Lead Barista

Totême; New York (NY); On-site; USD 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

TOTEME Kafé on Madison Avenue in New York City seeks a Lead Barista to manage daily operations and deliver exceptional service. The role is full-time and based at the NY location, reporting to the Store Manager and collaborating with the Madison Avenue team.

Requirements include 3+ years in café/hospitality, supervisory experience, and English fluency. A Food Protection Certificate is preferred or can be obtained before start date. Salary ranges from USD 19 to 22 per hour.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of experience in a café, specialty coffee or hospitality environment, including supervisory duties.
• Fluent in spoken and written English.
• Willingness to obtain Food Protection Certificate before start date.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily Kafé operations, including opening and closing procedures and service flow.
• Deliver welcoming customer experience reflecting TOTEME standards.
• Guide and motivate the Kafé team during shifts.
• Prepare and serve coffee, beverages, cakes, and other products.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene, cleanliness and presentation.
• Monitor inventory, coordinate replenishment, receive deliveries, minimize waste.
• Oversee POS transactions, cash handling, and daily reconciliation.
• Partner with Madison Avenue Store Team for seamless customer experience.
• Contribute to TOTEME’s sustainability initiatives.

Skills

Café / hospitality experience

Supervisory experience

Fluent English

Education

Food Protection Certificate

Tools

POS systems

Cash handling

Inventory management systems

Job description

About TOTEME

TOTEME is a fashion house rooted in Swedish sensibilities, modern aspirations, and the notion of style.

With an appreciation for how pieces are worn in practice, we create emblematic designs with an emphasis on materiality and shape. Archetype pieces are realized in authentic materials, rich textures and graphic silhouettes. Representing a direct and decisive way of dressing, the collections are contextualized in curated edits, visuals, and spaces.

TOTEME was founded in 2014 by Elin Kling and Karl Lindman. From the atelier in Stockholm, we create women’s and men’s collections spanning ready-to-wear, shoes, bags, accessories, and jewelry.

The Role

TOTEME is looking for a Lead Barista to join our team on a full-time basis. The role is based at our new TOTEME Kafé, located next to the Madison Avenue Flagship store. In this role, you will lead the daily Kafé operations, ensuring excellent service, efficient workflows, and the highest standards of quality and hygiene. You will report to the Store Manager and work directly with the Kafé Team and Madison Avenue Store Team.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily Kafé operations, including opening and closing procedures, task allocation, and service flow.

• Deliver a welcoming and attentive customer experience that reflects TOTEME’s identity and service standards.

• Guide, motivate, and support the Kafé team throughout each shift.

• Prepare and serve coffee, beverages, cakes, and other products.

• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene, cleanliness, and presentation.

• Monitor inventory, coordinate replenishment, receive deliveries, and minimize product waste.

• Oversee point-of-sale transactions, cash handling, daily reconciliation, and operational reporting.

• Partner with the Madison Avenue Store Team to create a seamless overall customer experience.

• Participate in and contribute to TOTEME’s social and environmental sustainability strategy.

Your Profile

• At least three years of experience in a café, specialty coffee, or hospitality environment, including previous supervisory experience.

• Food Protection Certificate holder, or willingness to obtain the certification ahead of start.

• Skilled in using point-of-sale, cash management, and inventory systems.

• Strong knowledge of coffee preparation, café workflows, and food safety practices.

• Fluent in spoken and written English.

About You

• A TOTEME ambassador who lives and breathes our culture and values.

• A confident and supportive leader with excellent communication skills.

• Organized, solution-oriented, and calm in a fast-paced environment.

• Hands‑on, attentive to detail, and committed to exceptional service.

• Flexible and available to work mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.

This is a full‑time position based at TOTEME Kafé on Madison Avenue in New York City, starting in November 2026.

The hourly salary for this role ranges between USD 19-22 before tax and will be set according to the applicant's profile, skills and previous experience.

TOTEME has teams in Stockholm, London, New York, and Shanghai, as well as retail spaces across Europe, North America, and Asia.

TOTEME has an internal career development and title framework and the job title used in the recruitment ad may differ from the title used internally at TOTEME.

Candidates progress through application, screening, interviews or case assessments, followed by final pre‑employment checks and a formal offer before joining our team. We anonymize names and personal details in applications during the screening stage to support fair and skills‑based hiring.