Lead Barista - Full Time

About the Role

At Barnes & Noble, our bookstore serves as a community hub for readers. As a Lead Barista, you will hold a pivotal leadership position within the café, overseeing the smooth operation while inspiring your team. Your role balances hands-on expertise and guiding the café staff to promote an environment where colleagues feel backed and comfortable raising questions or concerns which you address efficiently and respectfully.

Key Behaviors Expected

• Consistently demonstrate dependability with punctual attendance, setting a leadership example for the team.
• Show flexibility by filling scheduling gaps, acknowledging the store's broad operating hours including weekends and most holidays.
• Exhibit a proactive and upbeat work attitude, inspiring your team through energy and dedication.
• Provide thoughtful support and encouragement to colleagues, fostering a positive team atmosphere.
• Engage cheerfully and helpfully with customers to enhance their experience.
• Demonstrate eagerness to learn and develop new skills, supporting and mentoring team members.
• Maintain curiosity and ambition to progress within bookselling or café career paths.
• Serve as a reliable resource for team members by addressing operational issues and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Effectively manage resources to ensure smooth shift operations.
• Above all, embody a genuine passion for barista work.

Responsibilities

• Master and model proficiency in drink preparation, food handling, and operational procedures, coaching team members to follow suit.
• Utilize merchandising expertise to lead the team in maintaining attractive bake case displays and overall café presentation.
• Coach baristas in effective visual merchandising to ensure all retail fixtures and café spaces are neat and appealing.
• Lead efforts to improve service speed and accuracy at registers and enhance customer interactions.
• Support the receipt, unpacking, and correct stocking of deliveries, observing FIFO inventory practices.
• Oversee thorough cleaning routines to maintain a clean and hygienic café environment.
• Collaborate with bookselling team members to uphold high presentation standards in the store.
• Promote loss prevention by training staff to identify theft and manage difficult situations professionally and calmly.
• Manage physical tasks like standing long periods, bending, lifting, and walking extensively.
• Contribute to cluster-wide support by assisting at other store locations when needed.
• Take accountability for café inventory management, including placing orders and submitting inventory reports timely and accurately.
• Facilitate delivery of strong food and beverage recommendations training.
• Lead café campaigns and promote sales initiatives such as promotions, limited time offers, and membership sign-ups.
• Use café training tools to broaden team skills and knowledge.
• Ensure strict adherence to health, safety, and sanitation standards.

Additional Information

As you gain experience, your expertise will deepen, enabling you to contribute increasingly and take on new challenges and career opportunities. All company policies and procedures must be followed.

Benefits

Benefits vary based on scheduled hours per week as follows:

• Less than 20 hours: Employee discount, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Sick Pay.
• 20 to 29.99 hours: Employee discount, EAP, Sick Pay, Paid Time Off including Paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Company Paid Holidays, Transit benefits, and 401(k) with company matching.
• 30 hours or more: All prior benefits plus Comprehensive Health Benefits covering Medical, Dental, and Vision care, Healthcare and Dependent Care Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Transit, and Tuition Reimbursement.

Benefit availability may vary by location and is subject to change according to current plans. Further details can be acquired from Human Resources or recruitment staff.