Barista (British Library)

Origin Coffee Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialty coffee retailer is seeking a passionate Barista to join their team at the British Library. In this role, you will deliver exceptional coffee experiences while maintaining high standards of service and operational excellence. Candidates should have experience in coffee preparation and strong customer service skills. This position offers opportunities for growth, including training and an inclusive working environment, along with attractive perks such as holidays and a supportive company culture.

Benefits

26 days’ holiday including birthday

Unlimited coffee and discounts

B Corp certified

SCA training opportunities

Enhanced family leave and sick pay

5% employer pension contribution

Qualifications

• Experience in a coffee or hospitality setting is essential.
• Ability to manage high volume tasks while maintaining quality.
• Open to learning and seeking improvement.

Responsibilities

• Deliver outstanding coffee and service, ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Maintain a clean and efficient workspace for operations.
• Engage customers to share knowledge about coffee.

Skills

Coffee preparation techniques

Customer service skills

Communication

Multitasking

Job description

About the role

As a Barista at Origin at the British Library, you will be responsible for delivering an exceptional coffee experience, upholding our quality standards, and creating meaningful customer interactions. Your role is integral to ensuring every cup of coffee reflects our commitment to provenance, seasonality, and transparency in a high-volume, public-facing role.

As a key member of the retail team, you will:

• Deliver outstanding coffee and service, ensuring every customer leaves with a memorable experience.
• Maintain consistency in coffee quality, adhering to Origin’s high standards and recipes.
• Engage with customers to share knowledge, inspire appreciation for speciality coffee, and enhance brand loyalty.
• Support the retail team in achieving operational excellence and driving performance.

This is an opportunity for a passionate coffee enthusiast to step into the speciality coffee world and develop their foundational skills and knowledge into actual professional expertise.

What You’ll Do

Coffee & Customer Experience

• Prepare and serve high-quality coffee, ensuring consistency in flavour, presentation, and service.
• Follow Origin’s brewing recipes and techniques to maintain excellence in every cup.
• Engage with customers to educate and inspire appreciation for speciality coffee.
• Provide personalised recommendations and support customers in their coffee journey.

Operational Excellence

• Maintain a clean, organised, and efficient workspace to ensure seamless daily operations.
• Support stock management and ensure all products are well presented and available.
• Uphold all health and safety, food safety, and hygiene standards to provide a safe and welcoming environment.

Brand Representation & Collaboration

• Act as an ambassador for Origin’s values, ethos, and commitment to sustainability.
• Contribute to store aesthetics, ensuring retail displays reflect the brand identity.
• Participate in events, activations, and home enthusiast courses to deepen customer engagement and community presence.
• Performance & Continuous Improvement.
• Seek opportunities to develop your skills, embracing training and feedback.
• Collaborate with the retail team to drive efficiencies, improve workflows, and enhance customer experience.

About You

Values & Mindset

• Passionate about coffee, hospitality, and delivering world‑class customer experiences.
• A natural storyteller, engaging customers with knowledge and enthusiasm.
• Collaborative and adaptable, thriving in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment.
• Detail‑oriented, ensuring precision in coffee preparation and service.
• Solutions‑focused and proactive in problem‑solving and continuous learning.

Skills & Experience

• Experience in a coffee or hospitality setting, with a strong understanding of coffee preparation techniques.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced coffee environment, with the ability to manage a high volume of tasks, orders and interactions, including manual handling.
• Strong communication and customer service skills, able to engage and educate customers.
• Ability to manage workflow efficiently, multitasking while maintaining quality and composure.
• Experience of working in a multi‑site environment with movement across operations and adjusting to demands throughout the day.
• Comfortable operating coffee equipment and troubleshooting minor technical issues.
• Open to learning and development, seeking ways to enhance skills and performance.

Working at Origin

• 26 days’ holiday, including your birthday off, plus flexible bank holidays
• Unlimited coffee and discounts on merchandise and partner products
• B Corp certified and proudly independent
• People‑first culture with meaningful, values‑led work
• SCA training and learning opportunities for everyone
• Enhanced family leave, sick pay, period leave, and personal days
• 5% employer pension contribution
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and GP service
• Two paid volunteering days each year

Everyone is welcome at Origin

We believe diverse perspectives enrich our culture and creativity. If you’re passionate about coffee and excited by this opportunity – even if you don’t tick every box – we encourage you to apply. Your unique experience could be exactly what we need.

Why join us?

At Origin, you’ll be part of a dynamic team that values creativity, sustainability, and collaboration. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and inspiring environment where you can grow professionally and make a meaningful impact. And, of course, you’ll have access to some of the best coffee experiences imaginable.

While you are here and before you apply, take a look at us on Instagram.

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.