Cafe Team Expert

Barnes & Noble is a well-established and renowned bookstore chain that serves as a central hub for readers and the community. Known for its vast selection of books and a vibrant cafe environment, Barnes & Noble creates a unique experience that encourages learning, socializing, and the joy of reading. Each store combines the warmth of a neighborhood bookstore with the assets of a large retailer. The company focuses on bringing people together through books, media, and a welcoming cafe space while maintaining high standards of customer service and community engagement. Employees are integral to this mission, fostering an environment where customers feel valued and inspired. The bookstore chain has a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity employment, ensuring a respectful and supportive workplace for all.

The role of a Cafe Team Expert (CTE) at Barnes & Noble is a leadership position within the cafe team, playing a pivotal role in driving the profitability and operational success of the cafe. As a CTE, you will lead by example to create a welcoming atmosphere for customers, using data-driven insights to optimize sales, reduce waste, manage inventory, and implement effective business strategies. This role requires collaboration with the Store Manager to adapt action plans that meet financial objectives and enhance the customer experience. You will be responsible for coaching and developing the cafe team, ensuring everyone adheres to high standards in food and beverage preparation, safety, hygiene, and customer interaction.

The Cafe Team Expert is expected to embody the company’s core behaviors: reliability, flexibility, positivity, kindness, and a genuine passion for being a barista. The role involves hands-on work at the cafe, mastering drink making, visual merchandising, efficient order taking, and loss prevention while supporting bookstore operations as needed. Physical activity is a key component of the job, including prolonged standing, bending, lifting, and walking. As you grow in this role, your expertise will be leveraged to make effective product recommendations, analyze sales and inventory reports, and collaborate closely with management to continuously improve cafe performance. The company offers a comprehensive benefits package that varies based on hours worked, including employee discounts, paid time off, health benefits, 401(k) with company match, tuition reimbursement, and more. Barnes & Noble values its employees and provides ongoing training, encouraging personal development to support career growth within the company.