Lead Barista & Café Team Coach

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc.; Kentucky; On-site; USD 16,531 - 22,041; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Discount

EAP

Sick Pay

Paid Time Off including paid Maternity

Parental Leave

Company Paid Holidays

Transit and 401(k) with Company Match

Comprehensive Health Benefits (Medical

Dental and Vision)

Healthcare and Dependent Care Spending

Healthcare Spending Account

Disability Benefits

Life Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc. is seeking a Lead Barista to guide the café team, ensuring strong product presentation and smooth operation across shifts.

You will lead by example, coach baristas, and uphold hospitality standards to create a welcoming atmosphere for customers and staff alike. You will develop the team’s skills in drink making, food prep, and customer interactions while maintaining cleanliness and safe operations, including FIFO practices for deliveries and inventory.

Qualifications

• Leadership skills to guide cafe team and coach baristas.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality to set team standards.
• Flexibility to cover shifts across early mornings to late evenings.
• Positive, proactive approach that inspires the team and customers.
• Willingness to learn new skills and develop a bookselling/café career.
• Ability to de-escalate challenging situations and monitor loss prevention.
• Commitment to cleanliness, presentation, and high standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach café team to model best practices in drink making, food prep, and service.
• Coach merchandising and display to maintain vibrant bake case and clean presentation.
• Oversee FIFO inventory and deliveries, stocking and organizing shelves and counters.
• Improve register speed and customer conversations; ensure accurate transactions.
• Maintain Café cleanliness and adherence to safety, hygiene, and sanitation guidelines.
• Support bookfloor team with presentation standards; uphold loss prevention procedures.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Reliability

Flexibility

Positive attitude

Willingness to learn

Curiosity

Conflict de-escalation

Resource prioritization

Team motivation

Job description

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc. is seeking a Lead Barista to guide the café team, ensuring strong product presentation and smooth operation across shifts.

You will lead by example, coach baristas, and uphold hospitality standards to create a welcoming atmosphere for customers and staff alike. You will develop the team’s skills in drink making, food prep, and customer interactions while maintaining cleanliness and safe operations, including FIFO practices for deliveries and inventory.