Cafe Team Expert

Barnes & Noble•Glendale, WI

About The Position

The Café Team Expert (CTE) is an integral leader for the Barnes & Noble café team, developing team knowledge and helping create a welcoming customer environment. The role uses data to influence sales, trends, waste, inventory, and other components of café profitability, and works collaboratively with the Store Manager to present business strategies and implement or adapt café action plans. The CTE is expected to demonstrate reliable attendance, flexibility in supporting store scheduling needs, a positive and proactive approach, respect and support for colleagues, helpful customer service, initiative in personal development, active listening and clear communication, and effective prioritization of team resources. The role also requires mastering the operational competencies of a Barnes & Noble Barista and coaching others in café operations, merchandising, service, safety, and loss prevention. As expertise develops, the CTE makes food and beverage recommendations, reviews sales, inventory, and waste reports to improve sales and profitability, and regularly meets with the Store Manager to discuss performance, training, and opportunities. The position may involve working in other stores to support the wider Cluster when able and needed. The CTE must comply with company policies and procedures.

Requirements

Previous experience as a Lead Barista.
Ability to perform the operational competencies of a Barnes & Noble Barista.
Reliable and punctual attendance for scheduled shifts.
Flexibility to support scheduling gaps and store needs.
Positive, proactive, dependable, and energetic approach to work.
Ability to support colleagues with kindness, fairness, encouragement, and respect.
Strong customer service approach and willingness to model helpful customer interactions.
Initiative in personal development, enthusiasm for learning, and ability to use feedback to improve.
Active listening and clear communication skills.
Ability to prioritize resources and barista support to keep a shift on track.
Enjoyment of working as a barista.
Ability to perform prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking.

Responsibilities

Develop café team knowledge and model behaviors that create a welcoming customer environment.
Use data on sales, trends, waste, inventory, and other café components to support profitability.
Present business strategies and collaborate with the Store Manager to implement and adapt café action plans.
Maintain reliable attendance and, when able, fill scheduling gaps in response to store needs.
Master drink preparation and food and beverage presentation standards, adjust displays, and model and coach effective practices.
Maintain counter and floor retail fixtures using visual merchandising skills.
Operate the register efficiently, take orders, and coach others on efficient order taking and speed of service.
Support the bookfloor team with bookselling skills when available.
Coach the team to follow loss prevention procedures and help maintain a safe, secure bookstore, including spotting theft and de-escalating challenging situations and problematic behaviors.
Manage inventory through effective food and beverage ordering.
Complete and submit accurate monthly inventory and waste logs on time.
Make informed food and beverage recommendations to customers and serve as a role model to the team.
Review category sales, inventory quantities, and product waste reports, and act on findings to maximize sales and profitability.
Meet regularly with the Store Manager to review café sales performance, profitability, training, and opportunities.
Maintain café safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards and procedures.
Support other stores in the wider Cluster when able and needed.
Comply with all 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 20 or more hours per week
Company-paid holidays for employees scheduled 20 or more hours per week
401(k) with company match for employees scheduled 20 or more hours per week
Transit benefits for employees scheduled 20 or more hours per week
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits for employees scheduled 30 or more hours per week
Healthcare and dependent care spending accounts for employees scheduled 30 or more hours per week
Disability benefits for employees scheduled 30 or more hours per week
Life insurance for employees scheduled 30 or more hours per week
Tuition reimbursement for employees scheduled 30 or more hours per week