Barista - PT

Barnes & Noble•Northbrook, IL

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 contributes to attractive café presentation and efficient operations by stocking deliveries, tidying the bake case and dining area, preparing food and drinks, and providing quick, friendly register service. Baristas are expected to demonstrate reliable attendance, flexibility in responding to store scheduling needs, a positive and energetic approach to work, consideration for colleagues, cheerful customer service, willingness to learn, and enjoyment of the role. They receive training and are expected to develop proficiency in café operations, technology, merchandising, food and drink preparation, cleaning, inventory practices, loss prevention, and customer support. As experience grows, Baristas build knowledge of café beverages, bakery and savory items, and gifting; maintain appealing product presentation; support sales objectives and promotions; recommend customizations; and follow café safety, hygiene, and sanitation procedures. The role involves physical activity, including prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and frequent walking. Employees may work in other stores when able and when needed to support the wider Cluster. With demonstrated mastery of the role’s skills, Baristas are expected to advance to Senior Barista. Employees must comply with company policies and procedures.

Requirements

Reliable and punctual attendance for scheduled shifts.
Flexibility and responsiveness to store scheduling needs, including availability that may accommodate early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and most holidays.
Positive, energetic, hardworking, and reliable approach to assigned tasks.
Supportive and considerate behavior toward colleagues.
Cheerful, helpful customer service.
Aptitude and willingness to learn new skills and knowledge.
Comfortable and efficient use of technology, including registers, computers, tablets, programs, and other tools.
Ability to perform physical activities including prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and frequent walking.

Responsibilities

Welcome customers cheerfully, answer questions, and help them select beverages and café items.
Provide quick, friendly, and professional service at the register.
Maintain café presentation, cleanliness, and efficient operations, including tidying the bake case and dining area.
Unpack and stock deliveries accurately and efficiently.
Prepare food and drinks correctly, using product information and recipe guides as needed.
Complete daily and weekly cleaning tasks during shifts.
Apply First In First Out (FIFO) practices and date products correctly and consistently.
Support the bookfloor team when needed.
Follow loss prevention procedures and de-escalation techniques; identify theft or problematic behaviors and seek support.
Build knowledge of café beverage, bakery, savory, gifting, and retail products.
Maintain appealing product presentation and support sales objectives, promotions, and key products by sharing product knowledge.
Recommend effective food and beverage customizations to customers.
Use café training tools and follow café safety, hygiene, and sanitation procedures.
Comply with company policies and procedures.
Support other stores when able and needed to support the wider Cluster.

Benefits

Employee Discount
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Sick Pay
Paid Time Off, including paid Maternity and Parental Leave (for employees scheduled 20 hours or more per week)
Company Paid Holidays (for employees scheduled 20 hours or more per week)
Transit benefits (for employees scheduled 20 hours or more per week)
401(k) with Company Match (for employees scheduled 20 hours or more per week)
Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance (for employees scheduled 30 hours or more per week)
Healthcare and Dependent Care Spending Accounts (for employees scheduled 30 hours or more per week)
Disability Benefits (for employees scheduled 30 hours or more per week)
Life Insurance (for employees scheduled 30 hours or more per week)
Tuition Reimbursement (for employees scheduled 30 hours or more per week)