Senior Barista - PT

Location: Bowie, MD (2093)

Classification: Part-Time

About the Role

A Barnes & Noble bookstore is a gathering place for readers and the community. As a Senior Barista, you are an integral member of the team at the heart of our Cafés. In this role, you have mastered the key barista behaviors and skills, genuinely welcoming our customers to discover and taste our curated offerings. You create a hospitable place for customers to relax and enjoy our bookstores and foster a sense of community while helping new Baristas learn to provide a knowledgeable and great experience.

Behaviors

• Always cheerful with customers, consistently going out of your way to help them.
• Supportive and considerate of colleagues, helping others on the team and showing kindness.
• Positive and willing in your approach to work, performing tasks with purpose and energy.
• Show aptitude and willingness to learn new skills and acquire new knowledge.
• Maintain reliable and punctual attendance for scheduled shifts.
• Fill scheduling gaps when able, being flexible and responsive to store needs (open early mornings to late evenings daily, including weekends and most holidays).
• Curious and ambitious, demonstrating initiative to develop a café or bookselling career.
• Act as a resource for baristas, addressing concerns and raising issues to leadership.
• Enjoy being a barista.

Responsibilities

• Master operational competencies, including using varied technology (registers, computers, tablets, programs) comfortably and troubleshooting routine issues.
• Maintain counter and floor retail fixtures through effective merchandising, keeping the Café neat and tidy.
• Utilize strong merchandising skills to maintain a full and vibrant bake case.
• Run an efficient register, take orders competently, and serve customers quickly while assisting other baristas.
• Support receiving and unpacking deliveries, following First In First Out (FIFO) practices.
• Make suggestions on food and beverage products and pairings to enhance customer experience.
• Master drink making and food preparation using approved recipes and spec sheets.
• Keep the Café clean through daily and weekly cleaning tasks.
• Support the bookfloor team when needed.
• Understand loss prevention procedures, use de-escalation techniques, and identify theft or problematic behavior.

Skills

• Use café knowledge of beverages, bakery, and savory items to create an enjoyable dining experience.
• Maintain visual presentation of café retail offerings (Harney Tea, Starbucks Coffee, Grab-n-Go, Drinkware).
• Present bake case and products attractively.
• Educate baristas on proper beverage preparation to satisfy customers.
• Understand and use café training tools appropriately.
• Speak confidently about key sales objectives and company initiatives (new LTO, promotions, Membership).
• Make effective food and beverage customizations/recommendations.
• Maintain backstock effectively and support proper ordering.
• Follow café safety, hygiene, sanitation guidelines, and procedures.

As you develop and demonstrate mastery of these skills, you are expected to advance in the career path with new challenges and growth opportunities.

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.

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, 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

Starting hourly rate of $20.00, depending on experience, seniority, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law.