Lead Barista

Job Description: Lead Barista

Reports To: Cafe General Manager

Job Status: Part-Time / Full-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt

About Us: ALMA ("soul" in Spanish and Portuguese) is a neighborhood coffeehouse built around the heart and community of a farmers market - rooted in community, seasonal produce from local farms and makers, and genuine hospitality. With an excellent coffee program, baked goods, savory menus, takeout, and a small beer and wine list, we aim to be a warm and welcoming spot for both locals and tourists in San Luis Obispo.

The Role: As Lead Barista, you will play an important role in the daily operations of ALMA. This position is ideal for someone who naturally leads by example and takes pride in creating exceptional guest experiences. You'll help oversee the daily rhythm of the cafe, support and train the barista team, help keep the cafe organized, stocked, clean, and operating smoothly throughout service, and serve as a trusted key holder when leadership is not on site. The ideal candidate is passionate about coffee and hospitality, calm under pressure, highly dependable, and energized by building community through excellent service.

Our three core values shape everything we do: Authenticity, Respect,Enthusiasm.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Cafe OperationsShift Leadership

• Open and close the cafe independently as a trusted key holder
• Lead shifts and support the daily flow of cafe operations
• Serve as the "go-to" person during shifts when the GM is not present
• Maintain a calm, organized, and welcoming environment during busy service periods
• Monitor workflow, ticket times, and guest experience throughout service
• Support both cafe bar and floor operations as needed to ensure smooth service
• Communicate clearly during shift handoffs regarding inventory levels, prep needs, equipment issues, and 86'd items
• Troubleshoot operational issues in real time and escalate concerns appropriately

Coffee ProgramHospitality

• Prepare espresso beverages, coffee, tea, and other menu items with consistency, care, and attention to detail
• Lead with warmth and genuine hospitality, creating a welcoming experience for both locals and visitors
• Anticipate guest and team needs to help service run smoothly and efficiently
• Help ensure drinks, food, and service consistently reflect our standards and care
• Help educate and inspire team members around coffee knowledge, seasonal offerings, and service standards
• Keep an eye on inventory, prep levels, and product usage during scheduled lead shifts
• Assist with seasonal menu updates, beverage rollouts, and overall product quality
• Follow and reinforce all food safety, sanitation, and health department standards

TrainingTeam Development

• Help train and mentor new and existing baristas on workflow, drink preparation, guest service, and cafe standards
• Provide real time coaching and constructive feedback with clarity and professionalism
• Support onboarding and continued team development
• Model reliability, accountability, strong communication, and a positive attitude
• Maintain positive, professional relationships across both FOH and BOH teams to ensure a unified "one house" environment

Required Skills and Abilities:

• 1-2 years of leadership or supervisory experience in a cafe, coffeehouse, or hospitality environment
• Genuine passion for specialty coffee, seasonal food, hospitality, and community
• Strong leadership, communication, and coaching skills with the ability to give clear feedback
• Calm, organized, and dependable in a fast-paced environment
• A natural ability to anticipate the needs of guests and the team
• Experience with training, shift leadership, scheduling, and basic operational responsibilities
• Comfortable using Toast POS and Google Suite for reporting, ordering, and inventory
• Strong attention to detail with ordering, inventory counts, and shift communication
• Solid understanding of food safety and sanitation standards
• ServSafe, SHPT, and RBS certifications required (training provided)
• Collaborative, proactive, and motivated to continuously improve the guest and team experience
• Flexible availability, including early mornings, weekends, and holidays

Physical Requirements:

• High level of stamina to work on feet for extended periods (be able to work in a standing, upright position for long periods of time up to 8 hours
• Ability to occasionally lift, move, and transport furniture, equipment, and deliveries up to 50 pounds