Head Barista

Bluestone Lane Ny•McLean, VA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Head Barista upholds the quality standards of Bluestone Lane’s coffee and beverage program within their assigned café. They serve as a role model and positive influence for baristas, represent the coffee program to locals and teammates, and take significant responsibility for on-the-job training and education. The role is responsible for all aspects of the coffee menu and supports the relevant manager. It follows the Steps of Service to maximize sales while delivering a high level of customer service. The Head Barista serves locals and runs drinks to tables Monday through Friday, and rotates between the coffee machine, POS, takeaway orders, and the café floor alongside server teammates. The Head Barista is the café-level gatekeeper for coffee and beverage quality and processes, and manages coffee-related equipment, inventory, product rotation, ordering, and waste. They train and acclimate new baristas, support teammate development and accreditation, maintain coffee quality and workflow standards, and help ensure service is efficient and personalized. In the General Manager’s absence, the role assists with directing and managing live labor and maintaining operational excellence. Working conditions are typically indoors in environmentally controlled conditions. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

At least 2 years of experience as a Barista or Head Barista in specialty coffee, or at least 4 years of experience in non-specialty coffee in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
At least 2 years of relevant hospitality experience.
DOH accreditation or Safeserve certification.
Strong technical barista knowledge and skills, including extraction, texturing, and pouring.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to work in a high-stress, fast-paced environment.
Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 40 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Previous management or leadership experience.
Willingness to train, mentor, and support teammates in their coffee education.

Responsibilities

Uphold coffee and beverage quality standards and processes in the assigned café.
Train, educate, and acclimate new baristas, and support teamwide coffee product and beverage-program education.
Serve as a role model and represent Bluestone Lane’s coffee program to locals and teammates.
Clean and maintain coffee-related equipment and tools daily, and perform periodic maintenance.
Manage inventory of coffee and coffee-related products, including rotation, ordering, and quantities in accordance with standard operating procedures.
Educate locals about the menu and provide table service, including upselling food and beverages, monitoring beverage refills, and personally delivering drinks.
Attend monthly Head Barista meetings and regular calibration sessions with the Education team; travel may be needed for calibration sessions.
Initiate training and accreditation requests for teammates and contribute to team upskilling with the manager.
Rotate off the coffee machine to operate POS, serve locals, clear tables, and process takeaway orders.
Build relationships with locals through personalized service, conversation, and recognition of their names, faces, and orders.
Provide input to the General Manager or Operations team on selecting and hiring baristas.
Contribute to workflow and operational improvements that support speed of service.
Complete Zenput inputs, including monthly staffing reports to the Education team and monthly coffee and process audits; ensure correct extraction through daily dial-in.
Monitor each barista’s coffee product, beverage, and workflow practices while encouraging hospitality standards.
Minimize coffee waste through proper ordering and product management.
Keep the bar and workspace clean and fully functioning, and provide quality products with speed and accuracy.
Maintain grooming guidelines.
Assist the General Manager as a shift leader in directing and managing live labor and maintaining operational excellence when the General Manager is absent.