Barista

Roles and Responsibilities

To greet customers cheerfully, courteously, and professionally, take orders, prepare specialty food & beverage items, and fulfill orders. Your main goal is providing an exemplary customer experience. You must be able to work fast and efficiently and always be cheerful and friendly. Delivering an extraordinary level of customer service that results in strong repeat business is a must. Success in this role will be demonstrated by delivering a high level of customer satisfaction and working effectively in a high-performing, team environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Welcoming customers to the coffee shop and providing excellent customer service throughout their visit.
• Offering expert advice, recommendations, and answering questions about coffee and other drinks.
• Preparing a range of different coffee drinks including espresso, café latte, macchiato, flat white, and cold brew.
• Cleaning and maintaining the espresso machine and other equipment, managing any repairs when needed.
• Cleaning and restocking display cabinets and serving food items such as sandwiches, baked goods, etc.
• Maintaining compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Processing cash and card sales via the POS machine.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Prior barista or related retail food & beverage customer-facing experience.
• Positive, customer-friendly attitude with strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Obsessed with product quality and delivering outstanding customer service.
• Self-motivated and trustworthy, able to work with minimal supervision.
• Strong client-facing, interpersonal communication skills.
• Team player; always open to helping colleagues.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to meet regular, consistent, and punctual attendance schedules.
• Flexibility to work different shifts as needed.
• Familiarity with coffee brewing and tea preparation equipment preferred.
• Must be proficient in communicating in English.

Desired Candidate Profile

Key Responsibilities of a Barista:

1. Coffee Preparation

   • Espresso Brewing: Operating espresso machines to brew high-quality espresso shots, which form the base for many coffee drinks.
   • Milk Steaming and Frothing: Frothing milk for drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and mochas. This requires skill to achieve the right texture and temperature.
   • Brewing Methods: Familiarity with various brewing techniques (drip coffee, pour-over, French press) and using them according to customer preferences or menu specifications.

2. Customer Service

   • Taking Orders: Interacting with customers to take their orders, offering recommendations, and ensuring they get the drinks they want.
   • Serving Drinks: Preparing drinks to order and serving them promptly with a friendly demeanor.
   • Customer Interaction: Building relationships with regular customers, engaging with new ones, and ensuring they have a positive experience.

3. Maintaining Cleanliness and Equipment

   • Cleaning Equipment: Regularly cleaning espresso machines, grinders, and other coffee-making equipment to ensure quality and safety.
   • Workstation Organization: Keeping the coffee bar area clean, organized, and well-stocked with necessary supplies, such as coffee beans, syrups, milk, and cups.
   • Sanitation: Adhering to food safety standards, including proper handling of milk, beverages, and cleaning procedures.

4. Managing Inventory

   • Stock Management: Monitoring and restocking coffee supplies and ingredients, such as milk, coffee beans, syrups, and other beverages, ensuring the coffee shop operates smoothly.
   • Ordering Supplies: Alerting supervisors when stock levels are low and helping order new stock as needed.

5. Creating Latte Art (Optional)

   • Some baristas are skilled in latte art, where they use steamed milk to create intricate designs on the surface of espresso drinks. This is an optional skill but highly valued in many high-end coffee shops.

Key Skills for a Barista:

1. Coffee Knowledge

   • Understanding the types of coffee beans, roasts, and brewing methods.
   • Ability to adjust brewing techniques to suit customer preferences and maintain consistency in taste.

2. Customer Service

   • Strong communication and interpersonal skills for engaging with customers, taking orders, and ensuring they have a pleasant experience.
   • Problem-solving skills to handle complaints or special requests.

3. Attention to Detail

   • Ensuring drinks are made to order, paying attention to the strength, flavor, and appearance of each coffee.
   • Maintaining cleanliness and organization in the workspace.

4. Physical Stamina

   • Ability to work on your feet for extended periods and handle the physical demands of the job, including lifting heavy bags of coffee and working in a fast-paced environment.

5. Multitasking

   • Handling multiple orders simultaneously, especially during busy hours, while maintaining high standards of service and product quality.

Education and Qualifications:

1. Educational Requirements

   • Most baristas don’t require formal education beyond a high school diploma. However, a background in hospitality, food and beverage service, or business management can be beneficial, especially for those aiming for a managerial role.

2. Training

   • On-the-job training is typically provided, where baristas learn how to use equipment, prepare drinks, and engage with customers.
   • Some coffee shops offer formal barista training programs, teaching specific brewing techniques, customer service skills, and how to handle equipment.

3. Certifications (Optional)

   • Barista Certification: Programs like those offered by the Specialty Coffee Association can provide formal certification for those wishing to enhance their skills.
   • Food Safety Certification: In some regions, baristas may be required to hold food safety certifications due to handling food and beverages.