Head Barista

Amisfield; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 43,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Jack's Point seeks an experienced Head Barista to own the coffee and non-alcoholic beverage programme at a premier Queenstown setting. You will lead the barista team during service, dial in espresso, and develop seasonal drinks while keeping costs in check and ensuring top quality.

This hands-on leadership role involves coaching staff, maintaining food safety, and collaborating with FOH and kitchen teams to continually improve the coffee offering.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years' barista experience, including a senior or supervisory role.
• Experience in a high-volume or premium hospitality environment.
• Advanced espresso and milk preparation skills, including dial-in and issue resolution.
• Experience training or coaching other baristas or team members.
• Understanding of recipe costing, stock control, margins and basic sales reporting.
• Genuine passion for coffee and beverage development with attention to quality.
• Strong attention to detail, presentation, and hygiene.
• Ability to stay calm, organized and hands-on during busy periods.
• Willingness to work weekends, holidays and peak seasons.

Responsibilities

• Lead the barista team during service and maintain high standards for coffee and beverages.
• Dial in coffee, monitor extraction, ensure consistent drink quality.
• Prepare espresso and other hot/cold non-alcoholic beverages to a high standard.
• Develop seasonal specials and new coffee/beverage products.
• Cost new products and maintain recipes, specs and cost cards.
• Monitor beverage sales, stock, waste and margins against targets.
• Order stock within budgets and par levels; manage supplier relations.
• Train and coach team members in coffee prep, recipes, milk texturing, presentation and service.
• Sign off team competence to work on the coffee bar independently.
• Maintain cleanliness, food safety and workplace health and safety.

Skills

Barista leadership

Espresso & milk

Team training

Food safety

Stock & cost control

Job description

Lead the coffee programme in one of Queenstown's most spectacular settings.

Back dropped by the Remarkables Mountain Range, Jack’s Point is a truly authentic and unique destination from which to experience Queenstown’s stunning scenery. Situated on the edge of Lake Tewa,surrounded by Jack’s Point championship golf course, it is the perfect place dine and relax.

Jack's Point is looking for an experienced Head Barista to take ownership of our coffee and non-alcoholic beverage programme and help shape the next stage of our food and beverage offering.

This is a hands-on leadership role for an experienced barista who loves great coffee, enjoys developing people and products, and wants the opportunity to make their mark on a growing beverage programme.

About the role

Reporting to the F&B Manager, you will take ownership of the day-to-day coffee operation while remaining hands-on during service. Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead the barista team during service and set a consistently high standard for coffee and beverage preparation.
• Dial in coffee, monitor extraction and maintain consistently high drink quality throughout service.
• Prepare espresso coffee and other hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages to a high standard.
• Develop seasonal specials, signature drinks and other new coffee and beverage products.
• Cost new products and maintain recipes, specifications and cost cards.
• Monitor beverage sales, stock, waste and gross margins against agreed targets.
• Order coffee, milk, syrups, teas and other beverage stock within approved budgets and par levels.
• Build relationships with coffee roasters and beverage suppliers and recommend products or blend changes where appropriate.
• Develop promotions and initiatives to grow coffee and beverage sales.
• Train and coach baristas and other team members in coffee preparation, recipes, milk texturing, presentation, cleaning and service standards.
• Assess and sign off team members as competent to work on the coffee bar independently.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, food safety and workplace health and safety.
• Complete daily cleaning and maintenance of espresso machines and grinders and coordinate servicing when required.
• Work closely with the F&B Manager, F&B Director, Head Chef and wider FOH team to continually improve the coffee and beverage offering.
• Contribute to barista recruitment, rostering and performance discussions.
• Assist with the wider Jack's Point food and beverage operation as reasonably required.

About you

You will have:

• At least 3 years' barista experience, including experience in a senior or supervisory barista role.
• Experience working in a high-volume or premium hospitality environment.
• Advanced espresso and milk preparation skills, including the ability to dial in coffee and identify and resolve extraction issues.
• Experience training or coaching other baristas or hospitality team members.
• An understanding of recipe costing, stock control, margins and basic sales reporting.
• A genuine passion for coffee and beverage development, with an eye for quality and creativity.
• Strong attention to detail and a high standard of personal presentation and hygiene.
• Good knowledge of and commitment to food safety and workplace health and safety.
• The ability to remain calm, organised and hands-on during busy service periods.
• Flexibility to work weekends, public holidays and during peak seasonal periods.

Desirable: SCA or equivalent coffee qualifications, experience developing menus or launching products, latte art or competition experience, and a current food safety certificate.

Why Jack's Point?

This is an opportunity to take real ownership of a coffee programme in an exceptional Queenstown location.

You'll have the freedom to bring ideas to the menu, develop your team and influence how the coffee experience evolves, while working alongside an experienced food and beverage leadership team.

You'll also enjoy:

• A spectacular Queenstown location surrounded by mountains and Jack's Point golf course.
• A hands-on leadership role with genuine ownership of the coffee programme.
• Creative scope to develop new products, seasonal offerings and sales initiatives.
• The opportunity to develop people and build a strong barista team.
• Premium hospitality experience within a distinctive golf and lifestyle environment.

Employment details

• Permanent, full-time position.
• Minimum 30 hours per week.
• Remuneration of $31–$34.50 per hour, depending on experience and suitability.
• Weekend and peak-period work will be required.