barista, Experience Bar - Chicago Roastery
About The Position
The Barista at Starbucks Reserve’s Experience Bar in the Chicago Roastery contributes to the success of the Starbucks Reserve brand by delivering exceptional customer experiences as an ambassador of coffee leadership and a steward of quality. Partners create multisensory experiences through the art, science, and theater of coffee, using brew methods such as Pour Over, Chemex, Coffee Press, Siphon, Espresso, and the Clover Brewing system. They also serve innovative food offerings and help foster a welcoming environment for customers. The role combines coffee and food expertise, customer service, sales, and operational responsibilities. Baristas provide consistent, high-quality beverages and food, share product knowledge and recommendations, support store events, maintain clean and organized work areas, and help with inventory, deliveries, production planning, preparation, and display upkeep. The position requires flexibility across store departments and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Requirements
- Experience in the service, culinary, restaurant, or entertainment industry, such as restaurant, bar, theater, kitchen, specialty retail, or hospitality experience.
- Ability to bend, twist, squat, reach, crawl, push or pull, climb stairs, and stand without limitation for long periods.
- Reading, writing, and oral proficiency in English.
- Availability to work flexible hours, potentially including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Ability to carry 35 pounds consistently.
- Ability to memorize complex menus, ingredients, and beverage and food builds.
- Health code certification as required by the jurisdiction.
Nice To Haves
- One to two years of specialty retail sales experience.
- Facilitation and presentation skills.
- Ability to carry and balance a tray.
- Baking or culinary certification or degree.
- Pizza-making experience or additional baking experience.
- Basic culinary knife skills.
- Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and request clarification when needed.
- High attention to detail and ability to multitask and prioritize effectively.
- Ability to work as part of a large, matrixed team.
- Additional languages.
- Ability to learn quickly.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build relationships quickly.
- Ability to work in multiple positions across different store departments (Zones), performing varied tasks during each shift.
Responsibilities
- Act with integrity, honesty, and knowledge in support of Starbucks’ culture, values, and mission.
- Provide a distinctive coffee- and food-forward experience for every customer while keeping up with production demand.
- Share expert knowledge of food and beverage products and their ingredients.
- Remain composed and calm during high-volume periods and unusual events.
- Prepare and serve quality beverages, whole-bean coffee, and food consistently according to recipe and presentation standards.
- Follow health, safety, and sanitation guidelines and standards.
- Contribute to a positive team environment and maintain regular, punctual attendance.
- Anticipate customer and store needs by observing the environment and customer cues.
- Deliver exceptional customer service and support the store events model and its execution.
- Take responsibility for the full-service model in applicable locations.
- Maintain knowledge of rotating food, beverage, whole-bean, and retail products.
- Engage customers through recommendations, food and beverage pairings, and equipment demonstrations.
- Follow operational policies and procedures, including cash handling and safety and security procedures.
- Maintain a clean, organized workspace so partners can locate resources and products.
- Work in an environment with rapid innovation and short turnaround times from innovation to customer delivery.
- Support inventory management and the receiving and storage of deliveries.
- Use production planning tools to ensure item availability.
- Prepare, finish, and assemble beverage and food items using the necessary equipment.
- Stock and maintain display tables, cases, supplies, and wares needed for service and sales.
- Proof doughs and laminates.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Basic and supplemental life insurance and other voluntary insurance benefits.
- Short-term and long-term disability.
- Paid parental leave.
- Family expansion reimbursement.
- Paid vacation that accrues after an introductory period, with annual accrual up to 40 hours (64 hours in California).
- Sick time, accrued at one hour for every 25 or 30 hours worked depending on location.
- Additional pay for working on one of eight observed holidays.
- Eligible participation in a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
- Discounted company stock program (S.I.P.).
- Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock).
- Incentivized emergency savings and financial well-being tools.
- 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program via the Starbucks College Achievement Plan.
- Student loan management resources and other educational opportunities.
- Backup care.
- DACA reimbursement.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
