Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Head Barista

🎯 Role Definition

The Head Barista is the heart and soul of our coffee program—a passionate leader, a guardian of quality, and a mentor for our team. This role transcends simply making coffee; it's about curating an exceptional guest experience from the moment they walk in the door. As a Head Barista, you are the resident coffee expert, responsible for leading the bar team by example, ensuring every single beverage meets our exacting standards, and fostering a warm, welcoming, and efficient environment. You will be instrumental in staff training, inventory management, menu innovation, and upholding the culture that makes our café a beloved destination.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Barista
Shift Supervisor (Coffee-focused)
Lead Barista

Advancement To:

Assistant Cafe Manager
Cafe Manager
Coffee Quality Control Manager / Coffee Trainer
Head of Coffee / Director of Coffee

Lateral Moves:

Wholesale Account Trainer
Coffee Roaster Apprentice

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Oversee and guarantee the exceptional quality and consistency of all coffee and other beverages served, including daily dialing-in of espresso grinders and calibration of brewing equipment to precise specifications.
Lead the barista team by example, fostering a positive, motivating, and collaborative work environment while managing shift schedules, break rotations, and daily task assignments.
Develop and implement comprehensive training programs for new and existing baristas, covering everything from espresso extraction theory and milk texturing to customer interaction protocols and brand ethos.
Manage inventory for all coffee-related products, including beans, milk alternatives, syrups, and paper goods, by placing orders, tracking stock levels, and minimizing waste through effective forecasting.
Act as the primary point of contact for customer feedback and concerns, resolving issues with professionalism and grace to ensure a consistently high level of guest satisfaction and retention.
Maintain impeccable standards of cleanliness and organization for the bar area, service stations, and all coffee-related equipment in strict adherence to health and safety regulations.
Collaborate with management to develop and launch new seasonal drink specials and menu items, from conceptualization and recipe testing to staff training and promotional execution.
Perform regular preventative maintenance and deep cleaning on all coffee equipment, including the espresso machine, grinders, and brewers, and troubleshoot minor technical issues to prevent downtime.
Actively monitor daily sales performance and key performance indicators (KPIs), working with the team to implement upselling strategies and initiatives to achieve revenue targets.
Conduct regular quality control checks and sensory analysis (cuppings) to assess new coffee offerings, maintain consistency, and deepen the team's product knowledge and palate.
Uphold and champion the café's brand standards, culture, and values, ensuring every customer interaction and every drink served reflects our commitment to excellence.
Manage cash handling procedures for the bar, including opening/closing till counts, float management, and ensuring accurate transaction processing throughout the shift.
Foster strong relationships with key suppliers, particularly coffee roasters, to stay informed about new offerings, sourcing stories, and to provide valuable feedback.
Guide customers through our coffee menu, providing detailed information about origin, flavor profiles, and brewing methods to enhance their experience and build loyalty.
Create and manage the weekly or bi-weekly staff rota, ensuring adequate coverage for peak times while accommodating staff availability and managing labor costs effectively.
Conduct regular performance check-ins and formal reviews for the barista team, providing constructive feedback and setting goals for their professional growth within the company.
Ensure all staff are fully trained on and consistently follow all food safety, hygiene, and workplace safety policies and procedures.
Coordinate with the kitchen or food service team to ensure a seamless and efficient flow of service between beverage and food orders, maintaining excellent communication.
Drive a culture of continuous improvement by actively seeking feedback from staff and customers and identifying opportunities to enhance workflow, product quality, and service.
Plan and lead coffee-related events, such as public cuppings, brewing workshops, or latte art throwdowns, to engage the community and promote the brand.

Secondary Functions

Support the Cafe Manager with administrative tasks such as reporting on waste, sales trends, and staff performance metrics.
Contribute to the organization's social media channels by capturing and providing high-quality visual content of beverages, latte art, and the general cafe atmosphere.
Collaborate with the management team to brainstorm and implement local marketing initiatives and community outreach programs.
Participate in the recruitment process for new baristas, including reviewing applications and conducting practical skill assessments during interviews.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Expert Espresso & Extraction: Master-level proficiency in dialing in grinders and operating commercial espresso machines to pull consistently perfect shots.
Advanced Latte Art: Demonstrable skill in free-pour latte art, including the ability to create complex and symmetrical designs (rosettas, tulips, swans).
Manual Brewing Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge and practical skill with various manual brewing methods such as V60, AeroPress, Chemex, and French press.
Coffee Knowledge: A deep and thorough understanding of coffee origins, varietals, processing methods, roast profiles, and their impact on flavor.
Sensory Skills: Experience in formal or informal coffee cupping and the ability to articulate flavor notes and assess coffee quality objectively.
POS & Cash Handling: Proficiency with modern Point-of-Sale (POS) systems and meticulous cash management procedures.
Inventory Management: Experience with stock control, ordering from suppliers, and using systems to track inventory and minimize waste.

Soft Skills

Leadership & Mentorship: A natural ability to lead, inspire, and motivate a team, with a strong focus on coaching and developing the skills of others.
Exceptional Communication: Clear, professional, and warm communication style suitable for interacting with customers, team members, and management.
Problem-Solving: The capacity to think on your feet, handle unexpected challenges during a busy service, and resolve customer issues effectively and calmly.
Impeccable Attention to Detail: A keen eye for detail in all aspects of the job, from the quality of a drink to the cleanliness of the bar.
Genuine Hospitality: A deep-seated passion for customer service and creating a welcoming, positive, and memorable experience for every guest.
Time Management & Prioritization: Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent. Food Handler's Certification.

Preferred Education:

Vocational training in Hospitality or Business. Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) certifications or similar.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Hospitality Management
Culinary Arts

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-5 years of experience in a specialty coffee café environment.

Preferred: A minimum of 1-2 years of experience in a leadership role, such as Senior Barista, Shift Lead, or Assistant Manager, is highly preferred.