Head Barista

Trading Post – Eastbourne; Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free coffee

50% discount on meals

Bean discounts

Beachfront discounts

Birthday gift card

Mental health support

Pension scheme

Coffee education

Career progression

Job summary

Trading Post Coffee Roasters in Eastbourne is seeking a Head Barista to drive coffee quality and lead a team across shifts. You will coach Baristas, dial in espresso and maintain high standards of service with genuine hospitality.

You will mentor colleagues, ensure consistency across blends and single origins, and engage guests with product knowledge while supporting a positive team culture.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Barista in a quality coffee environment.
• Passion for specialty coffee and sharing knowledge with others.
• Experience coaching or training other Baristas.
• Remain calm under pressure and maintain high standards.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the coffee station and set the standard for coffee quality during each shift.
• Dial in grinders and monitor espresso extraction for consistency.
• Coach, train and support Baristas to develop skills and confidence.
• Monitor service speed without compromising quality.
• Maintain equipment, cleanliness and operating standards.
• Collaborate with management to identify training opportunities.
• Support the wider team during busy services with a positive approach.

Skills

Specialty coffee knowledge

Espresso dialing

Latte art

Team coaching

Communication skills

Tools

Espresso machines

Grinders

Job description

Join the Team at Trading Post Coffee Roasters

At Trading Post Coffee Roasters, coffee is at the heart of everything we do.

As an independent, specialty coffee company, we're passionate about sourcing, roasting and serving exceptional coffee whilst creating memorable experiences for every guest. We believe great coffee starts with great people, which is why we invest in developing our teams through training, coaching and genuine opportunities to grow.

If you're passionate about specialty coffee, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and take pride in your craft, we'd love to hear from you.

Why You'll Love Working Here

Joining Trading Post means becoming part of a team that values quality, hospitality and continuous learning.

We offer:

• Free coffee and discounted meals whilst on shift
• 50% employee discount on food and drink at every Trading Post Coffee House
• Discounts on our specialty coffee beans and retail products
• Discounts across Beachfront Leisure venues
• Birthday Gift Card for every team member
• Free access to mental health and financial wellbeing support
• Company pension scheme
• Ongoing coffee education and technical training
• Clear internal career progression opportunities

We believe great people deserve great opportunities. That's why we invest in developing our teams and creating careers, not just jobs

About the Role

As Head Barista, you'll be the driving force behind coffee quality within your Coffee House.

Working alongside the management team, you'll lead by example to ensure every coffee served reflects the high standards Trading Post is known for. You'll coach and develop your team, inspire confidence behind the coffee machine and create a culture where quality, consistency and genuine hospitality come together.

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about specialty coffee, enjoys helping others develop and takes pride in delivering exceptional standards every single day.

A Day in the Life

As Head Barista, you'll:

• Lead the coffee station and set the standard for coffee quality throughout every shift.
• Dial in grinders and monitor espresso extraction to ensure consistency across all blends and single origins.
• Coach, train and support Baristas, helping them develop their technical skills and confidence.
• Monitor speed of service while never compromising on quality.
• Prepare consistently exceptional coffee and advanced latte art.
• Share your coffee knowledge with both guests and colleagues, recommending coffees, brewing methods and retail products.
• Ensure all coffee equipment is maintained, cleaned and operating to the highest standard.
• Work closely with the management team to identify training opportunities and continuously improve coffee standards across the Coffee House.
• Support the wider team during busy services, leading with positivity, professionalism and a hands-on approach.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, you'll:

• Deliver consistently outstanding specialty coffee to Trading Post standards.
• Lead by example and inspire confidence across the coffee team.
• Develop Baristas through regular coaching, feedback and on-the-job training.
• Ensure coffee quality, cleanliness and consistency remain exceptional throughout every service.
• Build a positive, motivated and high-performing coffee team.
• Create memorable experiences by combining technical excellence with genuine hospitality.
• Take ownership of coffee standards and continuously look for ways to improve quality and efficiency.
• Become a trusted coffee leader within your Coffee House and a role model for others.

Who We're Looking For

You'll thrive in this role if you:

• Have previous experience as a Barista within a quality coffee environment.
• Have a genuine passion for specialty coffee and sharing your knowledge with others.
• Enjoy coaching and developing people.
• Lead by example and remain calm under pressure.
• Have excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Take pride in maintaining exceptional standards.
• Are proactive, positive and always looking for opportunities to improve.
• Enjoy working collaboratively with both Front of House and Management teams.

Previous experience

We're looking for someone with:

• Strong specialty coffee knowledge.
• Experience using commercial espresso machines and grinders.
• Confidence dialling in espresso and maintaining consistency throughout service.
• Advanced milk steaming and latte art skills.
• Experience supporting or training other Baristas.
• Bonus points if you have:
• Experience leading a coffee team.
• Knowledge of manual brewing methods.
• Experience delivering coffee training or coaching.
• A desire to progress into wider leadership or Learning & Development roles.

No two days are the same, and every shift gives you the opportunity to make someone's day a little better.

Career Development

Many of our leaders started in front-line hospitality roles.

Whether you want to become a Barista, Head Barista, Roaster, Supervisor or progress into management, we'll support your development through structured training, coaching and real opportunities to grow your career.

Our Culture

We're proud of the culture we've built.

We're passionate about coffee, but we're equally passionate about people.

We work hard, support one another, celebrate success and believe that every team member contributes to creating exceptional experiences for our guests.

If you're looking for somewhere that values quality, encourages curiosity and supports your personal and professional development, you'll feel right at home.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.

Trading Post Coffee Roasters is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, respected and able to thrive. We want every candidate to have the best possible experience, so if there's anything we can do to support you during the recruitment or interview process, please let us know.