Job Description

Head Barista (Lead Barista) ☕

Ocho Cafe - Mission Viejo, CAAbout Us

Ocho Cafe is a vibrant, community-focused cafe in Mission Viejo known for our dedication to high-quality, ethically sourced coffee and our imaginative menu of crafted specialty beverages. We are seeking a highly experienced, dedicated, and skilled Head Barista to lead our bar operations, elevate our team's performance, and ensure our beverage program is consistently world-class.

The Role

We are seeking a seasoned Head Barista with 3–5 years of professional experience in a high-volume, quality-driven cafe environment. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the coffee bar. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in coffee and a proven ability to consistently execute a wide range of specialty drinks, including matcha lattes, seasonal crafted beverages, and complex espresso preparations.

Key ResponsibilitiesHands-On Leadership & Quality Control

• Lead by Example: Be a hands-on leader, personally working shifts on the bar, especially during peak hours, to demonstrate efficiency, speed, and precision in beverage making.
• Beverage Mastery: Prepare and serve all coffee, espresso, and specialty drinks, ensuring consistency and quality with every cup.
• Quality Assurance: Maintain the highest standards for all beverages, including regularly dialing in espresso, calibrating grinders, and ensuring precise execution of specialty drinks like matcha lattes and house-made creations.
• Bar Direction: Direct and manage the daily operations of the coffee bar, ensuring efficiency, cleanliness, and organization.

Team Development & Operations

• Training & Coaching: Develop and conduct thorough training for all baristas on coffee preparation techniques, specialty drink recipes, and customer service standards.
• Inventory Management: Manage inventory for all coffee, milk, syrups, and bar supplies, placing orders to maintain optimal stock levels while minimizing waste.
• Maintenance: Oversee the regular cleaning and preventative maintenance of all coffee equipment (espresso machine, grinders, brewers).

Qualifications

• Required: 3–5 years of continuous professional barista experience in a high-volume, specialty coffee shop.
• Leadership Experience: Prior experience in a supervisory, lead, or training role is highly preferred.
• Technical Mastery: Expert proficiency in all aspects of espresso preparation, latte art, advanced brewing methods, and flawless, quick execution of crafted specialty beverages.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Availability to work various shifts, including early mornings, weekends, and holidays.

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive Salary/Hourly Wage commensurate with experience, plus excellent tips.
• Leadership Opportunity to shape the cafe's beverage program and team culture.
• Free shift meals and unlimited coffee beverages.
• Opportunities for advanced industry training and professional development.

How to Apply

If you are a proven coffee leader with the expertise and passion to guide our bar team at Ocho Cafe, we encourage you to apply!

Please submit your detailed resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant hands-on leadership and specialty beverage experience

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Full time, Part time, Shift work, Early shift,

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