Cafe Team Expert

Location: CA - Emeryville - Bay Street - Emeryville - 2072 | Classification: Full-Time

About the role

A Barnes & Noble bookstore is a gathering place for readers and the community. As Café Team Expert (CTE), you are an integral leader for the café team. You work through the team to develop their knowledge to create a welcoming environment for our customers. You are skilled at identifying and connecting data to impact sales, trends, waste, inventory, and other components to ensure a profitable Café. In this role, you present viable business strategies and collaborate with the Store Manager (SM) to implement and adapt café action plans to deliver expected results.

Behaviors

• Maintain reliable and punctual attendance for scheduled shifts, setting the standard for the team and ensuring consistent leadership presence on the floor.
• Fill scheduling gaps when able, demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of the store (open early mornings to late evenings daily, including weekends and most holidays).
• Approach work with positivity and proactivity, leading by example with purpose and energy while inspiring others.
• Support the entire store team with kindness, fairness, encouragement, and respect.
• Be cheerful and helpful with customers, consistently going out of your way to assist them and modeling this behavior for the team.
• Take initiative in your own development, embrace learning, and use feedback to improve skills.
• Practice active listening and clear communication to support company initiatives and goals.
• Prioritize resources and barista support to keep shifts on track.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm and enjoyment in being a barista.

Responsibilities

• Master operational competencies of a Barnes & Noble Barista, including:
  • Drink-making, maintaining food and beverage presentation standards, and adjusting displays.
  • Coaching others on effective order-taking and speed of service.
  • Using visual merchandising skills to maintain counter and floor retail fixtures.
  • Running an efficient register while taking orders.
• Support the bookfloor team with bookselling skills when available.
• Coach the team on loss prevention procedures and maintain a safe, secure bookstore by spotting theft and de-escalating challenging situations.
• Manage inventory through effective food and beverage orders.
• Complete and submit accurate monthly inventory and waste logs on time.
• Use expert knowledge to make food and beverage recommendations to customers and act as a role model for the team.
• Review category sales, inventory quantities, and product waste reports to maximize sales and profitability.
• Meet regularly with the Store Manager to review café sales performance, profitability, training, and opportunities.
• Maintain café safety, hygiene, sanitation guidelines, and procedures.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.

Physical Requirements

This role requires physical activity, including prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking. You may also work in other stores if needed to support the wider cluster.

Benefits

• Less than 20 hours per week: Employee Discount, EAP, and Sick Pay.
• 20–29.99 hours per week: Employee Discount, EAP, Sick Pay, Paid Time Off (including paid Maternity and Parental Leave), Company Paid Holidays, Transit, and 401(k) with Company Match.
• 30+ hours per week: Employee Discount, EAP, Sick Pay, 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.

Pay

An employee in this position can expect an hourly rate starting at $26.75.