Shift Lead

Chaipolitan Teahouse & Cafe; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fun & productive work environment

Free drink on shift

Shift meal 50% off

Off-duty food discount 25%

Company discount 25% off everything

Tip pool payouts

Dental/vision benefits

Leadership training

Job summary

Chaipolitan Nashville is seeking a dedicated shift lead to direct baristas, control service flow, and ensure exceptional guest experiences. You will assign stations, supervise day-to-day operations, and support the General Manager in delivering top-notch service.

Previous barista or supervisory experience, strong customer service, and excellent communication are required. Enjoy perks like a free drink on shift, discounts, and ongoing leadership training in a lively cafe setting.

Qualifications

• Experience in high-volume food/beverage settings with leadership responsibility.
• Ability to train and guide team members while maintaining quality standards.
• Strong customer service orientation and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with café point-of-sale systems and inventory management.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily shift operations by assigning baristas to stations and coordinating breaks.
• Manage flow and quality of food and beverages to ensure timely service.
• Coach and supervise baristas, communicate priorities, and escalate staffing concerns as needed.
• Prepare and serve chai, coffee, espresso drinks, teas, and related items per recipes.
• Greet customers, explain products, and handle dietary preferences professionally.
• Monitor inventory and ensure supplies are stocked during shifts.
• Maintain clean, safe operations, and comply with food-safety policies.

Skills

Leadership

Barista skills

Customer service

Communication

Inventory management

Staff mentoring

Food safety

POS systems

Tools

POS systems

Job description

ESTIMATED TOTAL HOURLY EARNINGS: $22–$26/HOUR

How Pay is Structured:

• Base Pay: $16/hour

• Estimated Payouts from Tip Pool: $6-10/hour

Our tip pool is distributed transparently based on hours worked. Whether you are dialed in on espresso or welcoming guests at the register, everyone shares in our shop’s success! Tip income is variable and not guaranteed. Estimated total earnings are based on projected tip-pool distributions and will vary based on sales, hours worked, shifts, and other factors.

We get it! You want to work somewhere exciting, fun, and enjoyable - a place to meet great co-workers and have an awesome time. Chaipolitan is that place! Experience is required, and we’ll also provide you with additional training.

Role:

The shift lead will be responsible for directing baristas and controlling the flow of food and beverages being served, primarily through assigning baristas to stations based on needs and managing inventory. Shift leads will report directly to the general manager, and also be responsible for barista-level tasks, such as preparing and serving varieties of chai, coffee, specialty drinks, and food and ensuring a great experience for customers. Shift leads provide operational direction to team members during assigned shifts but do not have authority to hire, terminate, promote, demote, set compensation, or independently impose employment discipline. Candidates should have the following qualifications and be able to fulfill the duties and responsibilities mentioned in this description while following the organization’s core mission and values.

At Chaipolitan, our mission is to bring authentic chai to the Nashville community, be involved with our customers, and create a sense of belonging for everyone who walks through our doors. We're not just about making chai. We want to create a fun and relaxing environment for everybody, and that includes you! All we ask is that when you assist customers and co-workers, you do it with a smile! You’ll make customers come back for some of the delicious food and drinks you made, and at the end of the day, you’ll have done more than help run a cafe. Chaipolitan means “chai for the people”, and that is exactly what you will help us provide by fulfilling our mission and values.

A qualified shift lead would enjoy the following job perks:

• Fun & productive work environment

• One FREE drink on shift.

• One shift meal on shift - 50% Off.

• 25% off-duty food/drink discount.

• 25% company discount on everything else!

• Payouts from tip pool

• Dental/vision benefits*

• Ongoing Leadership training

A Day in Your Chaipolitan Life!

Imagine opening the front door and coming into the smell of sweet, aromatic chai in the morning. You’ll set your stuff down in the back, help your baristas get their equipment started, make sure the place looks clean, and start your day! You’ll make your fellow peers and customers overjoyed by helping provide one of the best customer experiences in Nashville, hopefully making them return customers for future visits! You’ll help manage the flow of dine-in and takeout orders and ensure an outstanding customer experience, hopefully feeling proud of what you’re doing! If that doesn’t sound fun, we don’t know what is! Come on down to live the life at Chaipolitan!

Duties/Responsibilities

• Direct daily shift operations by assigning baristas to stations, coordinating breaks, and adjusting coverage based on customer volume and operational needs.

• Manage the flow, accuracy, quality, and timeliness of food and beverage orders while providing hands-on support during busy periods.

• Supervise and coach baristas, communicate shift priorities, reinforce company procedures, and **escalate** significant staffing or operational concerns to the General Manager.

• Prepare and serve chai, coffee, espresso beverages, herbal teas, specialty drinks, cold-pressed juices, ice cream, sandwiches, and other menu items according to established recipes and standards.

• Deliver an excellent guest experience by greeting customers, explaining products and prices, accommodating available dietary and beverage preferences, and resolving concerns professionally.

• Monitor inventory and ensure ingredients, food products, cups, lids, pastries, packaging, and other supplies are properly stocked throughout the shift.

• Maintain clean, organized, and safe operations while ensuring compliance with food-safety and sanitation requirements, workplace policies, service standards, and the organization’s mission and core values.

Qualifications

• Prior barista or comparable high-volume food-and-beverage experience required; previous leadership, training, or shift-supervision experience preferred.

• Proficiency in essential barista skills, including dialing in espresso, monitoring shot extraction, steaming properly textured microfoam, and preparing beverages according to established recipes and quality standards.

• Ability to lead by example, assign responsibilities, provide clear direction and constructive feedback, and maintain team accountability throughout a shift.

• Strong organizational and decision-making skills, including the ability to prioritize orders, adjust staffing assignments, monitor inventory, and maintain efficient service during busy periods.

• Excellent customer-service, communication, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to resolve guest and employee concerns promptly, calmly, and professionally.

• Proficiency with café or restaurant point-of-sale systems, and the ability to complete transactions and support baristas with system-related questions.

• Willingness to complete all required company and food-safety training to obtain food handler’s permit; ability to stand for extended periods and lift or move up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Chaipolitan is an equal-opportunity employer.

*Eligibility based on length of employment and other considering factors.