Cafe (Barista) Lead

Job summary

The Café Lead will oversee daily operations, including beverage preparation, inventory management, and staff training. They are also responsible for menu development, maintaining quality standards, and ensuring a welcoming guest experience.

Job details

About the Role We’re looking for a Café Lead to take ownership of the day-to-day café and help shape the next stage of the beverage program at a well-established destination in Port Perry. This is a hands-on opportunity for a strong barista or café professional who is ready for more ownership without stepping away from the bar. You’ll still be involved in day-to-day service, while also having a say in seasonal drinks, menu development, inventory and how the café operates. If you enjoy creating great drinks, working with people and finding ways to make a café better, this role gives you the opportunity to put those ideas into action. What You’ll Do Lead the day-to-day café operation and help keep service running smoothly, particularly during busy periods Prepare and oversee coffee, specialty beverages, smoothies, seasonal drinks and alcoholic beverages Develop new drinks and seasonal offerings, including recipes and beverage costing Maintain consistency in beverage quality, presentation and service Manage café inventory, ordering and deliveries while helping reduce waste and stockouts Support, train and guide café team members during shifts and help keep the team organized Handle opening and closing procedures and maintain a clean, organized café Work with the kitchen team to coordinate food and beverage service Create a welcoming guest experience and handle questions or concerns professionally Look for practical ways to improve the café, from new menu ideas to day-to-day processes What We’re Looking For 3+ years of experience in a café, coffee shop, restaurant or hospitality environment Strong barista experience and a genuine interest in coffee and beverages Ready to take the next step into a lead role, or already have café/team leadership experience Comfortable creating new drinks and experimenting with flavours and seasonal offerings Experience with inventory, ordering and/or beverage costing Comfortable staying organized and composed when the café gets busy Strong customer service and communication skills Reliable, hands-on and comfortable taking ownership Smart Serve and Food Handler certification Espresso experience is an asset Why This Role? This is more than a shift supervisor position. You’ll have the opportunity to help build the beverage program, bring new ideas to the menu and have a real influence on how the café develops. You’ll be part of a destination-style farm market where the café is an important part of the overall guest experience. It’s a collaborative environment where someone who takes initiative can make a noticeable impact. Weekend and holiday availability is required. ​ #P2

What you’ll do

The Café Lead will oversee daily operations, including beverage preparation, inventory management, and staff training. They are also responsible for menu development, maintaining quality standards, and ensuring a welcoming guest experience.

Requirements

Candidates must have at least 3 years of experience in a hospitality or café environment with strong barista skills. Professional certifications such as Smart Serve and Food Handler are required, along with the ability to work weekends and holidays.

Listed skills

• Customer service · Preferred
• Food safety · Preferred
• Quality Control · Preferred
• Team Leadership · Preferred
• Communication Skills · Preferred
• Inventory management · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Barista
• Coffee preparation
• Menu development
• Inventory management
• Team leadership
• Customer service
• Beverage costing
• Staff training
• Opening and closing procedures
• Quality control
• Communication skills
• Recipe development
• Espresso machine operation
• Food safety
• Menu Planning
• Influencing Skills
• Espresso Beverages
• Food Handler's Card
• Customer Service
• Communication
• Proactivity
• Restaurant Operation
• Team Leadership

Job areas

• Food & Beverage
• Hospitality
• Management & Leadership
• Retail
• Customer Service & Support
• Cafe Barista
• Barista
• Bartenders
• Baristas
• Fast Food and Counter Workers

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