Barista - Temporary

Barnes & Noble•Grand Rapids, MI

19d•Onsite

About The Position

A Barista is an integral member of the Barnes & Noble Café team, welcoming customers, answering questions, and helping them choose beverages and café items. The role supports the attractive presentation and efficient operation of the Café by stocking deliveries, maintaining the bake case and dining area, preparing food and drinks, and serving customers quickly and professionally at the register. Baristas are expected to demonstrate reliable attendance, flexibility when scheduling gaps arise, a positive and energetic approach to work, consideration for colleagues, cheerful customer service, and willingness to learn. The role involves mastering café operations and technology, merchandising, receiving and stocking, food and drink preparation, cleaning, FIFO and product dating, loss prevention, de-escalation, and supporting the bookfloor team when needed. Physical activity includes prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking. Work at other stores may be needed when the employee is able and the wider Cluster requires support. As experience grows, Baristas build knowledge of beverage, bakery, savory, gifting, and café retail products; maintain appealing product presentation; support promotions and sales objectives; make customization recommendations; and apply café safety, hygiene, and sanitation practices. Baristas are expected to comply with company policies and procedures and, as they demonstrate mastery of the role, advance along the career path to Senior Barista. Benefits vary according to scheduled weekly hours and location. Employees scheduled for under 20 hours may receive an employee discount, EAP, and sick pay. Those scheduled for 20–29.99 hours may also receive paid time off, paid maternity and parental leave, company-paid holidays, transit benefits, and a 401(k) with company match. Those scheduled for 30 or more hours may also receive medical, dental, and vision coverage, healthcare and dependent care spending accounts, disability benefits, life insurance, and tuition reimbursement. Benefits are subject to plan terms and may change.

Requirements

Reliable and punctual attendance for scheduled shifts.
Flexibility and responsiveness to store scheduling needs, including the ability to fill scheduling gaps when able.
Positive, energetic, reliable approach to assigned work.
Supportive and considerate conduct toward colleagues.
Cheerful, helpful customer service.
Aptitude and willingness to learn new skills and knowledge.
Comfort using varied technology, including registers, computers, tablets, programs, and other tools.
Ability to perform physical activity including prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking.

Responsibilities

Welcome customers, answer questions, and help them choose beverages and café items.
Maintain attractive café, counter, floor fixture, bake case, and dining-area presentation and cleanliness.
Operate registers to serve customers quickly, reliably, and professionally.
Prepare food and drinks accurately using product knowledge, recipe guides, product specification sheets, and other available tools.
Receive, unpack, and accurately stock deliveries.
Complete daily and weekly café cleaning tasks and follow FIFO and product-dating practices.
Support the bookfloor team and other stores in the Cluster when needed and able.
Apply loss-prevention procedures and de-escalation techniques, identify theft or problematic behavior, and seek support when appropriate.
Build and use knowledge of café products, retail options, promotions, and customization recommendations to support customers and sales.
Follow café safety, hygiene, and sanitation guidelines and company policies and procedures.