Barista - Temporary

Barnes & Noble•Algonquin, IL

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The 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 efficient operation and attractive presentation of the Café through customer service, register operation, stocking, merchandising, and cleaning. Baristas are expected to work positively and reliably, be punctual, support colleagues, learn new skills, and enjoy the work. Baristas are trained to use registers and other technology; maintain café and retail fixture presentation; prepare food and drinks accurately; receive, unpack, and stock deliveries; follow FIFO and product-dating practices; complete cleaning tasks; and follow loss-prevention and de-escalation procedures. They may also support the bookfloor team and, when needed and able, work at other stores within the wider cluster. As their experience develops, Baristas build knowledge of beverage, bakery, savory, and gifting products; maintain appealing product presentation; communicate promotions and sales objectives; recommend customizations; use café training tools; and follow food safety, hygiene, and sanitation procedures. The role offers a career path toward Senior Barista as skills develop. The position is temporary. The listed starting hourly rate is $15.00, depending on experience, seniority, location, and other legally permitted factors.

Requirements

Maintain reliable and punctual attendance for scheduled shifts.
Be positive, willing, hardworking, and reliable in completing assigned tasks.
Be supportive and considerate of colleagues and cheerful and helpful with customers.
Show aptitude and willingness to learn new skills and acquire knowledge.
Use registers, computers, tablets, programs, and other tools comfortably and efficiently.
Develop and demonstrate effective merchandising, visual merchandising, and register skills.
Prepare food and drinks accurately and follow product information and recipe guidance.
Perform café cleaning tasks and correctly follow FIFO and product-dating practices.
Understand and follow loss-prevention procedures and de-escalation techniques.
Be able to perform prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking.

Responsibilities

Welcome customers cheerfully, answer questions, and help them select beverages and café items.
Operate registers quickly and reliably while providing professional customer service.
Maintain the attractive presentation and cleanliness of the Café, counter, and retail fixtures.
Receive, unpack, and accurately stock deliveries.
Prepare food and drinks correctly using product information, recipe guides, and other available resources.
Complete daily and weekly café cleaning tasks during shifts.
Follow First In First Out (FIFO) practices and date products consistently and correctly.
Support the bookfloor team when needed.
Follow loss-prevention procedures and de-escalation techniques; identify theft and seek support for problematic behaviors or issues.
Build product knowledge and use it to maintain appealing presentation, support promotions and sales objectives, and recommend food and beverage customizations.
Use café training tools and follow café safety, hygiene, and sanitation procedures.
Support colleagues and fill scheduling gaps when able and responsive to store needs.