Shift Leader

Starbucks; Sugar Hill (GA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Free drink per shift

50% off drinks

PTO for full-time

Tuition Assistance

50% off food items

Performance bonuses

401(k) retirement plan

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Cup of Joe Cafes, a Starbucks licensed operator in downtown Sugar Hill, GA, seeks a Shift Lead to own the guest experience and keep the team performing at peak levels on every shift.

You will lead on the floor, mentor staff, and ensure brand standards while adapting to busy periods. This role emphasizes hospitality, reliability, and teamwork in a fast-paced cafe setting.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year in a supervisory or lead role in food service, retail, or hospitality.
• Lead by example and stay calm under pressure.
• Reliable, punctual, and set a positive tone for the team.
• Comfortable with the tech side: POS, scheduling, and daily reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the shift from the floor - direct workflow and support baristas.
• Open or close the store, including cash handling and end-of-day reporting.
• Coach the team on drink craft and brand standards in real time.
• Manage shift staffing and adjust roles as volume changes.
• Handle guest concerns with confidence and care to encourage return visits.
• Complete daily tasks: inventory checks, cleaning, stocking to stay guest-ready.
• Train and support new team members; model desired behavior.
• Communicate shift notes and performance updates to the Store Manager.

Skills

Supervisory Experience

Guest Service

Cash Handling

POS Systems

Staff Training

Tools

POS Systems

Scheduling Tools

Daily Reporting

Job description

About the Role

Cup of Joe Cafes is looking for an energetic, guest-obsessed Shift Lead to join our team at our Starbucks licensed store in downtown Sugar Hill, GA. A tight-knit and fast-growing community on the northern edge of Metro Atlanta, this location draws loyal regulars and a steady crowd of locals who love what we do. If you love leading a fast-moving team, thrive in a high-energy environment, and take pride in delivering an exceptional Starbucks experience on every shift, we want to hear from you.

As a Shift Lead, you will be the floor leader when the Store Manager is off-site. You will own the guest experience, keep the team operating at its best, and make real-time decisions to keep the store running smoothly - all while staying side by side with your team on the floor.

What You'll Do

• Lead the shift from the floor - directing workflow, supporting baristas, and delivering a consistently excellent Starbucks experience to every guest
• Open or close the store, including cash handling, safe counts, and end-of-day reporting
• Maintain product quality and consistency by coaching the team on drink craft, recipes, and Starbucks brand standards in real time
• Manage shift staffing - deploying team members where they are needed most, adjusting positions as volume changes throughout the day
• Handle guest concerns with confidence and care, turning a difficult moment into a reason to come back
• Complete daily tasks including inventory checks, cleaning standards, and stocking to keep the store guest-ready
• Train and support new team members, modeling the behaviors and standards that make our store stand out
• Communicate clearly with the Store Manager on shift notes, team performance, and any operational issues

Who You Are

• You have at least 1 year of experience in a supervisory or lead role in food service, retail, or hospitality
• You lead by example - you don't ask your team to do anything you wouldn't do yourself
• You stay calm and focused when the rush hits and can hold the floor together under pressure
• You are genuinely warm with guests and partners alike - hospitality isn't a script for you, it's just how you operate
• You are reliable, punctual, and understand that a shift lead's presence sets the tone for the entire team
• You pick up on details - whether it's a drink quality issue, a guest who seems frustrated, or a team member who needs a word of encouragement
• You're comfortable with the tech side of the role: POS systems, scheduling tools, and daily reporting
• Starbucks experience is a plus but not required - we can teach the craft; we can't teach the attitude
• You're comfortable following Starbucks appearance standards (solid black top, black or khaki bottoms, slip-resistant shoes, apron provided) - full dress code shared at interview

What We Offer

• $16 - $17/hr base pay + tips (avg $2.50 - $3.00/hr) - most shift leads take home $18.50- $20.00/hr
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available for full-time employees
• 1 free drink per shift in your reusable cup + 50% off additional drinks
• PTO available for full-time employees
• College Tuition Assistance
• 50% off food items every shift
• Quarterly performance bonuses for attendance & standards
• 30% off retail merchandise including packaged coffee
• $500 Coffee Master certification bonus
• Flexible scheduling - we work around your life
• Real growth path - we promote from within
• Work in the heart of Sugar Hill’s growing downtown - a tight-knit community just north of Atlanta
• A family-run company where you're known by name, not a number
• Starbucks recognition programs and brand training
• 401(k) retirement plan available

Requirements

• Must be 18 or older
• Able to stand for extended periods and lift up to 30 lbs
• Available for a mix of morning, midday, and closing shifts including weekends
• Must be authorized to work in the United States
• Food handler certification required (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire)

About Cup of Joe Cafes

Cup of Joe Cafes, LLC is a Starbucks licensed operator with locations across the Gulf Coast and Southeast. Our downtown Sugar Hill location sits at the center of one of Metro Atlanta’s most welcoming communities - a growing city where loyal regulars show up every morning and every team member is known by name. We run a high-volume operation with a small-business mentality: every team member matters, every guest interaction counts, and we genuinely invest in the people who show up for us.