Barista

Roles and responsibilities

• Brew coffee, espresso, and other drinks based on customer orders.
• Greet customers, take orders, and help them choose drinks.
• Keep the work area and equipment clean and organized.
• Take payments and give receipts to customers.
• Keep track of supplies and inform the manager when stock needs to be replaced.

Skills Needed:

• Friendly Attitude: Good at talking to and helping customers.
• Coffee Knowledge: Know how to make different types of coffee and drinks.
• Multitasking: Handle busy times and multiple orders at once.
• Team Player: Work well with others in a busy environment.

Requirements:

• Experience: Previous experience as a barista is required. Training is often provided on the job.

• Coffee and Beverage Preparation:

  • Prepare and serve a variety of coffee drinks, such as espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, Americanos, and cold brews.
  • Operate and maintain espresso machines, grinders, and other coffee-making equipment.
  • Follow specific recipes and customer preferences to ensure drinks meet quality and taste standards.
  • Prepare other beverages, such as tea, hot chocolate, or smoothies, as needed.

• Customer Service:

  • Greet customers warmly and take their orders, providing recommendations or answering questions about the menu.
  • Engage with customers in a friendly, professional, and efficient manner.
  • Handle customer inquiries, concerns, or complaints, ensuring a positive experience for each guest.
  • Maintain a welcoming atmosphere, ensuring that customers feel comfortable and valued.

• Maintaining Cleanliness and Organization:

  • Keep the coffee station, work area, and café clean and organized at all times.
  • Clean and maintain coffee machines, grinders, and other equipment to ensure they are functioning properly.
  • Wipe down counters, tables, and other surfaces throughout the day to maintain hygiene.
  • Follow health and safety standards for food and beverage preparation and handling.

• Cash Handling and Payment Processing:

  • Take customer orders and process payments using the point-of-sale (POS) system, handling cash, credit/debit cards, or mobile payments.
  • Provide accurate change and receipts to customers.
  • Keep track of inventory and help with restocking supplies as needed.

• Creating and Customizing Beverages:

  • Customize drinks according to customer preferences, including adjusting sweetness, milk types, or flavorings.
  • Create latte art or decorative designs on coffee beverages for visual appeal.
  • Maintain consistency in the taste, quality, and presentation of drinks served.

• Food Preparation:

  • Prepare and serve light snacks, pastries, or other food items, depending on the establishment's menu.
  • Assist in restocking and maintaining food items, ensuring freshness and quality.

• Inventory Management:

  • Monitor the stock levels of coffee beans, syrups, milk, and other ingredients, and inform management when supplies are running low.
  • Assist in receiving and storing deliveries of supplies, ensuring everything is properly organized.

• Promoting Menu Items and Specials:

  • Inform customers of any daily specials, new menu items, or promotions.
  • Encourage upselling of beverages or food items to increase sales, such as offering specialty drinks or add-ons like extra shots of espresso.

• Team Collaboration:

  • Work as part of a team with other baristas, cashiers, kitchen staff, and management to ensure smooth operations.
  • Support colleagues during busy periods, such as helping with restocking, clearing tables, or assisting with food prep.

• Professional Development:

  • Stay up to date with new coffee trends, brewing methods, and customer service practices.
  • Attend training or workshops on coffee brewing techniques, latte art, or customer service to improve skills.

Desired candidate profile

• Coffee Knowledge:

  • A deep understanding of coffee beans, roasting, brewing methods, and the different types of coffee drinks.
  • Familiarity with the various coffee equipment, such as espresso machines, grinders, and brewing systems.
  • Knowledge of how to create balanced and flavorful coffee beverages.

• Customer Service Skills:

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with customers and create a positive experience.
  • Ability to handle difficult or impatient customers calmly and professionally.
  • A friendly and approachable demeanor to make customers feel welcome.

• Attention to Detail:

  • Ability to follow precise drink recipes and instructions to create consistent and high-quality beverages.
  • Careful attention to presentation, ensuring drinks are visually appealing.

• Multitasking and Time Management:

  • Ability to juggle multiple tasks at once, such as taking orders, making drinks, and interacting with customers.
  • Working efficiently during busy periods without sacrificing the quality of service.

• Physical Stamina:

  • The role often requires standing for long periods and working in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.
  • Ability to lift heavy bags of coffee beans or other supplies when needed.

• Problem-Solving:

  • Ability to handle customer complaints or issues, such as incorrect orders or equipment malfunctions, in a calm and effective manner.
  • Quick thinking in high-pressure situations, such as when the café is crowded.

• Teamwork:

  • Ability to work closely with colleagues to maintain a smooth flow of operations.
  • Willingness to help teammates with tasks such as cleaning, restocking, or organizing.

• Creativity:

  • Creativity in crafting visually appealing drinks, such as creating latte art or customizing drinks to suit customers’ tastes.