Senior Barista - FT

Barnes & Noble is one of the leading bookstore chains in the United States, known for its extensive collection of books, magazines, and other reading materials. The company is not only a retail establishment but also serves as a vibrant community hub where readers and book lovers can gather and connect. Within Barnes & Noble stores, customers can enjoy a rich cultural experience that includes curated bookstore environments, engaging events, and comfortable settings designed to foster a love for reading and learning. Each Barnes & Noble bookstore also features a cafe, enhancing the shopping experience by offering quality beverages and food, making it a welcoming place for patrons to relax and enjoy their visit.

The role of Senior Barista at Barnes & Noble is an essential and highly valued position within the cafe team. As a Senior Barista, you will be a key member of the store's front-of-house team, responsible for delivering exceptional customer service and creating a hospitable atmosphere for guests. Your role will transcend traditional barista duties as you become a mentor and resource for new baristas, helping them develop their skills and knowledge to provide an excellent customer experience. You will consistently demonstrate positive behaviors such as cheerfulness, supportiveness, reliability, and a strong eagerness to learn.

As part of a busy cafe team, you will master advanced operational competencies critical to maintaining a well-run cafe. This includes the proficient use of varied technology such as registers, tablets, and computer systems, alongside handling daily tasks like maintaining merchandising standards, ensuring an attractive and fully stocked bake case, and efficiently managing the register to serve customers quickly. Your expertise will extend to proper preparation of beverages and food items following approved recipes and specifications, while maintaining hygiene and safety standards throughout the cafe. Additionally, you will support loss prevention efforts and act as a calm and informed presence during difficult situations within the store.

Physical demands of the job include prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and walking, and you may be required to support other stores within a cluster if needed. As you develop your barista skills, you will take on greater responsibilities by sharing your knowledge about cafe offerings such as Starbucks coffee, Harney Tea, and other items, maintaining backstock, and educating colleagues on proper beverage preparation techniques. In this role, you will help maintain a clean, organized environment aligned with company standards, all while enhancing the customer experience through thoughtful food and beverage customizations and knowledgeable recommendations.

Barnes & Noble values employees who are curious, ambitious, and eager to build a career in the bookselling and cafe industry. As a Senior Barista, your growth will be supported through ongoing training and opportunities to advance within the company. You are expected to maintain high standards of punctuality, flexibility, and teamwork, contributing to a positive workplace culture and upholding company policies. The position offers various employee benefits based on the number of hours worked, including discounts, paid time off, health insurance options, retirement plans with company match, and tuition reimbursement, among others. Your role will be fundamental in creating a welcoming space where readers and customers can relax, discover, and enjoy Barnes & Noble's unique combination of bookstore charm and quality cafe service.