Head Barista

Head Barista, WatchHouse.

In short:
As a Head Barista at WatchHouse, you hold the responsibility of ensuring the exceptional quality of every drink served in your House. You are a leader, a mentor , and a brand ambassador of Modern Coffee. You are accountable for your barista team\’s performance and the overall guest experience . Through coaching, team development, and equipment maintenance, you set the tone for excellence, hospitality, and WatchHouse’s signature Modern Coffee culture.

Directly report into : House Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

• Cultivate an atmosphere of unparalleled hospitality, ensuring regulars feel at home and new guests feel welcomed.

• Provide coaching and professional development for your barista team.

• Lead inspiring and engaging coffee-related meetings or training sessions as needed.

• Represent your team at Head Barista meetings with the Senior Coffee Team.

• Proactively meet with the Coffee team to exchange insights and ideas for improvement.

• Ensure every coffee and drink meets WatchHouse’s exceptional quality standards, even in high-pressure environments.

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of all drinks offerings, recipes, and techniques, sharing this expertise with your team.

• Conduct daily tastings with your team, fostering a culture of curiosity and passion for flavor, quality, and innovation.

• Manage the daily operations of the bar, ensuring standards are upheld and production is efficient.

• Lead by example during opening and closing shifts, demonstrating professionalism and setting the benchmark for performance.

• Oversee stock control, ordering, and wastage management, tackling inefficiencies and maintaining excellent supplier relationships.

• Maintain visual merchandising and retail displays, ensuring high standards of presentation and accessibility.

• Troubleshoot equipment issues, perform basic repairs, and replace filters or parts as needed.

• Communicate with repair specialists and escalate maintenance concerns appropriately.

• Demonstrate passion and expertise in creating vibrant connections with guests, turning visits into memorable experiences.

Key to this Role:

• Live and breathe our core values of Passion, Empathy, Can Do and Diligence.

• Approachable, positive, and brings energy and personality to every interaction, whether with guests or your team.

• Remain calm under pressure and handle difficult conversations professionally.

• A true coffee enthusiast with a hunger to learn and inspire others about specialty coffee, food, and hospitality.

• From cleanliness to drink quality, you are meticulous and organized, setting high standards for your team to follow.

• You are solution-oriented, proactive in tackling challenges, and adaptable to the needs of your House and team.

• You are patient and supportive, skilled at coaching and empowering others to grow and succeed.

What can you expect at WatchHouse:

• Free Coffee & Drinks – Always – Sip on your favourite drinks, even on your days off.

• Monthly Coffee Gift – Take home 250 g of premium WatchHouse coffee every month.

• Free Lunch Every Shift – Fuel up with great food on the house.

• Team Social Budget – Celebrate, connect, and unwind with your team outside of work.

• Annual WatchHouse Party – Our legendary celebration featuring Core Value Awards, and prizes like trips to coffee farms!

• 30% Off All Food – Any House, any time, just for being part of the team.

• 30% Off Retail Coffee – Stock up on your favourite WatchHouse blends whenever you like.

• Work in Beautifully Designed Houses – Join inspiring spaces equipped with industry-leading tools, surrounded by passionate hospitality professionals.

• Supportive Managers – We listen, we care, and we adapt to support your needs.

• Best-in-Class Training – From your first shift, we set you up for success with on- and off-shift development.

• Access to SCA Training – Advance your coffee expertise with recognised industry training (role dependent).

• Off-Shift Induction Experience – Get to know WatchHouse culture with a full day induction in your first two weeks.

• Career Progression That’s Real – With new Houses and growth across the business, your next step is never far away.

Working at WatchHouse.

At WatchHouse, we were born from a passion to do better—driven by diligence, attention to detail, and a genuine care for our craft and our people. We are a people-first business that values individuality, personality, and the unique contributions of every team member. We champion diversity, insist on equality, and foster inclusion as a non-negotiable part of our culture. Our team thrives in a respectful, collaborative environment where feedback is welcomed, support is mutual, and excellence is pursued together. Guided by our core values— passion, can do , diligence, and empathy —we build meaningful relationships, celebrate contributions, and work with purpose to deliver the Modern Coffee experience.

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