Head Barista

Job Purpose The Head Barista leads the coffee bar and is accountable for the quality and consistency of every beverage SHOT serves. The role manages and trains the barista team, owns daily dial-in and recipe standards, controls bar stock and equipment, and works with the Outlet In-Charge to deliver an outstanding speciality coffee experience.

Key Responsibilities Coffee Quality & Menu *Set and maintain beverage recipes, brew ratios and presentation standards across the coffee menu.

• Lead daily espresso and filter dial-in, and carry out regular cupping and taste calibration with the team.
• Work with roasters and suppliers on bean selection, seasonal offerings and new beverage development.
• Monitor drink consistency and correct any deviation from standards immediately.

Team Leadership & Training

• Supervise baristas on shift, allocating stations and duties to match business levels.
• Train new baristas through a structured onboarding programme and deliver ongoing skills sessions (extraction, milk texturing, latte art, manual brewing).
• Assess barista skills regularly and provide feedback and input for performance appraisals. * Prepare barista shift rosters in coordination with the Outlet In-Charge.
• Lead by example on service, grooming, attitude and hygiene.

Operations, Stock & Equipment

• Manage coffee bar inventory (beans, milk, syrups, consumables, retail coffee), including ordering, receiving and weekly stock counts.
• Apply FIFO, monitor freshness of beans by roast date, and control waste and variance. * Own the cleaning and maintenance schedule for espresso machines, grinders and brewers, including water filtration.
• Report equipment faults promptly and liaise with technicians for repairs and preventive maintenance.

Guest Experience

• Deliver warm, knowledgeable service and act as the coffee expert for guests.
• Drive sales of speciality drinks, retail beans and brewing equipment.
• Resolve guest feedback and complaints relating to beverages.

Compliance & Reporting *Ensure the bar complies with Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) requirements and company HACCP procedures.

• Maintain temperature, cleaning and waste logs and ensure they are complete for inspections.
• Report on stock levels, waste, equipment status and team performance to the Outlet In-Charge.
• Perform other reasonable duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent; hospitality qualification is an advantage.
• Minimum 3–5 years' barista experience in speciality coffee, including at least 1 year in a senior or supervisory role, preferably in the UAE.
• Expert skill in espresso extraction, dial-in, milk texturing, latte art and manual brew methods.
• Sound knowledge of coffee origins, processing methods, roast profiles and cupping.
• SCA Barista Skills Intermediate certificate or higher required; Professional level or other SCA modules (Brewing, Sensory) are an advantage.
• Proven experience training baristas and managing stock and rosters.
• Basic equipment maintenance knowledge (gaskets, burrs, water filtration).
• Valid Basic Food Hygiene certificate; PIC (Person in Charge) certificate is an advantage.
• Proficient with POS systems (e.g. Foodics, Micros) and basic MS Excel.
• Fluent spoken and written English; Arabic or additional languages are an advantage.

Pay: AED3,500.00 - AED3,750.00 per month

Work Location: In person