Job Description

Lead Barista

Role Overview:

As Lead Barista at Qima Cafe, you will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the coffee bar, leading a team of skilled baristas, and ensuring consistent delivery of outstanding coffee and customer service. This is a hands-on leadership role that blends operational excellence with team mentorship, coffee quality control, and guest engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities:

1. Coffee Quality & Innovation

Maintain and elevate the quality of all espresso and brew-based beverages. Ensure recipe accuracy, consistent extraction, and calibration standards across shifts. Collaborate with the Head of Coffee to test new coffees and methods and deliver internal cuppings. Ensure cleanliness and upkeep of all brewing and espresso equipment.

2. Operational Leadership

Supervise day-to-day coffee bar operations, ensuring smooth workflow and consistent performance during peak and off-peak hours. Support floor management and service during busy periods, leading by example on bar and on the floor. Support rota scheduling in coordination with the Store Manager, and adjust breaks and coverage dynamically.

3. Equipment & Maintenance

Perform daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance checks on espresso machines, grinders, and brewing equipment. Troubleshoot basic technical issues and liaise with technicians when necessary. Keep cleaning logs up to date in line with health and safety requirements.

4. Inventory & Ordering

Monitor and maintain accurate stock levels for coffee, milk, alternative milks, and other bar consumables. Submit and track coffee bar orders, ensuring par levels are met. Record and report wastage, manage FIFO practices, and minimise loss.

5. Team Training & Development

Onboard and train new baristas, delivering internal barista development programs. Provide ongoing coaching, calibration refreshers, and skills assessments. Foster a collaborative, respectful, and high-performing team culture.

6. Guest Experience

Uphold Qima's premium hospitality standards at all times. Engage guests with knowledge of coffee offerings and the Qima story. Handle service feedback professionally and work with the wider team to resolve issues quickly.

Requirements:

Minimum 2 years of experience in a specialty coffee environment, including team supervision. Advanced barista training preferred (e.g., SCA Intermediate Barista & Brewing certifications). Strong communication, leadership, and organisational skills. Solid understanding of specialty coffee preparation, grinders, espresso machines, and manual brew methods. Ability to troubleshoot coffee quality issues and basic technical faults. Enthusiastic about coffee education and team development. Flexibility to work weekends and early/late shifts.

Benefits:

Competitive salary with performance-based incentives. Paid time off and holidays. Pension contributions. Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including leadership and advanced coffee certifications Employee discounts on cafe products. Free coffee and pastries during shifts. Flexible shift times to support work-life balance. Clear pathway to senior management roles and opportunities to explore other functions or departments within the organization.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 14.00-15.20 per hour

Expected hours: 40 - 48 per week

Benefits:

Company pension Cycle to work scheme Discounted or free food Employee discount Employee mentoring programme Referral programme
Ability to commute/relocate:

London W1T: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s):

what are your salary expectations? (in GBP) how long is your notice period? (in days)
Experience:

Lead Barista: 2 years (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 31/08/2025
Expected start date: 15/08/2025