Head Barista

Job Summary

La Colombe Coffee Workshop is seeking an experienced, passionate, and hospitality-focused Head Barista to lead daily coffee-bar operations and support an exceptional customer experience. The Head Barista will prepare high-quality espresso beverages, train and mentor baristas, maintain beverage standards, assist with inventory and equipment care, and help ensure efficient café operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily bar operations and support the café team during busy service periods.
• Prepare espresso beverages, brewed coffee, pour-over coffee, cold brew, tea, and specialty drinks according to company standards.
• Calibrate grinders, adjust espresso recipes, and monitor extraction quality.
• Steam milk and prepare beverages with consistent presentation and quality.
• Train, coach, and mentor baristas on coffee preparation, recipes, equipment, and customer service.
• Conduct pre-shift meetings and communicate daily priorities, promotions, menu updates, and service standards.
• Ensure consistent beverage recipes, portion sizes, presentation, and service quality.
• Educate customers and team members about coffee origins, roasting, brewing methods, and seasonal offerings.
• Provide personalized beverage recommendations and deliver exceptional hospitality.
• Operate POS systems and process cash, credit card, mobile, and other payments accurately.
• Monitor coffee beans, milk, syrups, pastries, cups, lids, and other café supplies.
• Assist with ordering, receiving, organizing, and storing coffee and café inventory.
• Conduct inventory counts and report shortages, waste, or product issues to management.
• Clean and maintain espresso machines, grinders, brewers, refrigerators, and other café equipment.
• Identify equipment issues and coordinate maintenance or repairs when necessary.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and attractive coffee bar and customer-service area.
• Support coffee tastings, product launches, seasonal promotions, events, and staff education.
• Assist with opening, closing, cleaning, and daily café-preparation procedures.
• Handle customer concerns and service-recovery situations professionally.
• Follow food-safety, sanitation, allergen-awareness, workplace-safety, and company policies.
• Work collaboratively with café managers, baristas, kitchen staff, and other team members.
• Perform additional barista and leadership duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous specialty coffee or professional barista experience required.
• Previous lead barista, shift-lead, or café-supervision experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of espresso preparation, brewing methods, coffee equipment, and milk steaming.
• Excellent communication, leadership, customer-service, and teamwork skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to beverage consistency.
• Ability to calibrate grinders and troubleshoot basic espresso equipment issues.
• Experience using POS systems and handling payments accurately.
• Ability to train and mentor baristas effectively.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced café environment.
• Ability to stand and work on your feet for extended periods.
• Flexible availability, including mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.
• Food Handler Certification is an asset where applicable.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Skills

• Specialty coffee shop or high-volume café experience.
• Advanced knowledge of espresso extraction, grinder calibration, pour-over, cold brew, and brewing techniques.
• Familiarity with coffee origins, roast profiles, cupping, and sensory evaluation.
• Experience creating or implementing seasonal beverage menus.
• Strong latte-art and milk-texturing skills.
• Experience maintaining commercial espresso machines and grinders.
• Coffee certifications or formal barista training are a plus.
• Experience with inventory management and beverage cost control.
• Strong staff-training and team-development abilities.
• Passion for specialty coffee, hospitality, education, and creating memorable customer experiences.

About the Company

La Colombe Coffee Workshop is dedicated to specialty coffee, quality beverages, thoughtful hospitality, and creating engaging café experiences. The team values coffee craftsmanship, consistency, innovation, education, teamwork, and excellent customer service.

Pay: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person