Shift Lead

Position : Shift Lead Classification : Non-Exempt Reports To : General Manager Compensation : $19.00/Hour About Equator In 1995, Equator Coffees began as a values-driven coffee roaster, committed to sustainable and fair trade coffee practices. With twelve retail cafes across California and a reputation for industry-leading sourcing and roasting, Equator is women-owned, LGBTQ-founded, and the first California coffee roaster to achieve B Corp Certification. Position Summary The Shift Lead assists the store manager in leading the baristas to deliver an exceptional customer experience. Responsibilities include coaching staff, managing inventory, maintaining store cleanliness, and representing Equator’s values. Act with integrity, promote a safe and healthy work environment, and be passionate about coffee. Key Responsibilities Share passion for coffee and specialty coffee knowledge with customers and employees Lead the team in preparing and serving high‑quality handcrafted beverages Provide regular coaching and feedback on drink quality Lead the team in sharing product knowledge Plan and execute staff deployment Remain calm, professional, patient, and kind in all situations Assist with store cleaning, stocking, and organization Ensure compliance with food safety and store policies Communicate with the Store Manager about employee engagement, performance, and customer feedback Perform inventory control tasks with the Store Manager Model teamwork and make customer‑first decisions in the manager’s absence Contribute to store sales and profit goals Handle opening and closing of the cafe Promote the culture and mission of Equator Coffees with integrity and honesty Qualifications & Requirements Kind, welcoming, and patient even while multitasking Preferred: Coffee experience; Required: Retail or customer service experience Demonstrated passion for coffee and tea Customer‑first mindset Ability to give constructive feedback Curiosity to learn and apply new knowledge Team player and effective communicator Cash handling skills Ability to lift or move up to 25 pounds on occasion Acceptance of occasional overtime beyond 40 hours per week High School Diploma or GED Availability for full‑time or part‑time hours (including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays) Valid state‑issued Food Handler Card Minimum age 16 years Compensation & Benefits Base pay: $19.00/Hour Benefits start after 60 days for full‑time employees (30+ hrs/week): 100% employer‑covered medical premium, voluntary dental/vision/long‑term disability/pet/life insurance, life insurance premium, Flexible Spending Account, and 401(k) with 4% match after 6 months Benefits after 90 days: 8 company‑observed holidays, paid time off with tenured increases for full‑time employees, 1 paid volunteer day per year, and paid voting time on Election Day Available to all employees: Commuter benefits (pre‑tax parking and transit), Employee Assistance Program, free mental health app subscription, employee discount on merchandise and coffee, continuing coffee education classes, free coffee Equal‑Opportunity Employer Equator Coffees is an equal‑opportunity employer. All aspects of employment—including hiring, promotion, and discharge—are based on competence, performance, and business needs. The company does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. #J-18808-Ljbffr