Manager of Education and Training (Manhattan)

About Birch CoffeeBirch Coffee is a specialty coffee company rooted in New York City and built on a simple belief: it's people first, and coffee a close second. While we're certainly known for the quality of our coffee, we believe that the culture of our company and the kindness of our teams are what help us stand out from the crowd. Our five core values, Excellence, Service, Connection, Ownership, and Enthusiasm, aren't just words on a wall, they're the standard we hold ourselves to every day, and the foundation everything is built on.The RoleThis is an opportunity to build and shape the education structure at Birch Coffee, which will impact how Birch Team members grow and develop into our future leaders. The Manager of Education & Training will own the full learning experience at Birch. This role is responsible for building scalable training systems that directly improve retention, performance, and strengthen our internal talent pipeline across all locations. From a new hire's very first day to the moment they step into a leadership role, this person will shape how our people grow, develop a culture of continuous learning, and directly contribute to the strength and longevity of our teams.This is a builder's role with a strong foundation already in place. You'll inherit well-developed training programs and be expected to run them with excellence, while also evolving them over time and developing new modules as Birch adds roles and expands. This role will partner closely with Operations to ensure the successful adoption of training programs. You won't be starting from scratch, but you will leave your mark.What You'll DoOnboarding & New Hire TrainingLead and facilitate our three-day onboarding program (Days 1, 2, and 3) for all new Birch team members.Continuously refine the onboarding experience based on feedback, retention data, and evolving company needs.Ensure every new hire leaves orientation feeling confident and clear on what it means to work at BirchImprove New Hire to Barista to Shift Lead promotion time by 20%-50%.Shift Lead DevelopmentDeliver a structured 4–6 hour group training program for baristas moving into Shift Lead roles, held at our HQFacilitate sessions that bridge coffee craft with the leadership and operational skills Shift Leads need to succeedIterate on the curriculum over time based on real-world feedback and evolving business needsCoffee Shop Lead TrainingLead onboarding and ongoing development programming for newly hired and recently promoted Coffee Shop LeadsIncrease internal promotion rateImprove CSL retention within 6 monthsSupport their transition into store management with programming that covers operations, team leadership, and Birch cultureServe as a consistent resource and thought partner as they grow into their rolesCurriculum & Program DevelopmentPartner with ownership to design and deliver leadership training and programming across the organizationAdd new modules and update existing materials as Birch grows, new roles are created, or business needs shiftBuild assessment and feedback loops that connect learning outcomes to real business resultsOversee Train the Trainer system across all programs, ensuring every training curriculum has a corresponding Train the Trainer document built from Template.Review and approve any new curriculum introduced at Birch before launch.This role is both an architect and hands-on operator, responsible for designing systems and ensuring their execution.Coffee Education ProgramOversee company wide cupping program, including format, frequency, and staff communicationEnsure coffee programming is aligned with the broader coffee program vision with COO and CEO.Stay current on industry best practices and bring relevant knowledge back to the team through the Coffee Educator.Team LeadershipDirectly oversee our Espresso Trainer and Coffee Educator, supporting their development and ensuring alignment between front-line training and the broader education visionFoster a culture of learning and growth across all levels of the organization while coordinating with other departments including Ops, HR, and Production.What Success Looks LikeIn this role, you'll be measured by outcomes that matter: higher retention rates, stronger store performance, and a growing ratio of internal promotions to external hires. We believe the best companies grow their own leaders — and this role is the engine that makes that possible. Within your first 90 days, we are expecting you to:Assess current programs and identify gapsAudit company-wide for training effectivenessCreate and implement a 6-month plan tied to business outcomesWhat We're Looking ForRequired5+ years of experience in training, education, or learning & development — experience in specialty coffee preferred, but background in hospitality required.Proven ability to design and deliver engaging adult learning programs, both one-on-one and in group settings.Strong facilitation skills. You can command a room, read an audience, and adjust on the fly.Experience managing or mentoring others.A genuine passion for developing people and building culture.Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to give clear direction across all levels of the organization.Meticulous approach to documentation, follow-up, and data-driven decision making.Experience building scalable training programs, not simply experience implementing them.Alignment with Birch's values: Excellence, Service, Connection, Ownership, and Enthusiasm.PreferredHands-on background in specialty coffee.Experience working in a multi-unit or growing brand environment.Compensation & BenefitsSalary: $$85K-$100K/yearFull-time, salary/exempt position401K MatchHealth, Dental, Vision InsuranceCommuter Benefit Program2 weeks Vacation, increase based on tenureMonthly Metrocard