Lead Barista & Café Shift Leader

Alma; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Alma is seeking a Lead Barista in San Luis Obispo to guide cafe operations, support and develop the barista team, and ensure consistently excellent guest experiences during busy service periods.

Ideal candidates bring 1–2 years of leadership in hospitality, a passion for specialty coffee, and strong coaching and communication skills. The role requires flexibility with early mornings, weekends, and holidays, and will involve managing shifts, inventory, and standard coffee program execution.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of leadership or supervision in a cafe or hospitality setting.
• Strong passion for specialty coffee and guest service.
• Ability to coach and train teammates and provide clear feedback.
• Calm, organized, and dependable in a fast-paced cafe environment.
• Flexible availability including mornings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead cafe shifts and act as key holder when leadership is not on site.
• Support and train baristas; oversee daily cafe operations.
• Maintain a calm, organized, and welcoming environment during service.
• Monitor workflow, ticket times, and guest experience throughout service.
• Communicate inventory, prep needs, and equipment issues during handoffs.
• Uphold food safety and sanitation standards across all cafe functions.
• Collaborate with the GM and cafe team to ensure smooth service.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Coaching

Hospitality

Customer service

Education

ServSafe, SHPT, and RBS certifications

Tools

Toast POS

Google Workspace

Job description

Alma is seeking a Lead Barista in San Luis Obispo to guide cafe operations, support and develop the barista team, and ensure consistently excellent guest experiences during busy service periods.

Ideal candidates bring 1–2 years of leadership in hospitality, a passion for specialty coffee, and strong coaching and communication skills. The role requires flexibility with early mornings, weekends, and holidays, and will involve managing shifts, inventory, and standard coffee program execution.