Head Barista in London

A bit about us. Grind is a hospitality company that lives in London. Since opening Shoreditch Grind in 2011, the brand has expanded across London with cafes, coffee shops and coffee trucks, burning the candle at both ends to serve coffee, food, and cocktails to a killer soundtrack. Our cafés and coffee shops were where Grind all began, and they're still the beating heart of Grind. They're vibrant, exciting and sometimes high‑pressure places to work. We think coffee can be a force for good. Whether it's through creating the UK's first compostable coffee pods, our plastic‑free packaging or carbon‑free shipping – we're on a mission to be the world's most sustainable coffee company. In 2023, we created our charity, the Better Coffee Foundation, to undo the damage done by the global coffee industry – in our first year, we recovered 43 million pods' worth of ocean‑bound plastic.

A bit about the role. We are looking for an experienced Head Barista to lead a small (yet very busy) team to ensure coffee at Grind is always delivered to the highest standards. This means making sure the teams are always engaging with our customers, high quality of product that remains consistent at all times, and that the speed of service is prompt and to company standards. To be eligible for this position, you will need to have experience in recruiting and developing a team, be trained in managing stock control, and knowledge of what it takes to be an effective leader. You will have a complete understanding of the equipment and the beans, a keen eye for detail and a passion for quality coffee. We use La Marzocco Linea PB machines and Mahlkonig e65s grinders, so knowledge of dialling in, maintaining machines & close down is essential.

Role responsibilities:

• Ability to dial in Grinders for both House Blend & Light Blend to our brand standards and the desired taste of our different blends
• Train and support a team and encourage professional development
• Lead and support a team at all times
• The ability to perfectly stretch all the milks used at Grind whilst ensuring you keep wastage to a minimum
• Pour advanced latte art (rosettas, multi‑layered tulips, swans)
• Maintain a clean section at all times
• Report issues with espresso equipment to the Coffee Maintenance team
• Handle customer issues and manage expectations to deliver a customer‑focused approach
• Full understanding of all current coffees, including tasting notes, and recipes
• Manage and maintain all coffee, milk & tea stock levels and communicate any stock shortages with the Manager on site
• Ensure all stock is rotated and clearly labelled in compliance with H&S procedures
• Complete or delegate weekly stock take operations & cost sheets
• Understanding of coffee‑based P&L’s, including sales figures and coffee margins
• Being able to demonstrate that you and your team can deliver on Grind coffee standards and financial controls such as coffee margin, labour efficiency and driving sales
• Wear full and correct uniform always

You’ll have:

• Strong leadership and managerial skills
• Effective & efficient communication skills
• Exceptional barista skills
• Strong multi‑tasking skills, ability to problem‑solve with a solutions‑driven approach
• Friendly, approachable and fun work attitude

Diversity and Inclusion. Grind is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or disability status. If there are any adjustments you need to help you bring your best self to an interview with us please let us know.

Benefits and Perks:

• NEST Pension: We offer a pension scheme to help you plan for your future.
• Stream: Take control of your finances with on‑demand access to your earned wages, financial coaching, and more.
• Employee Loan: Access an interest‑free loan of up to £1,000 to help with unexpected expenses.
• Referral Bonus: Earn a bonus for bringing great talent to our team (£250 for employees, £450 for managers).
• Discounts online: Up to 40% off our retail line online.
• SpectrumLife: Access our confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support.
• Crew Card: Enjoy 50% off all food and drinks, plus two free coffees a day at Grind locations.
• Friends & Family Discount: Share the love with discounts for your friends and family on our website and at our sites.
• Meals on Duty: Enjoy one staff meal on shifts over 4 hours, and two staff meals on shifts over 10 hours.
• Social Events: Join us for team social events to connect and have fun.
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity: Enjoy enhanced maternity and paternity benefits once eligible.