Head Barista

Larder Daylesford; Daylesford; On-site; AUD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

$75,000 – $85,000 + 12% superannuation

Set weekly roster

Two consecutive days off

Paid training and cupping days with CO

Staff meals, coffee and team discount

Job summary

Larder Daylesford is seeking a Head Barista to take the lead on the coffee program across two cafés in Daylesford. You will set standards for dial-in, extraction and milk, and ensure consistency during busy periods.

You’ll train and develop the barista team, manage workflow, and collaborate with Coffee Supreme on rotation and seasonal specials. The role includes a fixed weekly roster and a strong focus on quality and operation.

Qualifications

• Real specialty experience with daily dial-in, training other baristas, and maintaining standards during busy times.
• Comfortable with filter and cold brew, not just espresso
• Current right to work in Australia
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop others

Responsibilities

• Set and maintain the standard for dial-in, extraction, milk, and consistency across both cafés.
• Train and develop the barista team, set the standard, lead during peak service.
• Collaborate with Coffee Supreme on single origin rotation, cold offerings, and seasonal specials.
• Oversee bar workflow, par levels, and equipment maintenance schedules.

Skills

Lead barista

Specialty coffee

Team leadership

Quality control

Filter & cold brew

Tools

La Marzocco machines

Mazzer Major V

Mahlkönig EK43

Puqpress

Job description

Larder was started over a decade ago by two Melbourne baristas who moved to Daylesford.

We wanted to bring the coffee standards we were used to in Melbourne together with what Daylesford already did so well; great produce, good food and a strong local community.

It grew pretty quickly from there. L1 followed, and today we run two cafés, around 120 seats and a coffee program across both venues that we’re still developing.

We’re looking for a Head Barista to take the lead on it.

What you’d be working with

• Two La Marzocco espresso machines, Mazzer Major V Electronic grinder, Mahlkönig EK43, Puqpress
• Coffee Supreme as our roaster, with a rotating single origin alongside the house blends for milk based and another for black.
• Espresso, batch filter, cold brew and cold drip — a full cold program that runs hard through summer
• L1 Filter Bar — our dedicated coffee room next door, currently being rebuilt. Whoever takes this role helps shape how the new bar works.

It’s a busy bar. Weekends, school holidays and peak periods can be full-on, so we need someone who can keep quality consistent when there’s a queue, and lead and direct the rest of the barista team through service.

What the role actually owns

This is a genuine lead role. You’ll be responsible for the coffee program across both cafés.

• Quality. You’ll set and maintain the standard for dial-in, extraction, milk and consistency across both bars.
• The team. Training and developing the barista team, setting the standard, running the bar during peak.
• The program. Working with Coffee Supreme on the single origin rotation, the cold offering, the coffee board, batch recipes and seasonal specials.
• The bar. Workflow, par levels, equipment maintenance schedules, opening and packdown standards.

You’ll report to the Café Manager and work alongside our Executive Chef and the Directors. You’ll have direct input into the L1 rebuild; layout, workflow, kit.

What we’re looking for

• Real specialty experience . You’ve dialled in daily, trained other baristas, and held a standard when the queue is out the door
• You know coffee well, can taste when something isn’t right, and can explain it clearly to the rest of the team
• Comfortable with filter and cold brew, not just espresso
• Someone who enjoys leading and developing other baristas, not just working their own section.
• Current right to work in Australia
• Formal qualifications aren’t required. Demonstrated ability is.

What we offer

• $75,000 – $85,000 + 12% superannuation, paid weekly
• A set weekly roster, not a rotating one. You’ll know your days.
• Two consecutive days off every week, guaranteed
• Paid training and cupping days with Coffee Supreme — we invest in the program and in the person running it
• Staff meals, coffee and a team discount across all venues including Betel Boy.

A bit about Daylesford

Daylesford is a small town. Rent is a fraction of the inner north, the commute is a walk, and you’ll know your regulars by name inside a month. If you’ve been thinking about leaving Melbourne but don’t want to step away from serious coffee, it could be worth a conversation.

Macora Pty Ltd is an equal opportunity employer.