Cafe Team Expert

Barnes & Noble is a renowned bookstore chain known for being a vibrant hub for readers and local communities. Operating stores across various locations, Barnes & Noble combines the sale of books with an inviting cafe environment to create a unique and welcoming experience for customers. The company prides itself on fostering a culture of learning, community engagement, and customer service excellence. With a rich heritage in bookselling, Barnes & Noble continually evolves to meet the changing needs of its customers while maintaining a strong commitment to quality and supplier relationships.

The Cafe Team Expert (CTE) at Barnes & Noble plays an essential leadership role within the cafe team. This position is pivotal in ensuring that the cafe not only serves delicious beverages and food but also acts as a welcoming gathering space for customers. As a CTE, you will lead by example, coaching and developing the cafe team to deliver exceptional customer service and maintain high operational standards. Your role is critical in driving sales and managing inventory effectively by using data to analyze trends, waste, and sales performance. Collaborating closely with the Store Manager (SM), you will help design and implement strategies that enhance cafe profitability and customer satisfaction.

Working at Barnes & Noble as a Cafe Team Expert requires a commitment to specific core behaviors such as reliable attendance, flexibility with scheduling, proactive work ethic, supportive teamwork, excellent customer interaction, initiative in personal development, and strong communication skills. You will be expected to take charge of operational responsibilities including mastering barista skills, maintaining food and drink presentation standards, and visual merchandising of retail displays. Efficient register operation and the ability to support the bookselling team during slower cafe times are also essential components of the role.

In addition to your technical skills, your ability to coach others on loss prevention, safety procedures, and customer service excellence will be crucial. This role demands physical stamina as it involves prolonged standing, bending, lifting, and considerable walking. Cross-store collaboration may sometimes be necessary to support the wider cluster of Barnes & Noble stores.

As you grow in this role, your expertise will deepen, allowing you to make informed recommendations, analyze sales data, and contribute to strategic discussions with the Store Manager to continuously improve the cafe’s performance. You will uphold company policies while embodying the spirit and enjoyment of being a barista at Barnes & Noble, becoming a role model within the team and the broader bookstore community. Benefits vary depending on scheduling hours, ranging from employee discounts and paid time off to comprehensive health benefits and tuition reimbursement for those working full time or more.

This full-time or part-time position offers opportunities for professional growth within a supportive retail environment where your passion for customer service, teamwork, and operational excellence can flourish. Barnes & Noble is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive. Your leadership as a Cafe Team Expert will contribute directly to creating a memorable and satisfying experience for every customer who visits the bookstore's cafe, reinforcing Barnes & Noble’s mission of connecting people through their love of books and community engagement.