Lead Barista

Overview

Job Summary:

A Barnes & Noble bookstore is a gathering place for readers and the community. As Lead Barista, you are an integral member of the café team. You play a leadership role in guiding the team to maintain compelling product presentations and overseeing the efficient running of the Café. You are both a trusted expert and hands-on leader, creating a welcoming environment where baristas feel supported, comfortable bringing forward questions or concerns, and they trust that you will address them promptly and effectively.

Location:

VT - S. Burlington - Burlington - 2776

Classification:
Full-Time

• Maintain reliable and punctual attendance for scheduled shifts, setting the standard for the team and ensuring consistent leadership presence on the floor.
• Fill scheduling gaps when able, being flexible and responsive to the needs of the store — open from early mornings to late evenings every day, including weekends and most holidays.
• Be positive and proactive in approach to work; lead by example with purpose and energy, working hard and reliably while inspiring others to do the same.
• Be supportive and considerate of colleagues; consistently helping others on the team and setting a positive example.
• Be cheerful with customers, consistently going out of your way to help them.
• Show aptitude and willingness to learn new skills, acquire new knowledge, and apply it appropriately in the store while guiding and supporting others.
• Be curious, continuously learn, and demonstrate ambition and initiative to develop a bookselling or café career.
• Act as a resource for baristas and booksellers, addressing and resolving concerns and raising issues to leadership.
• Prioritize resources and barista support to keep the shift on track.
• Above all, show that you enjoy being a barista.

You will be trained and expected to be proficient in:

• Using mastered skills in drink making, food preparation, and all other tools to model best practices and coach others.
• Using strong merchandising skills to coach the café team in creating and maintaining a full and vibrant bake case and adjusting displays while ensuring cleanliness and presentation standards are met.
• Guiding baristas in applying and understanding effective visual merchandising to maintain counter and floor retail fixtures, keeping the Café neat and tidy.
• Speed of service at the registers; coaching baristas in customer conversations and improving register speed and accuracy.
• Guiding and supporting baristas in receiving and unpacking deliveries, and stocking following FIFO practices.
• Keeping the Café clean and tidy through daily and weekly cleaning tasks.
• Supporting the bookfloor team with presentation standards and maintenance to uphold high standards.
• Coaching the team to follow loss prevention procedures and maintain a safe, secure bookstore with the ability to spot theft and de-escalate challenging situations.

All this work requires physical activity including prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and a lot of walking. You may work in other stores if needed, collaboratively supporting the wider Cluster.

As you gain experience, your barista knowledge and skills should develop. Each Barnes & Noble Bookstore is the product of its bookselling and café team. You will increasingly contribute as you develop your expertise. You will

• Place food and beverage orders accurately and timely, ensuring the Café is in-stock at all times.
• Complete and submit accurate monthly inventory and waste logs timely.
• Coach the team in delivering effective food and beverage recommendations to customers.
• Lead and support the Café’s focus on key sales objectives such as new LTOs, café promotions, Membership, etc., sharing this knowledge with customers and colleagues.
• Use knowledge of café training tools to help baristas broaden their experience.
• Maintain knowledge of café safety, hygiene, sanitation guidelines and procedures to uphold standards.

An employee in this position can expect an hourly rate starting at $20.75.