A barista plays a vital role in creating a welcoming atmosphere for customers while serving high-quality coffee and other beverages. This position requires not only expertise in coffee preparation but also excellent customer service skills.
As a barista, you will be responsible for crafting a variety of drinks, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring customer satisfaction. In a fast-paced environment like a coffee shop, your ability to multitask and communicate effectively will be key to your success.
This job description template outlines the crucial responsibilities, qualifications, and attributes expected of a barista, helping employers attract the right candidates.
As a barista, your main duties include preparing espresso-based drinks, managing inventory, and ensuring high standards of cleanliness. You will greet customers, take orders, and offer recommendations based on their preferences.
It's also important to manage the coffee machine and equipment properly, ensuring all tools are functioning well. Additionally, you will be responsible for training new employees and implementing company policies.
To qualify for a barista position, candidates should have a high school diploma or equivalent. Previous experience in a coffee shop or a similar role is preferred but not mandatory.
Key skills include familiarity with coffee brewing techniques, strong communication abilities, and a knack for customer service. Physical stamina and the ability to work in a busy environment are essential, as well as basic math skills to handle cash and transactions.
Successful baristas often possess an enthusiastic attitude and a passion for coffee. Attention to detail is crucial for creating quality beverages, and adaptability is important for handling unexpected situations.
Teamwork and the ability to remain calm under pressure will enhance the customer experience, making you an invaluable part of the coffee shop.
Starting as a barista can lead to various career paths within the coffee industry. Opportunities for advancement include roles such as shift supervisor, store manager, or even coffee roaster.
Continuous learning about coffee and customer service can enhance your resume and prepare you for these roles.
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Key Responsibilities
### Key Responsibilities (ordered by frequency/impact)
1.
- •Pull espresso shots to target: 18–20 grams dose, 25–30 second extraction. Steam milk to 60–65°C with correct microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos.
- •Why it matters: Consistent drinks drive repeat customers and keep average ratings above 4/5.
2.
- •Use POS efficiently, time orders, and assemble drinks within 90 seconds on peak runs.
- •Why it matters: Faster service reduces queue times and increases hourly throughput by 15–30%.
3.
- •Greet customers, recommend seasonal items, and add one suggested add-on in 20–30% of transactions to raise average ticket size.
- •Why it matters: Personal touch increases revenue and brand loyalty.
4.
- •Perform station wipe-downs every 30 minutes, deep-clean espresso group heads at shift end, and follow food safety rules.
- •Why it matters: Clean stations reduce contamination risk and pass health inspections.
5.
- •Count register, close out transactions with 99% accuracy, and report discrepancies within 15 minutes.
- •Why it matters: Accurate handling protects cash flow and reduces shrinkage.
6.
- •Log inventory weekly, reorder beans or milk when supplies fall below a 2-day buffer, and track waste to keep food cost targets.
- •Why it matters: Proper stock management prevents menu outages and controls costs.
7.
- •Run 1–2 training sessions per month on drink recipes, equipment care, and POS use; provide feedback on speed and technique.
- •Why it matters: Consistent training raises team competency and reduces customer complaints.
8.
- •Contribute sales feedback, suggest menu improvements based on customer trends, and help implement promotions.
- •Why it matters: Ground-level insight improves product-market fit and monthly sales performance.
Takeaway: Focus each shift on drink quality, speed, cleanliness, and clear communication to hit service and sales goals.
Required Qualifications
### Technical skills (must-have / nice-to-have)
- •Espresso machine operation (must-have): Pull consistent shots, adjust grind/time, backflush group heads. Used every shift to ensure beverage consistency.
- •Milk steaming and latte art (must-have): Steam to 60–65°C and produce steady microfoam for drink quality and presentation.
- •POS and cash handling (must-have): Process 50–150 transactions per shift, reconcile register with 99% accuracy.
- •Basic equipment maintenance (nice-to-have): Calibrate grinder and replace group seals to reduce downtime.
### Soft skills
- •Customer communication (must-have): Greet customers, handle complaints calmly; improves satisfaction scores by up to 20%.
- •Time management (must-have): Prioritize orders during 5–10 minute rush windows to maintain 90s service targets.
- •Teamwork and feedback (must-have): Coordinate with colleagues during peak hours and participate in monthly training.
- •Sales mindset (nice-to-have): Recommend add-ons to increase average ticket by 5–10%.
### Education / Certifications
- •High school diploma or equivalent (must-have): Basic reading and math for recipes and cash handling.
- •Food handler certification (must-have in many locations): Required for health-code compliance.
- •Specialty certifications (nice-to-have): SCA Barista Diploma or equivalent for advanced technique and credibility.
### Experience requirements
- •1+ year in a fast-casual cafe or coffee shop (must-have): Demonstrates ability to handle volume and maintain drink quality.
- •Experience with speed service and multi-tasking (must-have): Proven record of working during 8–12 person peak shifts.
- •Supervisory or training experience (nice-to-have): Ability to lead shift huddles and onboard new hires.
Takeaway: Prioritize candidates who combine machine skills, customer focus, and reliable shift experience; certifications and leadership add measurable value.