Lead Barista/Cafe Lead

Très LA Bistro & Café

Location: Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood
Schedule: Full-time, approximately 40–45 hours per week, including café opening and closing shifts
Reports to: General Manager

About the Role

Très LA Bistro & Café is looking for an experienced, motivated Lead Barista to take ownership of the café’s daily operations. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who loves great coffee, creates welcoming guest experiences, and takes pride in keeping a café running smoothly from opening through closing.

Working closely with the General Manager, you will oversee café readiness, beverage quality, inventory, ordering, team training, and service execution while actively preparing beverages and serving guests.

We’re looking for someone who wants more than their next barista position. This role offers a clear path toward expanded café leadership and future promotion within Très LA Group for someone who demonstrates outstanding performance, initiative, and the ability to develop a strong team.

Responsibilities

Daily Café Operations

• Take ownership of daily café operations, ensuring an organized, efficient, and welcoming environment.
• Complete and coordinate opening and closing procedures, ensuring the café is ready for service and properly cleaned, restocked, and secured afterward.
• Prepare espresso machines, grinders, drip coffee, cold brew, blenders, beverage stations, and grab-and-go displays before opening.
• Confirm Toast POS, KDS, and printers are functioning and promptly communicate technical issues.
• Coordinate daily priorities and station assignments to maintain smooth service.
• Monitor café presentation, product availability, equipment performance, and service flow throughout the day.
• Communicate staffing needs, maintenance issues, guest concerns, and operational challenges to the General Manager.
• Maintain clear shift handoffs and follow through on outstanding tasks.

Beverage Preparation and Guest Service

• Prepare consistent, high-quality espresso drinks, coffee, tea, smoothies, and specialty beverages.
• Take orders, process payments accurately, and help guests select beverages and food items.
• Serve pastries, sandwiches, salads, and other café offerings.
• Maintain Très LA’s beverage and service standards through attention to quality, presentation, and hospitality.
• Address guest concerns professionally and involve management when additional support is needed.
• Stay actively involved in service, particularly during busy periods.

Team Leadership and Training

• Set the example for professionalism, hospitality, cleanliness, and teamwork.
• Provide hands-on training and coaching on beverage preparation, equipment use, POS procedures, and guest service.
• Help team members build confidence and consistency in espresso extraction, milk steaming, and café service.
• Coordinate with management to support daily coverage and team breaks.
• Identify training needs and share performance or staffing concerns with the General Manager.
• Recommend practical improvements to café procedures and the guest experience.

Inventory and Ordering

• Monitor inventory and maintain appropriate par levels for coffee, tea, dairy, milk alternatives, syrups, paper goods, and cleaning supplies.
• Complete inventory checks and submit accurate weekly orders through the established ordering process.
• Receive and organize deliveries, rotate products using FIFO, and monitor expiration dates.
• Coordinate with kitchen leadership on pastries and grab-and-go availability.
• Communicate shortages and unavailable items promptly.
• Track waste and help control costs without compromising quality.

Cleanliness and Food Safety

• Maintain clean, sanitized, and organized workstations, equipment, and guest-service areas.
• Ensure labeling, dating, temperature logs, and sanitizer checks are completed.
• Keep condiment stations, beverage supplies, and displays stocked and presentable.
• Follow food safety procedures, cleaning schedules, and equipment-care standards.
• Report safety concerns and equipment problems promptly.

Qualifications

• At least 1–2 years of barista experience in a specialty coffee or high-volume café environment.
• Previous lead barista, shift lead, or comparable café leadership experience preferred.
• Strong skills in espresso extraction, milk steaming, coffee preparation, and specialty beverages.
• Experience with opening and closing procedures, inventory, and ordering.
• Comfortable using POS systems; Toast experience is a plus.
• Ability to train others clearly, patiently, and consistently.
• Strong organization, communication, problem-solving, and follow-through.
• Ability to stay calm, prioritize tasks, and maintain quality during busy service.
• Reliable attendance and availability for early opening and closing shifts.
• Valid California Food Handler Card or ability to obtain one as required.
• A genuine interest in taking ownership of the café and growing within the company.

Growth Opportunity

Outstanding performance in this role can lead to promotion into broader café or food-and-beverage leadership within Très LA Group.

We value people who take initiative, develop their teammates, improve operations, and consistently deliver excellent guest experiences. This position is designed for someone ready to build toward greater responsibility.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

This role involves working in a fast-paced café and kitchen, with frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and repetitive hand movements. Responsibilities may include lifting or moving supplies and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, with assistance as needed, and handling hot beverages and food.

Essential duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Additional Information

Responsibilities may evolve based on café and business needs. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.

Très LA Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.