Lead Barista - FT

Barnes & Noble is a renowned bookstore chain, acting as a vibrant gathering place for readers and the community alike. As a company, it prides itself on fostering a welcoming and engaging environment where book lovers can explore a diverse collection of books while enjoying a cozy atmosphere. The Barnes & Noble experience is enhanced by its in-store cafes, which offer customers high-quality beverages and food items to complement their visits. The cafe is an integral part of the store, creating a social hub for customers to relax, study, or meet friends over a delicious cup of coffee or specialty drink. The company values customer service, teamwork, and a passion for books and cafe culture, aiming to deliver memorable experiences in every location.

The role of Lead Barista at Barnes & Noble is a pivotal leadership position within the cafe team, responsible for guiding and supporting baristas to maintain excellent product presentations and efficient cafe operations. This role requires a combination of expertise in coffee and food preparation, strong leadership skills, and a customer-focused mindset. As a Lead Barista, you will be a trusted expert and hands-on leader who creates a welcoming and supportive work environment. You will encourage your baristas to bring forward questions or concerns and ensure those are addressed effectively and promptly. Your leadership impacts the entire cafe team's ability to work cohesively, maintaining high standards in both service and presentation.

Being a Lead Barista means more than just managing operations; it embodies the 'behaviors' that Barnes & Noble encourages in its team members. You will be expected to model punctuality, flexibility, positivity, and a proactive approach to work. You will lead by example with energy, supporting your colleagues and showing enthusiasm in customer interactions. This leadership extends beyond the cafe to supporting the greater store team, ensuring that the cafe is a vibrant and inviting place. Your role also involves mastering key operational skills such as drink making, food preparation, merchandising, register operations, inventory management, and maintaining cleanliness and safety standards.

In this role, you will develop your skills continuously by learning new techniques, coaching your team, and taking initiative in career growth within the company. As you gain experience, you will take on more responsibilities such as placing orders accurately, managing inventory records, leading cafe sales initiatives and promotions, and ensuring compliance with all safety and hygiene policies. Physical stamina is essential in this position due to the nature of the work involving prolonged standing, bending, lifting, and extensive walking.

Barnes & Noble offers an enriching environment for baristas who take pride and enjoyment in their work and seek career advancement opportunities within the bookselling and cafe sectors. As a Lead Barista, you will be an essential contributor to the store's success, combining your passion for cafe service with leadership and teamwork to foster a delightful experience for customers and enjoyable workplace for your team.