Shift Lead

Fourgrounds Coffee – Plymouth, Michigan

Position Type: Part Time (25-35 hours/week)

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Hourly)

Reports To: Fourgrounds General Manager

Position Summary

The Shift Lead serves as the acting manager on duty during assigned shifts and helps ensure that every guest experience reflects Fourgrounds' standards for hospitality, quality, cleanliness, and teamwork.

Shift Leads are working leaders who actively support café operations while providing direction, coaching, and accountability for the team. They lead by example, maintain a strong guest focus, solve problems in real time, and help create a welcoming environment for both guests and employees.

This position is ideal for individuals who have demonstrated strong performance in hospitality environments and are ready to take on additional responsibility for leadership, communication, training, and daily operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Perform all Barista responsibilities at a high level.

  • Serve as manager on duty during assigned shifts.

  • Lead daily operations by setting expectations, delegating tasks, and maintaining service standards.

  • Coach, train, and support team members during shifts.

  • Assist with onboarding and training new employees.

  • Ensure beverages and food items are prepared according to company recipes and quality standards.

  • Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and guest-ready café environment.

  • Address guest concerns professionally and resolve issues when appropriate.

  • Monitor inventory levels, restock supplies, and communicate ordering needs.

  • Ensure opening, closing, cash handling, and operational procedures are completed accurately.

  • Support food safety, sanitation, security, and workplace safety standards.

  • Monitor team attendance, break compliance, and adherence to company policies.

  • Communicate operational concerns, staffing needs, guest feedback, and maintenance issues to management.

  • Assist with special events, promotions, and community activities.

  • Model Fourgrounds’ values of hospitality, accountability, teamwork, and respect.

  • Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Leadership Responsibilities

  • Lead by example in professionalism, attendance, and customer service.

  • Provide coaching, feedback, and recognition to team members.

  • Promote a positive, inclusive, and respectful work environment.

  • Assist in resolving employee and guest concerns.

  • Identify opportunities to improve operations and the guest experience.

  • Document and communicate performance, attendance, or operational concerns to management as needed.

Qualifications

  • Previous coffee shop, restaurant, retail, or hospitality experience preferred.

  • Previous leadership, supervisory, or key holder experience preferred.

  • Ability to remain calm, positive, and solution-focused during busy periods.

  • Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.

  • Ability to lead and motivate a team in a fast-paced environment.

  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

  • Dependable, punctual, and accountable.

  • Passion for hospitality, coffee, serving the local community, and helping others succeed.

  • Reliable transportation required.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Specialty coffee experience and experience training, coaching, or mentoring team members preferred.

  • Food Handler certification, or willingness to obtain certification if required.

  • Availability to work Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays weekly is required.

  • Availability to work a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, holidays, and special events, with the ability to independently open and close the café.

  • Experience operating a POS system and handling cash transactions.

  • Applicants should include their general availability when applying.

Physical Requirements

  • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and frequently bend, reach, twist, crouch, and perform repetitive hand and wrist movements throughout a shift.

  • Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds and perform general café cleaning, stocking, and operational tasks.

  • Ability to safely work with espresso machines, grinders, hot surfaces, steam, cleaning products, and other food service equipment while effectively communicating with guests and team members in a fast-paced environment.

  • Adhere to company dress code and appearance standards.

Work Environment

  • Fast-paced coffee shop environment with frequent guest interaction.

  • Exposure to hot beverages, food preparation equipment, and varying noise levels.

  • Team-oriented atmosphere focused on hospitality, quality, and community engagement.

What We Offer

  • Hands-on training with clear expectations and ongoing support.

  • A supportive, team-oriented work environment.

  • Employee discounts and eligible benefits.

  • Opportunities for growth and advancement as Fourgrounds Coffee expands.

  • The chance to help build something new from the ground up and make a meaningful impact on our culture and guest experience.

Location:

995 W. Ann Arbor Trail
Plymouth, MI, 48170

To apply: Interested candidates, please submit your resume and cover letter detailing your relevant experience to Jess Harmon, JHarmon@fourgroundscoffee.com

Click HERE to download and complete employment application.

Fourgrounds Coffee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In addition to complying with the requirements of federal law, Fourgrounds Coffee will comply with applicable state and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening, investigative background check, employment/education verifications and reference checks.