Barista - Temporary

Barnes & Noble•Hickory, NC

20d•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 attractive café presentation and efficient operations by stocking deliveries, keeping the bake case and dining area tidy, and operating registers to provide professional, friendly service. 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, willingness to learn, and enthusiasm for the role. They receive training and are expected to become proficient in café operations, including using technology, merchandising, operating registers, receiving and stocking deliveries, preparing food and drinks, cleaning, following FIFO and product-dating practices, supporting the bookfloor team, and applying loss-prevention and de-escalation procedures. With experience, Baristas develop product knowledge across beverages, bakery, savory options, and gifting; maintain appealing product presentation; support sales objectives and promotions; recommend food and beverage customizations; use café training tools; and follow safety, hygiene, and sanitation procedures. The position may involve working in other stores within the Cluster when able and needed. Successful development and mastery of the role’s skills may lead to advancement to Senior Barista. Employees must comply with company policies and procedures.

Requirements

Reliable and punctual attendance for scheduled shifts.
Flexibility and responsiveness to store needs, including filling scheduling gaps when able.
Positive, energetic, and reliable approach to assigned work.
Supportive and considerate attitude toward colleagues.
Cheerful, helpful customer service and willingness to go out of the way to assist customers.
Aptitude and willingness to learn new skills and acquire store knowledge.
Comfort and efficiency using registers, computers, tablets, programs, and other tools.
Ability to perform the physical activity required, including prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking.

Responsibilities

Welcome customers, answer questions, and help them select beverages and café items.
Maintain an attractive, clean, and well-presented Café, including the bake case, dining area, counter, and floor retail fixtures.
Operate registers efficiently and provide quick, friendly, and reliable customer service.
Support receiving and unpacking deliveries and accurately stock products.
Prepare food and drinks properly and accurately, using recipe guides, product specification sheets, and other available resources.
Complete daily and weekly café cleaning tasks and follow café safety, hygiene, and sanitation procedures.
Follow First In First Out (FIFO) practices and date products consistently and correctly.
Support the bookfloor team when needed and assist other stores in the Cluster when able and needed.
Follow loss-prevention procedures and de-escalation techniques; identify theft or problematic behavior and seek support as appropriate.
Develop knowledge of café beverages, bakery, savory options, gifting, and retail products.
Support sales objectives, promotions, and key products by sharing product knowledge with customers and colleagues.
Recommend food and beverage customizations and use Café training tools appropriately.
Comply with company policies and procedures.

Benefits

Employee Discount
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Sick Pay
Paid Time Off, including paid Maternity and Parental Leave (eligibility depends on scheduled hours)
Company Paid Holidays (eligibility depends on scheduled hours)
Transit benefits (eligibility depends on scheduled hours and location)
401(k) with Company Match (eligibility depends on scheduled hours)
Comprehensive Health Benefits, including Medical, Dental and Vision (for employees scheduled 30 hours or more)
Healthcare and Dependent Care Spending Accounts (for employees scheduled 30 hours or more)
Disability Benefits (for employees scheduled 30 hours or more)
Life Insurance (for employees scheduled 30 hours or more)
Tuition Reimbursement (for employees scheduled 30 hours or more)