Job Description

Job Title:

Skilled Daytime Barista with Occasional Evening Shifts - Hourly Paid with Excellent Benefits

Location:

Saxmundham High Street - IP17 1DF

Hourly Rate:

12.34 per hour (approx. 24,680 p.a. based on 40 hrs/week)

Start Date:

Immediate start - ideally week after next!

About Us

socialbar is a new wine bar and coffee space bringing exceptional coffee, natural wines and craft beer to Saxmundham High Street. We're part of the Society for the Preservation of Human Connection Ltd, creating spaces where people can connect through events like live music, tastings, talks and workshops. Our industrial-style space blends energy with calm, making it a welcoming hub for the community.

We're looking for a skilled daytime barista who's already at home in the world of specialty coffee -- the kind of environment where precision espresso extraction, silky microfoam and beautiful latte art are part of your daily rhythm. You'll know how to advise customers on different coffee origins and styles, and you'll bring confidence from working in quality-driven cafes (think London or other specialty coffee scenes). If that's you, we'd love to meet you.

Mainly, You'll Be:

Crafting exceptional coffee and alternative lattes - bringing skill and flair to every cup. Offering warm, attentive service that keeps guests coming back. Spotting opportunities to improve stock, service and customer experience. Opening/closing the cafe/bar and keeping the space clean and inviting.

Sometimes, You'll Be:

Helping with stock rotation and ordering. Serving wine, snacks and cheese/charcuterie boards.

What We're Looking For:

Proven experience in speciality cafes, with strong espresso, milk and latte art skills from day one. Confidence in talking customers through coffee choices and brewing styles. Reliability, flexibility and a can-do approach. Curiosity to keep learning -- in coffee, wine and beyond.

What We Offer:

12.34 per hour 28 days paid holiday (pro rata) Pension scheme with employer contribution (eligibility applies) Employee Assistance Programme with wellbeing support and discounts Food and drink perks (both free and discounted) Growth opportunities as the business develops
Schedule: 18-24 hours per week across a mix of daytime and occasional evening shifts. For the right person, we can adjust daytime hours to suit.

Please note:

This role is for experienced speciality cafebaristas only -- if you're still learning latte art, this one isn't for you. You should already be confident with precision espresso extraction, microfoam and latte art to a high standard. You'll know how to talk customers through coffee origins, flavour notes and brewing styles. You'll be expected to work through to Christmas and New Year (with those actual holidays off). The cafe will be closed for the first two weeks of January. If you cannot work these shifts, please let us know at the interview stage; priority may be given to those who can.

Next Steps:

We'll start with a short phone call, then meet in person if we think we're a good fit -- and give you the chance to show us your barista skills. If you're already confident in a specialty coffee setting and excited to join a growing independent cafe, apply today and tell us why you're the one.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: 12.34 per hour

Expected hours: 18 - 24 per week

Benefits:

Additional leave Casual dress Company events Company pension Discounted or free food Employee discount Health & wellbeing programme Sick pay Store discount
Application question(s):

In a busy speciality cafe, what's your personal "signature" when serving a flat white? (Tell us about your approach -- from extraction to presentation.) A customer asks for "something different" and you suggest an alternative latte (matcha, turmeric, chai, etc.). How would you describe it so they're excited to try it?
Work Location: In person