Lead Barista & Café Culture Leader

Casa Libre - Costa Mesa; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Casa Libre Costa Mesa is seeking a Shift Lead to guide daily café operations on the floor, lead from the front, and support a high-performing team delivering outstanding guest experiences. You will coach baristas, maintain espresso standards, manage workflow, and help grow the brand as Casa Libre expands to new locations while upholding hospitality rooted in warmth, heritage, and pride.

This role begins on site and requires a calm, energetic leader who can train others, handle busy service, and

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of leadership experience in a high-volume café.
• Strong coaching and guest-service focus.
• Espresso preparation and milk texturing skills.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily café operations on the floor and oversee shifts.
• Coach and motivate baristas; ensure consistency and quality.
• Maintain espresso dial-ins and beverage quality throughout the shift.
• Manage opening/closing procedures and daily inventory.

Skills

Hospitality leadership

Specialty coffee

Coaching & development

Espresso skills

Team leadership

Bilingual English/Spanish

Job description

For the one who leads with instinct, courage, and fire

Move like a jaguar.

If those words feel like they were written for you, you may be the Shift Lead we're searching for.

We are a respected, world-class Mexican grocery brand entering a new era of café culture, specialty coffee, fresh-roasted beans, and hospitality rooted in warmth, heritage, and pride. As we launch multiple new cafés over the next two years, we're building a team of leaders who are passionate about exceptional coffee, genuine hospitality, and developing great people.

This role begins on the café floor—leading from the front, supporting the team, and ensuring every shift delivers an outstanding guest experience. As we grow, you'll help build the culture, consistency, and operational excellence that define every Casa Libre café.

WHO YOU ARE

• A hospitality leader with at least 2 years of specialty coffee experience, including leadership responsibilities in a high-volume café.
• Passionate about coaching, developing people, and creating exceptional guest experiences.
• Skilled in espresso preparation, milk texturing, dial-ins, workflow management, and specialty coffee standards.
• Confident leading shifts while maintaining calm, positive energy during busy service.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Organized, accountable, and solutions-oriented.
• Someone who leads with humility, earns respect through action, and supports the team every day.
• A leader who treats every guest like family and every teammate with respect.

WHAT YOU'LL OWN

Leadership

• Lead daily café operations and ensure every shift runs smoothly and efficiently.
• Set the standard for hospitality, professionalism, and coffee quality.
• Coach, support, and motivate baristas throughout every shift.
• Make confident operational decisions while maintaining a positive team environment.

Coffee Craft

• Prepare espresso and coffee beverages with precision, consistency, and care.
• Maintain espresso dial-ins and ensure beverage quality throughout the day.
• Support baristas with technique, workflow, and quality standards.
• Follow beverage recipes and specialty coffee standards with consistency.

Hospitality

• Welcome every guest with genuine warmth and hospitality.
• Lead by example in creating memorable guest experiences.
• Resolve guest concerns with professionalism, empathy, and confidence.
• Foster a café environment where every guest feels seen, valued, and welcomed.

Café Operations

• Oversee opening, closing, and daily operational procedures.
• Manage workflow, labor deployment, and café readiness throughout each shift.
• Monitor inventory levels, communicate product needs, and maintain organized workstations.
• Ensure cleanliness, food safety, and operational standards are consistently maintained.
• Support café leadership in achieving daily sales and operational goals.

Team & Culture

• Train and mentor new baristas while reinforcing company standards.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Participate in coffee education, tastings, and ongoing team development.
• Build confidence in others through coaching, encouragement, and leadership.
• Help create a workplace where people are proud to work every day.

Growth & Development

• Support the opening of future café locations as the company expands.
• Help implement new systems, training programs, and operational standards.
• Partner with café leadership to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Grow with the company and pursue future leadership opportunities as Casa Libre continues to expand.

WHO THRIVES HERE

• Someone who leads with humility and confidence.
• Someone who can inspire a team while never stepping away from the work.
• Someone who believes great leadership begins with great hospitality.
• Someone who sees every shift as an opportunity to develop people, serve guests, and strengthen the culture.
• Someone who carries the spirit of the jaguar—quiet confidence, unwavering focus, and the courage to lead by example every single day.