Senior Barista - FT

Barnes & Noble is a renowned bookstore chain known for being a vibrant and welcoming gathering place for readers and the broader community. With a rich tradition in bookselling, Barnes & Noble bookstores combine the love of literature with a warm and inviting environment that encourages customers to explore, discover, and enjoy their time immersed in books as well as in the café experience. Each location serves not just as a retail space but as a community hub where book lovers and café enthusiasts alike can connect, relax, and share their passions. Established with customer experience and community at its core, Barnes & Noble continues to lead in providing an enjoyable, comfortable shopping and dining atmosphere.

As a Senior Barista at Barnes & Noble, you step into a pivotal role that blends the art of exceptional coffee making with genuine customer service. This role is integral to the bookstore’s café, which acts as the heart of the space where customers come to enjoy quality beverages and curated food selections. The Senior Barista must have mastered key barista skills and behaviors, exemplifying cheerful hospitality and a supportive attitude toward both customers and team members. Beyond crafting drinks, you welcome customers warmly, aiding them in discovering the café’s offerings, and create a sense of community within the store.

The Senior Barista acts as a mentor and resource to other baristas, helping new team members learn essential skills and ensuring consistent quality service. This position demands not only technical proficiency with café operations but also a flexible, positive outlook to meet the varied scheduling demands of a busy retail environment open from early mornings to late evenings including weekends and holidays. The job entails the mastery of operational competencies such as handling technology including registers and tablets effectively, maintaining merchandising and visual standards, managing inventory using accurate FIFO procedures, and executing food and beverage preparation with precision. The role also involves daily cleaning duties and active participation in loss prevention efforts by identifying and reporting unusual activity.

Physical stamina is required since the job involves prolonged standing, bending, lifting, and extensive walking. Senior Baristas may also support other stores within a cluster, demonstrating a collaborative spirit. As you gain experience in this role, your responsibilities expand to sharing your knowledge of café products, offering food and beverage pairing recommendations, educating baristas, and promoting Barnes & Noble’s sales initiatives confidently. Your deepening expertise contributes to maintaining a vibrant café environment and enhancing the customer experience, supporting the store’s overall success.

The Senior Barista position offers a pathway for professional growth within Barnes & Noble’s café and bookselling career tracks. Individuals demonstrating mastery of skills and a passion for the role are encouraged to take on new challenges and advance within the company. The job is suited for those who are enthusiastic about working directly with customers, thrive in a fast-paced setting, value teamwork, and show a strong willingness to learn and adapt. Barnes & Noble provides various employee benefits depending on work hours, including health coverage, paid time off, retirement plans, and tuition reimbursement. This role is a great fit for service-oriented individuals eager to contribute meaningfully to a beloved retail and community space.