Barista - Temporary

Barnes & Noble•Orland Park, IL

25d•Onsite

About The Position

A Barista is an integral member of the Barnes & Noble Café team, welcoming customers, answering questions, and helping them find beverages and café items. The role supports efficient café operations by maintaining an attractive, clean presentation; stocking deliveries; tidying the bake case and dining area; and providing quick, friendly register service. Baristas are expected to be dependable, punctual, positive, flexible when able to fill scheduling gaps, supportive of colleagues, cheerful with customers, willing to learn, and enthusiastic about the work. Baristas receive training and are expected to develop proficiency with registers, computers, tablets, programs, and other tools; merchandising and café presentation; receiving, unpacking, and stocking deliveries; preparing food and drinks accurately; cleaning; following FIFO and product-dating practices; and supporting the bookfloor team when needed. The role also involves understanding loss-prevention procedures and de-escalation techniques, recognizing theft or problematic behavior, and seeking support when appropriate. As experience grows, Baristas build knowledge of café beverages, bakery and savory items, gifting, promotions, customization options, retail products, training tools, and café safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards. The position may involve supporting other stores within the wider Cluster when able and needed. With demonstrated mastery, the expected next career step is Senior Barista. Employees must comply with company policies and procedures.

Requirements

Maintain reliable and punctual attendance for scheduled shifts.
Be flexible and responsive to store needs, including filling scheduling gaps when able.
Approach work positively and perform assigned tasks purposefully, energetically, and reliably.
Be supportive and considerate of colleagues and helpful to the team.
Be cheerful and helpful with customers.
Show aptitude and willingness to learn new skills and acquire knowledge.
Be comfortable and efficient using technology such as registers, computers, tablets, programs, and other tools.
Develop proficiency in register operation, merchandising, stocking, food and drink preparation, café cleaning, FIFO practices, and product dating.
Understand and follow café safety, hygiene, sanitation, loss-prevention, and de-escalation procedures.
Meet the physical demands of prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking.

Responsibilities

Welcome customers, answer questions, and help them select beverages and café items.
Provide quick, friendly, and professional service at the register.
Maintain the presentation and cleanliness of the café, counter, retail fixtures, bake case, and dining area.
Receive, unpack, and accurately stock deliveries.
Prepare food and beverages accurately using product knowledge, recipe guides, and other available tools.
Complete daily and weekly café cleaning tasks.
Follow FIFO practices and date products consistently and correctly.
Support the bookfloor team when needed.
Follow loss-prevention procedures, identify theft or problematic behavior, use de-escalation techniques, and seek support as appropriate.
Build café product knowledge and use it to support sales objectives, promotions, and customer customization recommendations.
Follow café safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards.
Support other stores in the wider Cluster when able and needed.
Comply with company policies and procedures.

Benefits

Employee discount
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Sick pay
Paid time off, including paid maternity and parental leave, for employees scheduled at least 20 hours per week
Company-paid holidays for employees scheduled at least 20 hours per week
Transit benefits for employees scheduled at least 20 hours per week
401(k) with company match for employees scheduled at least 20 hours per week
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits for employees scheduled at least 30 hours per week
Healthcare and dependent care spending accounts for employees scheduled at least 30 hours per week
Disability benefits for employees scheduled at least 30 hours per week
Life insurance for employees scheduled at least 30 hours per week
Tuition reimbursement for employees scheduled at least 30 hours per week