Head Barista

Head Barista

Full-Time 27120 - 31200 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Alma Cafe

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the coffee service and maintain high standards in a vibrant café environment.
  • Company: Join Alma, a renowned London brunch brand known for great coffee and hospitality.
  • Benefits: Competitive pay, staff food, pension scheme, and real opportunities for career growth.
  • Other info: Immediate start with flexible hours and a supportive team atmosphere.
  • Why this job: Be part of an exciting new opening and shape the coffee experience from day one.
  • Qualifications: Strong barista experience in high-volume settings and a passion for quality coffee.

The predicted salary is between 27120 - 31200 £ per year.

Alma Café is launching its first full all‑day dining restaurant in Nine Elms, and we’re looking for a professional Head Barista to join the opening team and lead the daytime coffee offer from day one. Founded in Barnes in 2016, Alma has grown into a recognised London brunch brand, known across London for great coffee, vibrant food and warm hospitality. At Nine Elms, coffee remains a big part of the identity, with great kit in place, a setup built around Assembly Coffee, and a real focus on quality, consistency and service.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Leading coffee service with consistency and pace
  • Maintaining high standards across espresso, milk, latte art, matcha and house specials
  • Supporting dial‑ins, workflow and day‑to‑day quality control
  • Helping onboard and develop baristas on site
  • Upholding the coffee standards Alma is known for in a high‑volume environment

What we’re looking for:

  • Strong experience in quality‑led, high‑volume coffee shops in London
  • Confidence dialling in and maintaining standards under pressure
  • A barista who cares about detail, consistency and speed
  • Someone who can lead by example and raise standards around them
  • The kind of person who takes pride in getting every cup right

What we offer:

  • Competitive pay plus strong TRONC
  • Staff food and coffee provided on shift
  • Enrolment into the company pension scheme
  • Real opportunity for professional progression as Alma grows
  • The chance to shape the coffee offer in an important new opening

Requirements:

  • Experience: Required
  • Languages: English – Advanced
  • Employment: Full‑time
  • Schedule: Mon‑Sun, 7AM‑3:30PM. Min 40 hrs/wk. 2 days off. Extra hrs available.
  • Salary: £13 – £15 hourly
  • Benefits: TRONC
  • Starting time: Immediate start!

If you want to be part of launching Alma Nine Elms and lead a coffee offer built on real quality, we’d like to hear from you.

Head Barista employer: Alma Cafe

Alma Café is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises quality and consistency in coffee service. As part of the opening team at Alma Nine Elms, you will enjoy competitive pay, strong TRONC, and the opportunity for professional growth within a recognised London brunch brand. With a focus on staff development and a supportive environment, this role allows you to shape the coffee experience in a dynamic new setting.
Alma Cafe

Contact Detail:

Alma Cafe Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head Barista

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the café's vibe before your interview. Swing by Alma Café, grab a coffee, and soak in the atmosphere. This will help you understand their standards and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.

✨Tip Number 2

Practice your latte art skills! Bring some examples of your work to the interview. It’s a great way to showcase your attention to detail and passion for quality coffee, which is exactly what Alma is looking for.

✨Tip Number 3

Be ready to talk about your experience in high-pressure environments. Share specific stories where you maintained quality and consistency under stress. This will demonstrate that you can handle the fast-paced nature of a busy café like Alma.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and keen to join the Alma family right from the start.

We think you need these skills to ace Head Barista

Coffee Preparation
Espresso Techniques
Latte Art
Quality Control
High-Volume Service
Team Leadership
Training and Development
Attention to Detail
Consistency in Service
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Customer Service Skills
Pride in Craftsmanship

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Coffee: When writing your application, let your love for coffee shine through! Share your experiences and what makes you excited about leading a coffee service. We want to see that you care about every cup and can bring that passion to Alma.

Highlight Your Experience: Make sure to detail your experience in high-volume coffee shops, especially in London. We’re looking for someone who’s confident under pressure, so share specific examples of how you've maintained quality and consistency in busy environments.

Be Personable and Authentic: We value warm hospitality at Alma, so don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your application. Write as if you’re chatting with us over a cup of coffee – we want to get to know the real you!

Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets to us directly, apply through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we see your amazing skills and experiences right away. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Alma Cafe

✨Know Your Coffee Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your coffee knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss different brewing methods, espresso extraction, and latte art techniques. Showing your passion for quality coffee will impress them!

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

As a Head Barista, you'll need to lead by example. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully trained or mentored others. Share how you maintain high standards under pressure and how you can inspire your team.

✨Showcase Your Attention to Detail

Alma is all about consistency and quality, so be prepared to talk about how you ensure every cup is perfect. Discuss your approach to quality control and how you handle workflow in a busy environment.

✨Be Ready for Practical Questions

Expect some practical questions or scenarios during the interview. They might ask how you'd handle a busy shift or resolve a customer complaint. Think through your responses and demonstrate your problem-solving skills.

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