Lead Barista- Drift Santa Barbara

TMC Hospitality was founded in 2016 by Philip Bates as an offshoot of TMC Group to bring its innovation and purposeful disruption to the hospitality industry. As a forward-thinking hotel development and management company focused on elevating hospitality from a service to an experience through strategic development, investment, and brand creation, the group has two hotel brands, Bode and Drift, in addition to Buttonwood Farm & Winery that cater to the concept of social group travel and experiences. Bode, with a location in Nashville, redefines traditional travel by creating flexible spaces that expertly blend the style of vacation rental homes with the comforts and conveniences of a boutique hotel. Drift, with locations in San Jose del Cabo, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, and Nashville, is a modern hotel concept for independent and group travelers who value adventure and culture with minimalist yet intentional details and amenities.


Lead Barista - Drift Santa Barbara

Full-Time | On-Site | Non-Exempt

Drift Santa Barbara is looking for a Lead Barista to help drive our café experience and support hotel operations. This role is perfect for someone who loves great coffee, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and enjoys being a steady, uplifting presence for both guests and the team.

As the Lead Barista, you'll help maintain café standards, train new team members, support ordering and quality control, and step into a leadership role when the Café Supervisor or F&B Manager is not on site. You'll also collaborate closely with our hotel team-assisting with guest requests, staying active in work chat, and acting as Manager on Duty when needed. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to grow their hospitality career and be part of a tight-knit, service-focused team.

What You'll Do

• Create a warm, friendly, and consistent café experience for guests
• Maintain café standards and lead the team when supervisors are offsite
• Train new baristas and support ongoing development of the café team
• Check and sign for deliveries; assist with ordering and inventory
• Support morning bar deliveries and help put away Dawn/Sidebar stock
• Act as Manager on Duty for the hotel when needed
• Assist with guest check-in processes and train staff on the PMS system
• Respond to guest requests professionally and handle issues with ownership
• Stay active in work chat and support hotel operations throughout the day
• Uphold Drift's brand standards and commitment to exceptional service

What We're Looking For

• Strong barista experience in a café or restaurant setting
• Leadership qualities and experience training or supporting a team
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Organized, detail-oriented, and calm under pressure
• Comfortable with basic tech tools (Microsoft Office, PMS, etc.)
• Someone who genuinely enjoys hospitality and creating memorable guest moments

Why You'll Love Working With Us

• Be part of a collaborative, modern hospitality team
• Opportunity to grow into broader hotel operations leadership
• Work in a beautiful, guest-centric environment steps from the best of Santa Barbara
• A culture that values curiosity, creativity, and shared success