Barista Lead

Barista Lead

The Barista Lead is responsible for supporting the daily operations of the Bonton Farms Coffee House and café beverage program while serving as a working leader for front-of-house barista staff. This role combines hands-on beverage preparation, guest engagement, team leadership, operational oversight, and mission-centered hospitality. The ideal candidate is passionate about coffee, customer service, and community impact. The Barista Lead helps maintain operational excellence, supports training and accountability of team members, ensures consistency in beverage quality and presentation, and contributes to a welcoming environment that reflects the mission and values of Bonton Farms. This role is expected to lead by example, maintain professionalism during high-volume operations, and help create a positive and healing guest experience.

Compensation: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve high-quality espresso beverages, coffee, teas, specialty drinks, and café offerings in accordance with Bonton Farms standards
• Maintain consistency in beverage recipes, quality, presentation, and speed of service
• Monitor inventory levels for coffee house products, syrups, milk, supplies, and retail items
• Support ordering, stocking, rotation, and organization of beverage-related inventory
• Ensure all beverage stations, equipment, and service areas remain clean, sanitized, and operational
• Assist with opening and closing procedures, cash handling, and reconciliation processes
• Support implementation of seasonal beverage menus and specialty drink promotions
• Monitor waste, over-portioning, and operational inefficiencies

Leadership & Team Support

• Serve as a shift leader and point of contact during coffee house operations when management is unavailable
• Assist with training new baristas and front-of-house team members on beverage standards, POS systems, customer service expectations, and operational procedures
• Help reinforce attendance, professionalism, appearance, and workplace expectations among team members
• Support coaching and accountability conversations with guidance from leadership
• Model professionalism, urgency, teamwork, and hospitality standards at all times
• Assist in coordinating workflow during high-volume periods, events, and peak service times
• Support labor efficiency and help ensure proper staffing coverage during shifts

Guest Experience & Hospitality

• Deliver exceptional guest service aligned with the Bonton Farms mission and hospitality culture
• Create a welcoming and engaging environment for guests, residents, donors, volunteers, and community members
• Resolve guest concerns professionally and escalate issues appropriately when necessary
• Build positive relationships with regular guests and help strengthen community engagement within the coffee house
• Maintain a calm and solutions-oriented demeanor during busy operational periods

Operational Compliance & Standards

• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and health department standards
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of all front-of-house and beverage preparation areas
• Support daily operational checklists, temperature logs, and cleaning schedules
• Assist leadership with maintaining operational consistency across shifts
• Follow all Bonton Farms policies, procedures, cash handling protocols, and safety expectations

Qualifications

• Previous barista or coffee shop experience required
• Prior leadership, shift lead, or supervisory experience preferred
• Strong knowledge of espresso equipment, beverage preparation, and café operations
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to multitask and perform efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Comfortable coaching and supporting team members in real-time operations
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and events
• Food Handler Certification required or ability to obtain upon hire

Preferred Experience

• 2+ years of barista experience in a specialty coffee setting.
• Experience in team development and employee growth.
• Experience working in a retail or farmers market environment.
• Experience in hospitality, café, restaurant, or specialty coffee environments
• Experience with POS systems and cash reconciliation
• Passion for community-centered work and mission-driven organizations
• Experience working within high-volume guest service environments

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and work on feet for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Tolerance for working in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen setting.
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

Our Mission

Transform lives by disrupting systems of inequity, laying a foundation where change yields health, wholeness and opportunity as the norm.

Vision

The change in Bonton becomes the change in the World.

Core Principal

Our values are bathed in our Christian faith, born out of a passion for people and guide how we put them into action.

What is Bonton?

For the last 200 years, racial injustice and systemic oppression prevented opportunities in Bonton, a community in South Dallas, that were a given elsewhere. People here experienced higher rates of diabetes, stroke and cancer, and 48% of residents lived in poverty. Residents have been denied access to the seven human essentials that are necessary to survive and thrive - health & wellness, economic stability, safe and affordable housing, transportation, a sense of belonging, education and access to fair credit. Today, the community is transforming, and healing is coming from within.

Who We Are

Bonton Farms is on a mission is to transform lives by disrupting systems of inequity, laying a foundation where health, wholeness, and opportunity are the norm for all people. While many nonprofits work to solve one issue, Bonton Farms focuses on place-based interventions to build community capacity for long-term change. As the ecosystem of community resources improves, the neighbors in Bonton use these resources to build successful, self-sufficient lives, ultimately interrupting the impact of decades of disenfranchisement. Bonton Farms' programs focus on the all of the seven human essentials that the community has been denied for so long. We invite you to come and join us in the transformation!