Cafe Associate

Discovery Cube•Santa Ana, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

A Café Associate plays a key role in delivering an exceptional guest experience by providing friendly, efficient service while maintaining a clean and welcoming environment. This position is ideal for individuals eager to learn barista skills, food preparation, and point-of-sale operations. The Café Associate is responsible for upholding health department standards, ensuring food and beverage quality, and supporting smooth day-to-day café operations. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator, highly organized, and committed to upholding the café’s values and brand standards.

Requirements

Minimum 1 year of experience in a customer service role
High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, weekends, holidays, and special events.
Must have basic math skills for cash handling and operating a POS system
Valid Food Handler’s Permit or ability to obtain certifications (e.g., ServSafe).
Ability to lift 20-30 lbs, stand for extended periods, and work in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Customer service experience preferably in a café, coffee shop, or food-service environment.
Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Business, or a related field.
Barista or beverage-preparation experience.
Familiarity with cash handling and basic retail operations.
Ability to follow recipes and prepare beverages or light menu items.

Responsibilities

Greet customers, take orders, and operate the POS system accurately.
Process customer transactions quickly and accurately while maintaining secure and compliant cash-handling practices.
Prepare coffee, espresso drinks, teas, smoothies, and other beverages to café standards.
Assemble light food items such as pastries, sandwiches, or grab-and-go items.
Restock front-of-house items including cups, lids, pastries, condiments, and merchandise.
Maintain dining and service areas by cleaning tables, wiping counters, and sweeping floors.
Support opening and closing duties such as setting up displays, brewing coffee, or shutting down equipment.
Monitor café inventory and alert supervisors when stock levels are low.
Ensure all beverages and food items meet established standards for taste, appearance, and presentation.
Follow recipes, preparation guidelines, and allergen-awareness procedures to ensure safe, consistent, and high-quality service.
Maintain proper storage, handling, and rotation of ingredients to uphold freshness and food safety.
Observe and enforce food safety practices, including temperature checks, sanitation routines, and cross-contamination prevention.
Monitor product displays and remove items that are outdated, damaged, or below quality standards.
Keep customer-facing areas clean, welcoming, and compliant with health-code requirements.
Provide prompt, friendly, and professional service, addressing guest questions or concerns with a solution-focused approach.
Contribute to a positive, welcoming atmosphere that supports guest satisfaction and encourages repeat visits.
Participate in staff meetings, process improvements, and operational initiatives.
Complete additional tasks and projects as assigned by management.
Assist with inventory tracking by noting shortages or overstocked items.
Maintain signage, menu boards, and product labels as directed by management.
Document equipment issues, customer feedback, or safety concerns for management follow-up.