Lead Barista

Goodwin Recruiting; New York (NY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Free food and coffee on shift

Free play passes for your kids

Real ownership of the coffee program

Job summary

Goodwin Recruiting partners with a café to seek a Lead Barista for a full-time daytime role. The position focuses on owning the espresso program, setting recipes, and coaching a team of baristas across opening and daily operations.

The role requires at least 2 years in specialty coffee with experience leading shifts or training others, plus a NYC Food Protection certificate. Expect collaborative work with the kids’ program and parental customers in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in specialty coffee with some experience leading shifts or training others.
• NYC Food Protection certificate is required.
• Comfort with inventory counts, ordering, and end-of-day reporting.

Responsibilities

• Own the espresso program: set recipes and dial-in specs; write the drink build guide and ensure quality with Partners Coffee and La Marzocco Linea Classic.
• Train and support baristas, starting with pre-opening training and ongoing coaching.
• Lead shifts: assign stations, cover breaks, and handle guest issues calmly.
• Manage inventory and ordering for the bar and back of house; set par levels and track waste.
• Run opening and end-of-day procedures for front and back of house, including POS reports and cleaning checklists.
• Keep equipment in shape: cleaning schedule, basic maintenance, and service coordination.
• Serve as person-in-charge for health inspections and sanitation logs.
• Collaborate with kids' program team on birthday parties, class rushes, and shared space.
• Pull shots, take orders, and ensure parents feel looked after even with toddlers.

Skills

Specialty coffee experience

Team training

Customer service

Education

NYC Food Protection certificate

Job description

Position: Lead Barista (Full-time)

Overview: Lead the coffee program at a growing play café, setting standards, training the team, and overseeing daily bar operations. Help build the espresso program from day one and lead by example. Daytime shifts only, ending by 6 p.m. (no late nights or bar crowds).

The job:

• Own the espresso program: set recipes and dial-in specs, write the drink build guide, and keep quality consistent on Partners Coffee and our La Marzocco Linea Classic
• Train and support our baristas, starting with pre-opening training and continuing with day-to-day coaching and feedback
• Lead shifts: assign stations, cover breaks, and handle guest issues calmly before they escape
• Manage inventory and ordering for the bar and back of house: set par levels, place orders for coffee, milk, food, and supplies, and track waste
• Run opening and end-of-day procedures for front and back of house, including POS reports, and cleaning checklists
• Keep equipment in shape: run the cleaning schedule, handle basic maintenance, and coordinate service calls
• Serve as person-in-charge for health inspections and keep temperature and sanitation logs current
• Work with our kids' program team on birthday parties, class rushes, and shared space
• If required, still pull shots, take orders, and make parents feel genuinely looked after, often while they’re holding a toddler

What we’re looking for:

• 2+ years in specialty coffee, including some experience leading shifts or training others
• NYC Food Protection certificate (required)
• Comfort with the operational side: inventory counts, ordering, and end-of-day reporting
• Patience and warmth. Our guests arrive with kids, strollers, and occasionally a madness in progress
• Calm under pressure, and the ability to give a coworker feedback kindly and clearly
• Reliability above all. No tolerance for tardiness, or absences without notice
• Weekend availability. Saturdays and Sundays are our busiest days
• Shifts: Five to six days a week, 8am to 3pm, depending on the cafés necessities, but Saturday and Sunday is a must.

What you get:

• $23–26/hour plus tips
• paid sick leave
• free food and coffee on shift
• free play passes for your own kids
• real ownership of the coffee program and a say in how the café runs.