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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Barista and Cashier

💰 $11 - $18 / hour

HospitalityRetailFood & Beverage

🎯 Role Definition

The Barista and Cashier is a customer-facing hospitality role responsible for preparing high-quality coffee and specialty beverages, running point-of-sale transactions, maintaining inventory and café cleanliness, and delivering exceptional customer service. This hybrid role requires strong machine operation skills (espresso machines, grinders), cash-handling and POS competence, knowledge of food safety and beverage recipes, and the ability to multitask during peak service periods while upholding brand standards and product quality.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Barista Trainee / Café Intern
  • Retail Cashier or Customer Service Representative
  • Food Service Worker (fast casual or quick-service)

Advancement To:

  • Lead Barista / Shift Lead
  • Assistant Store Manager
  • Store Manager / Café Manager
  • Regional Trainer or Beverage Specialist

Lateral Moves:

  • Catering Coordinator or Barista Trainer
  • Food Prep Specialist / Kitchen Lead
  • Retail Operations Support

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Greet customers warmly, take accurate beverage and food orders, make tailored recommendations based on menu knowledge and customer preferences, and ensure exceptional front-of-house hospitality during every shift.
  • Prepare espresso-based beverages, brewed coffee, cold brew, tea, and other specialty drinks to company recipe and quality standards, including dosing, tamping, tamp pressure control, and extraction time monitoring to ensure consistent flavor and presentation.
  • Operate point-of-sale (POS) systems to ring up orders, manage cash and card transactions, process refunds and voids correctly, apply discounts and loyalty program benefits, and issue receipts while maintaining courteous customer interactions.
  • Accurately handle cash drawer responsibilities: count and reconcile cash at opening and closing, prepare deposits, log discrepancies, and follow cash-handling and loss-prevention procedures.
  • Steam and texture milk to order specifications for lattes, cappuccinos, and specialty drinks, mastering temperature control and milk texturing techniques to produce consistent microfoam and latte art when required.
  • Monitor drink quality and presentation, check temperatures, taste profiles, garnish correctly, and remake items when necessary to uphold brand standards and minimize customer complaints.
  • Maintain coffee grinders and espresso machines throughout the shift by performing routine backflushing, adjusting grinds, dosing calibration, and reporting equipment issues to management for timely repair.
  • Prepare and assemble food items and grab-and-go offerings according to food safety and allergen protocols, following portion control, packaging, and labeling requirements for freshness and regulatory compliance.
  • Assist with opening and closing procedures including turning on equipment, pre-brewing and warming ovens, sweeping and mopping floors, wiping down surfaces, restocking condiments, and securing the premises according to store standards.
  • Manage peak-hour workflow by prioritizing orders, coordinating with teammates on drink flow, expediting orders accurately for dine-in, takeout, and delivery couriers, and maintaining composure under pressure.
  • Stock and rotate inventory for coffee beans, milk, syrups, cups, lids, napkins, and food items, complete regular stock counts, submit low-stock alerts, and assist with receiving and unpacking deliveries in accordance with FIFO (first in, first out) procedures.
  • Enforce health, safety, and sanitation standards including correct handwashing, wearing gloves when required, sanitizing high-touch surfaces, maintaining appropriate refrigeration temperatures, and following local health code regulations.
  • Resolve customer questions, complaints, and special requests with empathy and efficiency, escalating complex issues to supervisors and documenting incidents or refunds per company policy.
  • Educate customers about menu items, seasonal promotions, loyalty program benefits, and brewing methods to drive sales, increase basket size, and improve repeat business through consultative selling and upselling techniques.
  • Train new baristas and cashiers on POS procedures, beverage recipes, sanitation protocols, and service standards, providing on-the-job coaching and constructive feedback to build team capability.
  • Maintain detailed shift logs and communication notes for incoming staff, reporting equipment maintenance needs, inventory variances, and customer feedback to support continuity between shifts.
  • Prepare and package catering and bulk beverage orders accurately and on schedule, coordinate order pick-up or hand-off to delivery partners, and confirm order completeness and presentation before release.
  • Perform light maintenance and cleaning on espresso machines, milk pitchers, steam wands, grinders, blenders, and brewing equipment; escalate preventive maintenance requests to management per standard operating procedures.
  • Accurately follow allergy and dietary instructions, cross-contact avoidance procedures, and ingredient substitution policies to ensure customer safety and reduce risk of allergic reactions.
  • Monitor and analyze daily sales and waste reports when required by shift leads, participate in loss prevention initiatives, and implement operational adjustments to reduce food waste and shrink.
