Barista - Temporary

Location: SC - Greenville - Greenville - 2558 | Classification: Temporary

About the role

A Barnes & Noble bookstore is a gathering place for readers and the community. As a Barista, you are an integral member of the team at the heart of our Cafés. You welcome customers in a cheerful and helpful way by saying hello, answering questions and consistently going out of your way to connect readers with the right beverages and café items. You are also an essential part of the café team in maintaining the attractive presentation and ensuring the efficient running of the Café.

Responsibilities

• Welcome customers cheerfully, answer questions, and connect readers with appropriate beverages and café items.
• Maintain café presentation and cleanliness.
• Unpack and stock deliveries; tidy the bake case and dining area.
• Operate registers quickly and friendly to provide professional service.
• Prepare food and drinks accurately using knowledge, colleagues, drink recipe guides, product spec sheets, and other tools.
• Execute daily and weekly cleaning tasks.
• Follow First In First Out (FIFO) practices and date products correctly.
• Support receiving, unpacking, and accurate stocking of deliveries.
• Assist the bookfloor team when needed.
• Understand and apply loss‑prevention procedures and de‑escalation techniques.
• Perform physical activities including prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking.
• Work in other stores as needed to support the wider cluster.
• Develop café knowledge of beverage, bakery, savory, and gifting products.
• Use this knowledge to maintain interesting and appetizing presentations.
• Speak about and support key sales objectives such as new LTO items or café promotions.
• Make effective food and beverage customization recommendations.
• Build knowledge and engagement for execution of café retail options.
• Use café training tools appropriately and adhere to safety, hygiene, and sanitation guidelines.
• Support the success of key products and promotions with your knowledge.

Requirements

• Reliable and punctual attendance for scheduled shifts.
• Flexibility to fill scheduling gaps and respond to store needs (open early mornings to late evenings, weekends, most holidays).
• Positive, willing approach to work; perform tasks with purpose and energy.
• Supportive and considerate of colleagues; help others and show kindness.
• Consistently cheerful with customers; go out of your way to help them.
• Aptitude and willingness to learn new skills and acquire new knowledge.
• Enjoy being a barista.
• Ability to use varied technology (registers, computers, tablets, programs) comfortably and efficiently.
• Develop strong merchandising skills to maintain café presentation and cleanliness.
• Develop effective visual merchandising skills for counter and floor retail fixtures.
• Run a register competently to serve customers quickly and reliably.
• Support receiving and unpacking of deliveries and ensure accurate stocking.
• Make food and drinks properly with ease and accuracy using available resources.
• Maintain café cleanliness through reliable execution of daily and weekly cleaning tasks.
• Follow and execute FIFO practices and date products consistently.
• Support the bookfloor team willingly and effectively when needed.
• Understand loss‑prevention procedures and de‑escalation techniques; identify theft and seek support for problematic behaviors.
• Capable of the physical demands of the role (prolonged standing, bending, lifting, walking).
• As experience grows, develop barista knowledge and skills, contribute expertise, and advance toward Senior Barista.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.

Benefits

• For those scheduled to work less than 20 hours per week: Employee Discount, EAP, and Sick Pay.
• For those scheduled to work between 20 and 29.99 hours: Employee Discount, EAP, Sick Pay, and Paid Time Off including paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Company Paid Holidays, Transit, and 401(k) with Company Match.
• For those scheduled to work 30 hours or more: Employee Discount, EAP, Sick Pay, and Paid Time Off including paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Company Paid Holidays, 401(k) with Company Match, Comprehensive Health Benefits (Medical, Dental and Vision), Healthcare and Dependent Care Spending Accounts, Healthcare Spending Account, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Transit, and Tuition Reimbursement.
• All benefits are provided in accordance with the terms of the current plan and may be subject to future change; benefits may vary depending on location/state regulations.