FOH Shift Leader & Barista

Encounter Kaikoura; Kaikōura; On-site; NZD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Structured training and support

Guaranteed minimum hours

Staff discounts

Job summary

Encounter Kaikoura is seeking an experienced hospitality professional to join our team for a full-time fixed-term period, starting immediately and ideally through April. The role emphasizes warm customer service, top-quality coffee, and supporting a productive team in a busy environment.

You will lead by example, maintain high standards, and help ensure smooth daily operations, including opening/closing procedures, safety, and excellent guest experiences during peak season.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a customer-facing hospitality or front-of-house role.
• Proven barista experience with coffee quality and presentation.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for customers and team members.
• Ability to work independently and support less experienced colleagues.
• Experience using point of sale systems and handling cash.

Responsibilities

• Consistently prepare and serve quality coffee with strong barista techniques.
• Welcoming customers and supporting colleagues in a values-driven environment.
• Speak up about hazards and incidents to promote safety and learning.
• Deliver orders, clear and reset tables, and maintain seating availability.
• Lead by example with attention to detail in service, cleanliness and teamwork.

Skills

Customer service

Barista skills

Communication

Mentoring

POS systems

Multitasking

Reliability & flexibility

Tools

POS terminal

Job description

This role is suited to an seasoned hospitality professional who can hit the ground running and use their experience to contribte confidently from day one.

Responsible for ensuring all our customers are actively welcomed and assisted, along with opening and closing procedures, and maintaining high standards of service and cofffee quality. Collaborating with the FOH Supervisor and other shift leaders to ensure the smooth and efficient running of each day.

As well as making great coffee, the successful candidate will take initiaitive, help motivate and support the team and contribute positively to a productive and welcoming environment.

• This full-time fixed-term position has an immediate start and is ideally through until April.
• We do continue tohire throughout the summer season (Nov-April) and may have future positions too,whilst our preference is to hire for the full season, wemay consider a shorter fixed-term for the right applicant. We do not typically hire for contracts of less than 3 months in duration.
• We love to hire locally and there may also be permanent opportunity for the right applicant.
• Please let us know your availability and preferred term in your application and note we can only consider applicants who are visa ready and fully available for 3 months or more.

Key responsibilities:

• Consistently prepare and serve quality, well-balanced coffee, demonstrating strong barista skills that maintain consistency and presentation throughout busy service.
  
• Focus on supporting our customers and colleagues in a way that reflects Encounter Kaikoura's values.
• Prioritise keeping ourselves and those around us safe by speaking up and reporting hazards, near misses and incidents so we can continuously learn and improve, and encouraging others to do the same.
• Provide a genuine warm welcome to our customers, ensuring that they feel valued and comfortable from the moment they arrive, anticipating their needs and creating a great first impression. Endeavour to engender the same energy and attitude to service in the wider team.
• Lead by example with strong attention to detail in all areas of service, presentation cleanliness, communication and work ethic, contributing positively to team cutlture and supporting less experienced team members where appropriate.
• Take responsibility for the smooth operation of the team, identifying and addressing issues proactively, and escalating matters to the FOH Supervisor where required.
• Deliver food and coffee orders to customers using correct service standards, and clear, clean and reset tables efficiently after customers depart to ensure maximum seating availability.
• Maintain a clean, organised, and welcoming cafe environment by completing general replenishment, restocking, tidying and cleaning tasks to support daily operations.
• Complete opening and end-of-day procedures, including cash handling and reconciliation, prep for the following day, and communicating any relevant information to colleagues.
• Ensure any special requests and customer feedback are accurately communicated to the kitchen team.
• Support Encounter Kaikoura's commitment to environmental sustainability by following responsible workplace practices including conserving energy and water, minimising waste, recycling appropriately, and contributing ideas to improve our environmental footprint.

Desired skills and experience:

• Previous experience in a customer facing hospitality, retail or front of house role with a genuine passion for delivering exceptional customer service.
• Proven barista experience, with a strong understanding of coffee preparation, grinder adjustment, milk texturing, and maintaining coffee quality consistently at pace.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to confidently and professionally interact with customers and colleagues.
• Confident working independently and as part of a team and the ability to support and guide less experienced colleagues.
• Experience using point of sale systems and identifying efficiencies where possible.
• Ability to multitask and prioritise competing demands while remaining calm and organised in a busy, fast paced environment.
• A flexible and resilient attitude towards working extended hours with early starts and late finishes when required.

Points to note:

• This is a role that requires a high level of reliability, consistency and versatility. Looking after yourself, managing fatigue and arriving fit and ready to work are important parts of the role. We are looking for applicants who take pride in their work, understand the importance of consistency, and are able to maintain a high standard of service levels throughout the day.
• During summer, days can be long – typically 8 hours on your feet, depending on business levels and tour length, so maintaining energy and stamina throughout the day is essential.
• We are a 7 day a week business and shifts will fall on public holidays and weekends.

What we offer:

• More than just a cafe; we are a tour operator and retail store and you get to be part of a wider friendly andlike minded team creating exceptional customer experiences everyday!
• Structured training and support for you to be successful in your role; we have a genuine interest in your personal development and job satisfaction and are responsive to your aspirations.
• Guaranteed minimum hours and the option for more hours for those that want them over peak season to meet customer demand.
• Staff discounts in our cafe and retail store.
• The ability to join our tours as often as you like subject to availability; our team often take the opportunity to swim with dolphins on their days off!

Before you apply

Please read the following essential requirements carefully before proceeding with your application:

• If you are not a New Zealand citizen or resident, or an Australian citizen, you must hold a valid New Zealand work visa covering the full duration of the contract. For fixed-term seasonal roles, your visa must remain valid for the entire summer season. We are unable to consider applicants whose visa does not cover the full contract period.
• You must be fluent in spoken and written English. English is the primary language used across our operation and is essential for communicating effectively with customers and colleagues, particularly in relation to safety procedures.
• You must be available and able to commit to the full seasonal contract period. Annual leave is generally not available during our peak summer season, so please do not apply if you are unable to commit to the full contract dates.

If you do not meet all the above requirements, please do not apply, as we will be unable to progress your application.