  • Participate in merchandising and promotional displays—restock retail coffee beans, merchandise, and seasonal items, ensure pricing and signage are accurate, and maintain a visually appealing front-of-house.
  • Execute opening and closing cash and sales reconciliation, prepare cashier reports, and communicate variance explanations to store leadership while maintaining confidentiality and integrity.
  • Support store marketing initiatives by enrolling customers in loyalty programs, collecting feedback for social media content, and encouraging participation in seasonal or community events.
  • Follow corporate compliance and regulatory policies including age-restricted product sales, labor and break policies, and confidentiality of customer payment information and personal data.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist the manager with scheduling preferences, time-off requests, and shift coverage communication to maintain consistent staffing levels.
  • Help manage store social media or promotional flyers by providing product photos, suggestions for seasonal offerings, and frontline insight on customer preferences.
  • Support basic inventory ordering by preparing requisitions, verifying delivery quantities against invoices, and flagging damaged or missing items.
  • Participate in quarterly or annual food safety and service training sessions, providing feedback on process improvements and opportunities to streamline operations.
  • Assist in minor facility upkeep tasks such as replacing light bulbs, reporting HVAC or plumbing issues, and coordinating with vendors when necessary.
  • Contribute to periodic menu testing and product tasting sessions, offering input on flavor balance, portioning, and customer appeal.
  • Provide occasional shift leadership by opening or closing the store, assigning station duties, and ensuring safe cash management in the absence of a manager.
  • Collaborate with delivery and third-party courier services to coordinate order handoffs and resolve delivery-related issues during peak times.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • POS system operation and accurate cash handling, including opening/closing drawer reconciliation and preparing bank deposits.
  • Espresso machine operation and maintenance: dosing, tamping, extraction adjustments, backflushing, and basic troubleshooting.
  • Coffee grinder calibration and routine maintenance to maintain consistent grind profile across shifts.
  • Skilled milk steaming and texturing techniques for multiple milk types (whole, skim, oat, almond) and basic latte art.
  • Knowledge of beverage recipes, standardized portioning, syrup and flavor balancing, and the ability to follow recipe cards precisely.
  • Food safety, sanitation, and allergen management (knowledge of HACCP principles and local health code compliance).
  • Inventory control and stock rotation (FIFO), receiving shipments, and conducting cycle counts.
  • Basic math for cash reconciliation, change calculations, till balancing, and daily sales reporting.
  • Order accuracy and ticket management for simultaneous in-store, mobile, and delivery orders.
  • Basic maintenance and cleaning of bar equipment, blenders, refrigeration units, and espresso machine parts.
  • Familiarity with loyalty programs, digital ordering platforms, and mobile app order fulfillment.
  • Ability to complete simple administrative tasks: shift logs, incident reports, and inventory requisitions.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional customer service and active listening to identify customer needs, resolve issues, and build repeat business.
  • Strong communication skills for clear order taking, team coordination, and escalation to supervisors.
  • Time management and multitasking under high-volume, fast-paced conditions while maintaining quality and accuracy.
  • Attention to detail to ensure consistency in drink quality, portioning, presentation, and cashier accuracy.
  • Problem-solving mindset to handle equipment issues, order discrepancies, and customer complaints professionally.
  • Teamwork and collaboration to support colleagues during peak periods and maintain a positive workplace culture.
  • Adaptability and willingness to learn new procedures, seasonal menus, and promotions quickly.
  • Reliability and punctuality to meet scheduled shifts and availability needs for peak service times.
  • Sales orientation with the ability to upsell add-ons, promote loyalty programs, and increase average ticket size.
  • Professionalism and composure in stressful interactions, including de-escalation tactics and empathetic service.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent (or currently enrolled).

Preferred Education:

  • Certificate in hospitality, food service, or a food safety/serving certification (e.g., ServSafe, local food handler card).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Hospitality Management
  • Culinary Arts or Baking & Pastry
  • Business, Retail Management, or Customer Service

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–3 years of customer-facing experience in café, coffee shop, quick-service restaurant, or retail cashier roles.

Preferred:

  • 1–2 years of barista experience with direct espresso machine operation and POS/cash handling responsibility, or equivalent experience in a high-volume beverage environment.
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