Lead Barista - FT

Role Overview

As Lead Barista at Barnes & Noble, you’ll be a key part of the café team and a hands-on leader in the store. The role combines daily barista work with team guidance, helping maintain strong product presentation, smooth café operations, and a warm environment where teammates feel supported and customers feel welcome.

This position is based at AL - Mobile - McGregor Square - 3587 in the Mobile Metropolitan Area and is classified as full-time.

What Makes This Role Successful

The company looks for consistent, positive workplace habits and a strong service mindset. That includes dependable attendance, flexibility to help cover scheduling gaps, a proactive attitude, support for coworkers, cheerful customer interactions, and a genuine interest in learning and growing in a café or bookselling career.

• Arrive on time and maintain dependable attendance for every scheduled shift.
• Be flexible when shifts need coverage, including early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and most holidays.
• Lead by example with energy, initiative, and a constructive attitude.
• Support teammates, step in when needed, and help create a positive team culture.
• Bring a consistently friendly and helpful approach to customer service.
• Be eager to learn new skills and apply them effectively on the job.
• Use curiosity and ambition to grow within the café or bookstore environment.
• Serve as a dependable point of contact for baristas and booksellers when issues arise.
• Help prioritize tasks and resources so the shift stays organized and productive.
• Show genuine enthusiasm for working as a barista.

Core Duties

You will need to learn and demonstrate the operational standards expected of a Barnes & Noble barista, while also coaching others to follow best practices.

• Prepare drinks and food, use café tools and procedures correctly, and model high-quality execution for the team.
• Coach the team on merchandising so the bake case stays full, attractive, clean, and well presented.
• Support visual merchandising across the café, including counter and floor fixtures, while keeping the area neat.
• Improve register speed and accuracy while coaching baristas on customer interaction at the till.
• Help receive deliveries, unpack stock, and ensure items are shelved correctly using FIFO methods.
• Keep the café clean through completion of daily and weekly cleaning responsibilities.
• Support bookfloor presentation standards and upkeep when needed.
• Coach the team on loss prevention, store safety, theft awareness, and de-escalation of difficult situations.

Operational Growth

As your experience grows, you are expected to take on more advanced café responsibilities and deepen your knowledge of the business.

• Place food and beverage orders accurately and on time to keep the café stocked.
• Track and submit monthly inventory and waste logs correctly and within deadlines.
• Coach team members on recommending food and beverages to customers.
• Support sales goals tied to new limited-time offers, café promotions, and membership-related initiatives.
• Use café training tools and resources to help baristas broaden their skills.
• Apply safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards consistently.

Working Conditions

The job involves physical activity such as standing for long periods, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking. When needed, you may also work in other stores within the cluster to support broader operations.

Company Expectations

You are expected to follow all company policies and procedures. Barnes & Noble also emphasizes ongoing skill development and career progression as you demonstrate mastery in the role.

Benefits

Benefits depend on weekly scheduled hours and may vary by location and state rules. All benefits are offered under the terms of the current plan and may change in the future.

• Under 20 hours per week: Employee Discount, EAP, and Sick Pay.
• 20 to 29.99 hours per week: Employee Discount, EAP, Sick Pay, Paid Time Off, paid maternity and parental leave, company-paid holidays, transit benefits, and 401(k) with company match.
• 30 hours or more per week: Employee Discount, EAP, Sick Pay, Paid Time Off, paid maternity and parental leave, company-paid holidays, 401(k) with company match, comprehensive medical/dental/vision coverage, healthcare and dependent care spending accounts, healthcare spending account, disability benefits, life insurance, transit benefits, and tuition reimbursement.

Additional Information

More details about benefits can be provided by a recruiter or Human Resources.