Lead Barista

787 Coffee; Montclair (NJ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

787 Coffee Co. in Montclair, NJ is seeking a Lead Barista to oversee daily on-site operations, ensure quality espresso drinks, and maintain a welcoming guest experience.

You will train and mentor baristas, assist with scheduling, manage inventory, and handle cash and POS duties while upholding health and safety standards.

This role reflects our values of connection, sustainability, and hospitality, and requires flexibility, weekend hours, and the ability to stand for extended periods.

Qualifications

• Strong barista skills with espresso, milk steaming, and latte art.
• Experience in customer service and hospitality.
• Leadership and coaching of team members.
• Operational cash handling, POS use and basic inventory.
• Interest in coffee origins, sustainability, and farm-to-cup practices.
• Previous café or F&B supervisory experience preferred.
• Ability to stand for long periods and work varied hours.
• High school diploma or equivalent; further hospitality training is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily coffee bar operations and guest experience.
• Prepare espresso-based drinks to company standards.
• Manage inventory of coffee and supplies.
• Train and mentor baristas, support scheduling and shift coverage.
• Engage with guests and share knowledge about origins and brewing methods.
• Support opening/closing procedures and cash handling.
• Represent 787 Coffee’s mission in store leadership and community spaces.

Skills

Espresso

Latte Art

Customer Service

Team Leadership

Cash Handling

Inventory Management

Health & Safety

Communication

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

POS System

Job description

Company Description

787 Coffee is a coffee company built around human connection, using specialty coffee as a way to bring people together. The company began at Hacienda Iluminada, its own farm in the mountains of Maricao, Puerto Rico, where coffee is grown, processed, and roasted with care. Today, 787 Coffee sources beans from its farm and neighboring farms that share a commitment to quality and sustainable practices. The company actively supports local coffee farmers and promotes Puerto Rico’s finest coffee. Team members join a mission-driven environment that values community, craft, and respect for the land.

Role Description

The Lead Barista is a full-time, on-site role based at the 787 Coffee location in Montclair, NJ. This role oversees daily coffee bar operations, including preparing espresso-based drinks and other beverages to company standards, managing inventory of coffee and supplies, and ensuring a clean, welcoming environment. The Lead Barista trains and mentors baristas, supports scheduling and shift coverage, and helps maintain consistent product quality and service. This position engages directly with guests, shares knowledge about coffee origins and brewing methods, and supports store leadership with basic opening and closing procedures, cash handling, and equipment care. The Lead Barista plays a key role in creating a warm, inclusive space that reflects the brand’s values of connection, sustainability, and hospitality.

Qualifications

• Strong barista skills, including espresso preparation, milk steaming, manual brewing methods, and latte art, with a focus on quality and consistency.
• Experience in customer service and hospitality, with the ability to communicate clearly, handle busy periods, and create a welcoming environment for all guests.
• Leadership and teamwork abilities, including training and coaching team members, supporting scheduling, and collaborating with store management.
• Operational skills such as cash handling, POS use, basic inventory management, and maintaining cleanliness and health and safety standards.
• Interest in coffee origins, sustainability, and farm-to-cup practices, with a willingness to share product knowledge and represent 787 Coffee’s mission.
• Previous experience in a café or food and beverage environment; supervisory or lead experience is preferred.
• Ability to stand for extended periods, lift moderate weights, and work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays as needed.
• High school diploma or equivalent; additional training in hospitality or culinary fields is a plus.