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,