Barista Lead (Full Time)

Healthy Living Market & Café; South Burlington (VT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Healthy Living Market & Café seeks a Barista Lead to guide the Barista team, manage the station’s organization, atmosphere, and staffing while upholding guest care and product quality.

The role involves hands-on counter and barista work, inventory replenishment using HL software, and training new staff. You will collaborate with the Category Manager to improve operations and guest feedback.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years in a retail environment; café/food service preferred.
• Leadership experience required.
• Cash handling and POS experience required.
• Buying, inventory management or equivalent experience preferred.
• Guest service experience required; barista experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate the Barista staff.
• Ensure staff follows department and store policies and proper register operation.
• Oversee daily break schedules and ensure adequate coverage during busy times.
• Troubleshoot call-outs and reassign shifts as needed.
• Communicate staff issues to FOH Manager and CM/E
• Manage replenishment orders and inventory accuracy.
• Maintain strong vendor relationships and communication.
• Track product movement and sales, relay insights to CM.

Skills

Leadership

Cash handling

POS experience

Guest service

Barista experience

Tools

HL software

Auto-order

Inventory data reports

POS system

Job description

Description

Healthy Living is looking for a Barista Lead to join Healthy Living!

Come join a team that:

• Focuses on teamwork
• Supports a collaborative environment
• Puts curiosity and great ideas, first
• Is dedicated to providing an exceptional guest experience
• Builds community relationships
• Loves food and cooking
• Has fun while working hard!

The Barista Lead is responsible for providing leadership to the Barista team, overseeing the overall organization, atmosphere, and staffing needs of the department. They delegate tasks, ensure department standards are consistently met, and maintain a productive, positive work environment for staff. The Barista Lead also ensures exceptional guest care, satisfaction, and upholds the aesthetic and quality of the Barista station, stepping in for or complementing the Assistant Prepared Foods Manager - FOH when needed.

In addition to their leadership role, the Barista Lead actively participates in all counter and barista tasks, serving as a role model for the team. This position is also responsible for the timely and accurate replenishment of inventory, using tools such as HL software, auto-order, cycle counts, and data reports to meet purchasing and budget goals. The Barista Lead plays a key role in training new staff on department procedures and provides valuable insights to the Category Manager (CM), including guest feedback and observations, to help improve overall operations.

Requirements

Experience:

• At least 2 years in a retail environment; preferably in a café/food service
• Previous leadership experience
• Previous cash handling & POS experience
• Previous buying, inventory management or equivalent experience
• Previous guest service experience
• Previous Barista experience preferred

Job Type: Barista Lead

Schedule: Full-time hourly position, 40 hours/week including weekend availability.

Location: 222 Dorset St, South Burlington VT

Rate: Starting hourly wage $20.00-21.72, plus tips. Previous experience will be taken into consideration

To perform the job successfully, the employee should demonstrate the following:

• Working knowledge of POS systems; cash register
• Fundamental food knowledge to include coffee/espresso/juice and/or willingness to learn
• Proven knowledge of local, state and federal Health Department standards for both health and sanitation
• Basic knife skills
• Basic computer skills
• Basic math skills
• Creativity and passion for the product (loves food & coffee!)
• Positive attitude
• High energy and an ability to work in a demanding environment
• Self-management and an ability to remain calm under any stressful situation
• An ability to be quick on their feet and make smart decisions instantaneously
• Ability to communicate with various types of people in various ways (written, verbal, demonstration)
• Organizational skills and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Approachability; works effectively and relates well with others
• Ability to manage conflict and see them as opportunities
• Problem-solving abilities; resourcefulness
• Patience
• Reliability; regular and punctual attendance
• Scheduling flexibility to meet the needs of the department; early mornings/evenings, weekends and holidays

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Leads and motivates the Barista staff
• Ensures that staff follows all department and store policies and procedures
• Ensures that staff follows all policies for proper register operation
• Oversees daily break schedules, making sure that the Barista station has adequate support during those break times especially during busy times with areas that have only one staff member
• Troubleshoots staff call-outs; attempts to find coverage or shifts people into positions of priority, if needed.
• Communicates any staff issues or problems to the Assistant Prepared Foods Manager - FOH and P&E
• Completes replenishment ordering for all vendors in designated departments and/or categories
• Maintains accuracy of inventory and cycle counts
• Maintains strong vendor relationships and communication
• Tracks product performance trends and sales and relays pertinent facts to the Category Manager
• Tracks product movement as well as "out of stocks" on the shelf and relays pertinent information to the Category Manager
• Relays vendor and product issues to the Category Manager that can’t be solved
• Monitors inventory and maintains appropriate shelf and backstock levels
• Ensures that each guest receives outstanding service by providing a friendly environment, which includes greeting and acknowledging every guest, maintaining outstanding standards, solid product knowledge and all other aspects of guest service
• Completes all register transactions accurately and maintains the highest cash handling standards
• Prepares espresso drinks, teas, smoothies and fresh juices (Espresso & Juice Bar)
• Maintains an orderly station in which surfaces are continually wiped down and supplies are fully stocked

Healthy Living Market and Café is an equal opportunity employer and we’re proud to hire a diverse, inclusive Staff!