Demo

Lead Barista

Semaphore Cafe
Chicago, IL Full Time
POSTED ON 12/30/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 1/30/2026
We are a brand spanking new cafe concept opening soon in East Garfield Park!

We are currently seeking a Lead Barista/Assistant Manager to head up our future team.

Qualifications: 
2 years of Barista experience 
1 years of Management experience
Ability to manage a small team while curating and leading the beverage program at the cafe. 
Experience opening a new concept is a plus!

Duties/Expectations:
Working with the owner, creating standards for workflow and execution of duties for staff - opening checklists, closing checklists, sidework checklist, etc.
Assisting with the hiring of staff.
Scheduling
Leading meetings when necessary.
Setting and maintaining standards for the beverage program for the FOH to follow, including training new team members.
Crafting seasonal recipes and new drink ideas on a quarterly basis.
Maintaining high standards for the cafe from cleaning to drink crafting to customer service.
Working alongside ownership to meet the goals of the cafe.
A positive attitude, leading by example, and takes pride in their work and their workplace.
Monthly inventory of FOH stock.
Receive orders, effectively communicating with vendors as needed.
As a new business duties and expectations will inevitably adjust, be assigned, change, etc so someone with flexibility who can roll with changes in a new business environment is a plus.

***No Bookkeeping or Payroll for this position required***

Shift expectations are pretty typical for cafe work - ability to stand for hours, lift heavy items at times, preparing beverages, customer service, delivering food and drink to customers, making smoothies, bagels, bagging pastries and specials, answering questions, etc. in addition to the aforementioned management duties. Knowledge of La Marzocco machines and Swan Grinders is a plus.

About the cafe:

Conveniently located steps from the Conservatory Green Line stop and major bus lines. Operating hours are projected to be from 7am-4pm, 7 days a week. In addition to coffee, tea, smoothies, bagels, pastries, specials, we will be serving a curated brunch menu all day long. A tentative opening date is dependent on when we get our team in place and trained. We will be using Toast POS, coffee is being supplied by Sparrow, tea by Spirit Tea, bread/pastries by Publican, bagels by Steingold's, with the remaining items being produced in house from scratch. We also have a small retail section as well.

Pay & Benefits:
This is an hourly position with the possibility for it to turn into a salaried position down the road. Pay is $18-22/hr tips and DOE. We offer PTO and quarterly bonuses based on meeting financial expectations. Free coffee and a shift meal is provided, 50% discounts on food and beverage items beyond that with a 20% discount on retail items. Benefits and pay will grow along with the success of the business. 

Applying:
Please provide a resume and cover letter with a brief summary of skills and work experience. We require three professional references. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to hearing from you!


Salary : $18 - $22

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