Lead Barista

Multnomah Athletic Club; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Facility access to gym, classes, pools

Free parking

401(k) with employer match

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Discounts on club services and meals

Job summary

The Multnomah Athletic Club is seeking a Lead Barista to join our Catering & Events team and will play a key role in delivering an exceptional café experience for our members and guests. This hands-on leadership position oversees daily coffee operations, ensuring outstanding beverage quality, efficient service, and a welcoming atmosphere.

You'll lead by example on the floor, provide training and coaching to baristas, and help maintain the high standards that define the member experience at the

Qualifications

• Two or more years of barista or specialty coffee experience.
• Experience training, mentoring, or leading a team.
• Strong knowledge of espresso and beverage recipes.
• Experience operating espresso equipment and POS systems.
• Knowledge of café opening/closing procedures and inventory.
• Food safety and sanitation understanding.
• Excellent communication and coaching skills.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment.
• Oregon Food Handler Card (or ability to obtain).

Responsibilities

• Lead daily setup, service, and breakdown of espresso bar and cafe areas.
• Prepare and serve high-quality beverages with consistency and speed.
• Coordinate workflow and provide shift-level leadership during peak times.
• Train and coach baristas on beverage prep, standards, and POS use.
• Communicate menu changes and operational expectations to the team.
• Maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and food safety throughout the cafe.
• Assist with inventory, ordering, rotation, and waste tracking.
• Monitor equipment and report maintenance needs.
• Collaborate on new beverages, promotions, and improvements.
• Deliver warm, knowledgeable service and support member needs.
• Promote teamwork, safety, and adherence to Club standards.

Skills

Barista experience

Training leadership

Espresso preparation

Espresso machines

Café operations

Inventory practices

Food safety knowledge

Communication & coaching

Task prioritization

Attention to detail

Oregon Food Handler Card

Tools

Commercial espresso machines

Grinders

Point-of-sale systems

Job description

The Role

The Multnomah Athletic Club is seeking a Lead Barista to join our Catering & Events team and will play a key role in delivering an exceptional café experience for our members and guests. This hands-on leadership position oversees daily coffee operations, ensuring outstanding beverage quality, efficient service, and a welcoming atmosphere. You'll lead by example on the floor, provide training and coaching to baristas, and help maintain the high standards that define the member experience at the Club.

Schedules vary based on business needs and may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Regular and reliable attendance is required.

What You'll Do

• Lead the daily setup, service, and breakdown of the espresso bar and café service areas.
• Prepare and serve high-quality coffee and espresso beverages while ensuring consistency, presentation, and speed of service.
• Coordinate workflow and provide shift-level leadership during busy service periods to maintain efficient operations.
• Train, coach, and support baristas on beverage preparation, coffee knowledge, service standards, workflow, and point-of-sale systems.
• Communicate menu updates, product availability, and operational expectations to team members.
• Maintain exceptional cleanliness, organization, sanitation, and food safety standards throughout the café.
• Support inventory management through ordering assistance, stock rotation, par-level maintenance, inventory counts, and waste tracking.
• Monitor espresso machines and café equipment, ensuring proper use and proactively reporting maintenance needs.
• Collaborate on new beverage offerings, seasonal promotions, menu enhancements, and operational improvements.
• Deliver warm, knowledgeable, and attentive service while responding to member and guest needs with professionalism.
• Promote teamwork, workplace safety, and adherence to Club standards.
• Assist with other Food & Beverage operations and special assignments as needed.

What You'll Bring

• Two or more years of barista or specialty coffee experience; experience in a high-volume café, restaurant, or hospitality environment preferred.
• Prior experience training, mentoring, or providing day-to-day leadership and direction to team members.
• Strong knowledge of espresso preparation, brewing methods, coffee quality standards, and beverage recipes.
• Experience operating commercial espresso machines, grinders, point-of-sale systems, and other café equipment.
• Understanding of café operations, including opening and closing procedures, workflow management, and service readiness.
• Knowledge of inventory practices, including ordering, stock rotation, par levels, and waste management.
• Working knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and safe food-handling practices.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills with a strong member-service mindset.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, adapt to changing business needs, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to delivering consistent quality and exceptional service.
• Current Oregon Food Handler Card or the ability to obtain certification within the required timeframe.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout scheduled shifts.
• Frequently perform repetitive hand and arm movements while preparing beverages, stocking supplies, cleaning, and operating equipment.
• Occasionally lift and move supplies and products weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to work safely around hot liquids, steam, and commercial food-service equipment.

What You'll Gain

• Full-time employees: Enjoy medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Facility access: Free access to our exercise room and classes, climbing gym, and pools.
• Convenience: Free parking and discounted public transportation passes.
• Retirement: Participate in our 401(k) program with an employer match.
• Well-being: Access our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for free.
• Perks: Enjoy discounts on club services and meals.

At The MAC, we are committed to creating exceptional experiences for our members, guests, and employees. If you're passionate about coffee, hospitality, and developing others while working in a collaborative and service-focused environment, we'd love to hear from you.

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