Head Barista

WatchHouse; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free coffee & drinks

Free lunch on shift

Discounted food

Discounted coffee

Annual company party

Team social budget

Career progression

SCA training access

Job summary

WatchHouse is seeking a Head Barista to lead the bar team, uphold exceptional drink quality, and embody the Modern Coffee culture across the House.

You will coach, develop, and mentor your team, manage daily bar operations, stock, and equipment, and represent the team at senior Coffee meetings.

This role offers hands-on leadership and ongoing training within WatchHouse's growing family of Houses.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership and coaching abilities within a fast-paced cafe/restaurant environment.
• Strong focus on hospitality and guest experience.
• Ability to train and mentor baristas to maintain quality standards under pressure.
• Knowledge of drinks, recipes, and techniques to elevate service.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate an atmosphere of hospitality, ensuring regulars feel at home and new guests feel welcomed.
• Provide coaching and professional development for your barista team.
• Lead coffee-related meetings or training sessions as needed.
• Represent your team at Head Barista meetings with the Senior Coffee Team.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of drinks offerings and techniques, and share with your team.
• Conduct daily tastings to foster curiosity and passion for quality.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Team development

Hospitality

Communication

Coffee knowledge

Training

Espresso machines

Tools

Espresso machines

Job description

Head Barista, WatchHouse.

As a Head Barista at WatchHouse, you hold the responsibility of ensuring the exceptional quality of every drink served in your House. You are a leader, a mentor, and a brand ambassador of Modern Coffee. You are accountable for your barista team's performance and the overall guest experience. Through coaching, team development, and equipment maintenance, you set the tone for excellence, hospitality, and WatchHouse’s signature Modern Coffee culture.

Directly report into: House Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Cultivate an atmosphere of unparalleled hospitality, ensuring regulars feel at home and new guests feel welcomed.
• Provide coaching and professional development for your barista team.
• Lead inspiring and engaging coffee-related meetings or training sessions as needed.
• Represent your team at Head Barista meetings with the Senior Coffee Team.
• Proactively meet with the Coffee team to exchange insights and ideas for improvement.
• Ensure every coffee and drink meets WatchHouse’s exceptional quality standards, even in high-pressure environments.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of all drinks offerings, recipes, and techniques, sharing this expertise with your team.
• Conduct daily tastings with your team, fostering a culture of curiosity and passion for flavor, quality, and innovation.
• Manage the daily operations of the bar, ensuring standards are upheld and production is efficient.
• Lead by example during opening and closing shifts, demonstrating professionalism and setting the benchmark for performance.
• Oversee stock control, ordering, and wastage management, tackling inefficiencies and maintaining excellent supplier relationships.
• Maintain visual merchandising and retail displays, ensuring high standards of presentation and accessibility.
• Troubleshoot equipment issues, perform basic repairs, and replace filters or parts as needed.
• Communicate with repair specialists and elevate maintenance concerns appropriately.
• Demonstrate passion and expertise in creating vibrant connections with guests, turning visits into memorable experiences.

Key To This Role

• Live and breathe our core values of Passion, Empathy, Can Do and Diligence.
• Approachable, positive, and brings energy and personality to every interaction, whether with guests or your team.
• Remain calm under pressure and handle difficult conversations professionally.
• A true coffee enthusiast with a hunger to learn and inspire others about specialty coffee, food, and hospitality.
• From cleanliness to drink quality, you are meticulous and organized, setting high standards for your team to follow.
• You are solution-oriented, proactive in tackling challenges, and adaptable to the needs of your House and team.
• You are patient and supportive, skilled at coaching and empowering others to grow and succeed.

What Can You Expect At WatchHouse

• Free Coffee & Drinks – Always – Sip on your favourite drinks, even on your days off.
• Monthly Coffee Gift – Take home 250g of premium WatchHouse coffee every month.
• Free Lunch Every Shift – Fuel up with great food on the house.
• Team Social Budget – Celebrate, connect, and unwind with your team outside of work.
• Annual WatchHouse Party – Our legendary celebration featuring Core Value Awards, and prizes like trips to coffee farms!
• 30% Off All Food – Any House, any time, just for being part of the team.
• 30% Off Retail Coffee – Stock up on your favourite WatchHouse blends whenever you like.
• Work in Beautifully Designed Houses – Join inspiring spaces equipped with industry-leading tools, surrounded by passionate hospitality professionals.
• Supportive Managers – We listen, we care, and we adapt to support your needs.
• Best-in-Class Training – From your first shift, we set you up for success with on- and off-shift development.
• Access to SCA Training – Advance your coffee expertise with recognised industry training (role dependent).
• Off-Shift Induction Experience – Get to know WatchHouse culture with a full day induction in your first two weeks.
• Career Progression That’s Real – With new Houses and growth across the business, your next step is never far away.

Working at WatchHouse.

At WatchHouse, we were born from a passion to do better—driven by diligence, attention to detail, and a genuine care for our craft and our people. We are a people-first business that values individuality, personality, and the unique contributions of every team member. We champion diversity, insist on equality, and foster inclusion as a non-negotiable part of our culture. Our team thrives in a respectful, collaborative environment where feedback is welcomed, support is mutual, and excellence is pursued together. Guided by our core values—passion, can do, diligence, and empathy—we build meaningful relationships, celebrate contributions, and work with purpose to deliver the Modern Coffee experience.

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