Barista Learning and Development Lead

Restaurant Associates; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality provider is seeking a Barista Learning and Development Lead in Greater London. This hands-on leadership role requires advanced barista skills and experience in training within the food service industry. You will design engaging training programs, develop quality standards, and mentor barista teams to ensure excellent beverage preparation. The role offers a full-time schedule with a competitive salary and numerous employee benefits, including a contributory pension scheme and exclusive discounts.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Career growth through Career Pathways

Digital GP access and healthcare benefits

Exclusive travel discounts

Savings on weekly shopping

Cash rewards redeemable across top brands

Free wellness and exercise classes

Qualifications

• A passionate coffee professional with advanced barista skills and a love for teaching.
• Experienced in training and development, ideally within hospitality or food service.
• Knowledgeable about coffee trends, equipment, and sustainability practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead training initiatives for baristas ensuring excellence in beverage preparation.
• Develop and maintain coffee quality guidelines and standards.
• Coach and mentor barista teams to foster a culture of learning.

Skills

Advanced barista skills

Training and development

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Knowledge of coffee trends

Education

AST licence

SCA Professional Barista certification

Job description

Barista Learning and Development Lead

Location: Bermondsey
Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
Salary: £36,00

About the Role

As our Barista Learning and Development Lead, you’ll be the driving force behind coffee excellence across our group. Your mission? To inspire, train, and empower our barista teams to deliver world‑class beverages and unforgettable customer experiences. This is a hands‑on leadership role where your creativity and expertise will shape the future of coffee culture within our organization.

What You’ll Do

• Lead Training Initiatives: Design and deliver engaging training programs for baristas at all levels, ensuring consistency and excellence in beverage preparation.
• Develop Standards: Create and maintain coffee quality guidelines, brewing techniques, and presentation standards.
• Coach & Mentor: Provide ongoing support and mentorship to barista teams, fostering a culture of learning and growth.
• Innovate: Stay ahead of industry trends and introduce new brewing methods, equipment, and seasonal offerings.
• Ensure Compliance: Uphold Food Handling, Hygiene, Health & Safety standards across all training and operations.

Who You Are

• A passionate coffee professional with advanced barista skills and a love for teaching.
• Experienced in training and development, ideally within hospitality or food service.
• A confident communicator who can engage teams at all levels.
• Organized, proactive, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledgeable about coffee trends, equipment, and sustainability practices.

Desirable Qualifications

• Current AST licence
• SCA Professional Barista and willingness to undertake the AST course
• Previous experience in a multi‑site environment

Benefits

• Contributory pension scheme
• Career growth through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Digital GP access and healthcare benefits for you and your family
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com, and more
• Savings on your weekly shop at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, and others
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets
• Cash rewards every time you spend, redeemable across top brands
• Free wellness, mindfulness, and exercise classes
• Share discounts and perks with friends and family

About Us

Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together. Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplaces, as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.

Equal Opportunities

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive – because diversity is our strength!