Barista & Retail Sales Associate

Saratoga Chocolate Company – Saratoga Springs, NY
Part-Time | 3–4 Shifts Per Week
Friday Morning/Daytime Availability Required

Saratoga Chocolate Company is looking for a warm, reliable and highly capable Barista & Retail Sales Associate to join our team at our downtown Saratoga Springs chocolate shop and café.

We are a locally owned artisan chocolate company known for handcrafted chocolates, exceptional quality and creating memorable experiences for our customers. Our shop combines a specialty chocolate boutique with a café, so this position is equal parts hospitality, retail sales, barista work and day-to-day shop operations.

This is not a position where you simply take orders and make drinks. We are looking for someone who notices what needs to be done, takes pride in doing things well, enjoys interacting with customers and can be trusted to help keep the shop running smoothly.

Schedule & Availability

This position will generally be scheduled 3–4 shifts per week.

Friday morning and daytime availability is required. Additional availability during weekdays and weekends is strongly preferred.

Because our business becomes significantly busier during the holiday season, candidates should also be comfortable working in a fast-paced retail environment during November and December.

What You'll Do

Responsibilities include:

• Welcome customers warmly and provide knowledgeable, attentive service
• Prepare espresso drinks, hot chocolate and other café beverages consistently and efficiently
• Help customers select chocolates, gifts and other products based on their needs and preferences
• Actively contribute to sales rather than simply operating the register
• Learn our chocolate varieties, flavors, ingredients, gift options and seasonal products so you can confidently make recommendations
• Operate the POS system and accurately handle cash and credit-card transactions
• Package chocolates and prepare customer purchases with care and attention to presentation
• Restock chocolates, retail merchandise, café supplies and packaging throughout the shift
• Maintain attractive, organized and fully stocked product displays
• Complete opening and/or closing procedures accurately
• Maintain a clean café, retail floor, counters, equipment and customer areas
• Wash dishes, sweep, mop, take out trash/recycling and complete other routine cleaning responsibilities
• Monitor inventory on the sales floor and communicate low-stock items to management
• Assist with seasonal displays, merchandising and shop changeovers
• Work cooperatively with other team members and step in where needed during busy periods

What We're Looking For

We are particularly interested in someone who brings the following qualities to our team:

Dependability. You show up when scheduled, arrive on time and understand that in a small business, one person's absence has an immediate impact on everyone else.

Warm, confident customer service. You genuinely enjoy interacting with people. You can greet a customer, start a conversation, answer questions and make someone feel welcome without being prompted.

Sales ability. You are comfortable making recommendations and helping customers discover products they will enjoy. You understand the difference between being pushy and providing excellent, knowledgeable sales assistance.

Initiative. You don't wait to be told every next step. If the shop is quiet, you notice that a display needs restocking, dishes need washing or the floor needs attention and take care of it.

Attention to detail. You care whether a drink is made correctly, a gift is packaged beautifully, the cash drawer is accurate and the shop looks ready for customers.

Composure under pressure. When several customers arrive at once, you can prioritize, move efficiently and remain friendly rather than becoming visibly overwhelmed or frustrated.

Coachability. You can receive feedback, ask questions when you're unsure and adjust your approach without taking routine coaching personally.

Team orientation. You communicate respectfully, share responsibilities and understand that everyone sometimes needs to help with tasks outside their favorite part of the job.

Professional judgment. You know when you can solve a problem yourself and when you should involve a manager.

Strong work ethic. You are comfortable with the less glamorous parts of hospitality and retail—including cleaning, dishes, restocking, carrying supplies and maintaining the shop—not just making drinks and talking with customers.

Skills & Experience

Previous barista, café, restaurant, hospitality or retail experience is preferred, but we are willing to train the right person.

Strong candidates will have:

• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Strong customer-service instincts
• Comfort initiating conversations with customers
• Basic math and cash-handling skills
• Ability to learn a POS system and product information
• Ability to follow recipes and preparation standards consistently
• Good organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to move between multiple tasks without losing accuracy
• Ability to work independently when necessary
• Ability to work effectively as part of a small team
• A high standard for cleanliness and presentation
• Reliable transportation and consistent attendance
• Availability to work Friday mornings/daytime

Experience with espresso equipment, specialty coffee, premium food products, chocolate, retail merchandising or gift sales is a plus.

Physical Requirements

This is an active position. Team members spend most of their shifts standing and moving throughout the shop and must be comfortable bending, reaching, restocking merchandise, cleaning and carrying typical café and retail supplies.

About Saratoga Chocolate Company

Founded in Saratoga Springs, Saratoga Chocolate Company creates handcrafted artisan chocolates with a focus on quality, creativity and memorable customer experiences. Our mission is simple: to create memorable moments of joy through exceptional chocolate.

We're looking for someone who wants to contribute to that experience—not only by making a great drink or completing a transaction, but by helping make every customer who walks through our doors feel genuinely welcome.

To Apply

Please submit your resume along with a brief note telling us:

• Your current availability, including your availability on Fridays.
• Any previous café, barista, retail, restaurant or customer-service experience.
• Why you think you would be a good fit for Saratoga Chocolate Company.

We are looking for someone who can become a dependable, positive member of our team and would love to hear from candidates who take pride in excellent work and exceptional hospitality.

Pay: From $16.00 per hour

Expected hours: 12.0 – 18.0 per week

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16