnerships with Michelin-starred chefs, specialty grocers, and tech campuses, and is women-owned, LGBTQ-founded, and certified as a B Corp, as well as an early supporter of Fair Trade and Regenerative Organic standards.

Reporting structure

• This role reports to the District Manager.
• Direct supervision includes Shift Leads, Baristas, and Food Prep team members.

What the role involves

This position is centered on learning how to run a high-performing café while supporting the store’s operational and financial health. The manager will shadow existing leaders, build capability in hiring and training, and help develop employees with guidance from experienced mentors. The role also includes creating balanced schedules, managing payroll accurately, handling customer concerns quickly, and partnering with the District Manager to improve sales, track KPIs, and identify opportunities to strengthen performance.

Compensation

The annual salary for this position is $72,000. Compensation may vary based on experience.

Employment details

• Classification: Exempt
• This is a full-time position.
• Work is on-site in San Francisco, CA.
• The role commonly requires more than 45 hours per week.
• Schedule flexibility is expected, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications and requirements

• Strong enthusiasm for coffee, with the ability to inspire that interest in others.
• Management background in specialty coffee, retail, hospitality, and/or customer service.
• Preferred experience running a profitable and operationally strong single café or restaurant.
• Current state-issued SERVSafe Manager certification is required.
• Experience with recruiting, hiring, and supervising staff.
• Well-developed leadership, relationship-building, team-building, and conflict resolution abilities.
• Professional maturity and sound judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and carry out organizational goals.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Comfort making independent decisions.
• Ability to stay effective in a fast-moving environment and handle changing priorities.
• Experience reviewing financial reports and working to budget.
• Familiarity with POS touchscreens, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and general computer systems.
• Minimum education of a high school diploma or GED.
• Bilingual Spanish and English is preferred.

Benefits and perks

• Commuter benefits for pre-tax parking and transit expenses.
• Employee Assistance Program with no-cost coaching for physical and mental health, plus financial and legal support.
• Free mental health app subscription.
• Employee discount on merchandise, coffee gear, and café purchases.
• Access to continuing coffee education classes.
• Free coffee.
• Paid time off for voting on Election Day.
• Health coverage available after 60 days for eligible full-time employees working more than 30 hours per week.
• Employer-paid medical insurance premium.
• Optional dental, vision, long-term disability, pet, and supplemental life insurance plans.
• Employer-paid life insurance premium.
• Flexible Spending Account options for healthcare and dependent care.
• Holiday pay after 90 days, with eight company-observed holidays each year.
• Paid time off with increased accrual for long-tenured full-time employees.
• One paid volunteer day per year.
• 401(k) eligibility after six months with company matching contributions up to 4%.

Additional information

Applicants are encouraged to use the video response feature for screening questions so the hiring team can better understand their experience, communication style, and enthusiasm for the role. The job description reflects the general scope and level of the position and may change based on business needs. Duties are not listed in order of importance. Equator Coffees is an equal opportunity employer and bases hiring, promotion, and termination decisions on merit, performance, and business needs. Employment decisions are made without regard to protected characteristics.