Cafe Team Expert

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc.; Alaska; On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading bookseller is seeking a Cafe Team Expert in Alaska to lead the cafe team, ensuring a welcoming environment for customers and driving sales through effective strategies. Key responsibilities include managing inventory, coaching team members, and adhering to safety and hygiene standards. This role requires strong communication skills and a positive attitude to inspire the team. Candidates should have a passion for food and beverage service and be proactive in their development.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills to support team and customer interactions.
• Ability to lead by example and inspire others positively.
• Proficient in drink making and maintaining presentation standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead cafe team and ensure a welcoming environment for customers.
• Drive sales through effective business strategies and teamwork.
• Manage inventory and ensure compliance with safety guidelines.

Job description

Overview

A Barnes & Noble bookstore is a gathering place for readers and the community. As Cafe Team Expert (CTE), you are an integral leader for the cafe team. You work through the team to develop their knowledge to create a welcoming environment for our customers. You are good at identifying and connecting data, using it to impact sales, trends, waste, inventory and other components to ensure a profitable Cafe. In this role, you present viable business strategies and work collaboratively with the Store Manager (SM) to implement and adapt cafe action plans to deliver expected results.

Key Behaviors

• Maintain reliable and punctual attendance for scheduled shifts, setting the standard for the team and ensuring consistent leadership presence on the floor.
• Fill scheduling gaps when you are able, being flexible and responsive to the needs of the store — we are open from early mornings to late evenings every day, including weekends and most holidays.
• Are positive and proactive in your approach to work; you lead by example with purpose and energy, working hard and reliably while inspiring others to do the same.
• Are supportive of the entire store team, demonstrating kindness, fairness, encouragement and respect.
• Are always cheerful and helpful with customers, consistently going out of your way to help them and modeling this for the store team.
• Take initiative to drive your own development, are an enthusiastic learner and use feedback to improve skills.
• Are an active listener who understands information and clearly communicates messages as expected to support company initiatives and goals.
• Prioritize resources and barista support appropriately to keep the shift on track.
• Above all, show that you enjoy being a barista!

Operational Competencies

• Using mastered skills in drink making, creating and maintaining food and beverage presentation standards and adjusting displays, modeling and coaching others in their effective use.
• Using strong visual merchandising skills, to maintain counter and floor retail fixtures.
• Running an efficient and quick register while taking orders, coaching others on efficient order taking and speed of service.
• Using bookselling skills to support the bookfloor team willingly and effectively when available.
• Actively coaching the team to follow loss prevention procedures, and maintain a safe, secure bookstore by the ability to spot theft and effectively de‑escalate challenging situations and problematic behaviors.
• Managing inventory through effective food and beverage orders.
• Completing and submit accurate monthly inventory and waste log on time.

Development and Growth

• Use expert knowledge to make effective food and beverage recommendations to customers, acting as a role model to the team.
• Review category sales, inventory quantities and product waste reports, assessing and acting on information to maximize our sales and profitability.
• Meet with the SM regularlly to review cafe sales performance, profitability, training, and opportunities, to drive cafe results.
• Use knowledge about café safety, hygiene, sanitation guidelines and procedures to maintain all standards appropriately.

You will, of course, comply with all company policies and procedures.