At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the bar team, ensure top-quality drinks, and maintain equipment.
- Company: Join WatchHouse, a vibrant coffee community in Clapham.
- Benefits: Free coffee, lunch, team socials, and 30% off food and retail.
- Other info: Real career progression opportunities in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team and inspire others with your coffee knowledge.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality and a love for specialty coffee.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
We’re opening the doors to our new House in Clapham in early 2026 — one of London’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, known for Clapham Common, its village-like charm, and lively high streets. This beautiful new space will bring WatchHouse’s signature Modern Coffee experience to the heart of the community.
Our Senior Baristas are the next generation of Head Baristas. As a Senior Barista, you play a critical role in ensuring the excellent quality of the drinks we serve – you’re a leader for the standard of drinks served in your House. Working alongside the Head Barista, you help to educate and excite the team, maintain the equipment and machines, provide hospitality to build our guest base, and cultivate and positively foster the WatchHouse culture.
Key Responsibilities
- Quality of all coffee & drinks which leave the bar
- Ensuring the entire team is aware of current drinks offerings and standards.
- Day to day management of the service and production.
- Support with coffee equipment maintenance.
- Training & Development of the bar team, take a proactive approach in identifying opportunities for progression and highlighting training needs.
- Support with stock control and ordering.
- Meet and communicate regularly with the House Manager providing valuable insights and ideas on: Bar Staff Scheduling, Drinks Sales & Speed of Service Opportunities, Drinks Training & Development
Key To This Role
- Live and breathe our core values of Passion, Empathy, Can Do and Diligence
- Always well-presented and wearing the WatchHouse uniform standards
- Positive, upbeat and bringing personality and soul to the role; a real people-person who is a team player, calm under pressure, and comfortable having difficult conversations in a professional manner
- Collaborative with others and supportive of the broader WatchHouse business
- Meticulous about cleanliness, loves the little details, and is super organized
- Always humble and hungry to learn more – striving for excellence
- Passionate about hospitality, specialty coffee + food and inspiring others with knowledge
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 250g 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.
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.
Senior Barista employer: WatchHouse.
At WatchHouse, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant work culture centred around teamwork and a shared passion for specialty coffee. Located in a dynamic environment, we offer our employees opportunities for personal and professional growth through comprehensive training and development programmes, ensuring that every team member can thrive and contribute to our mission of delivering outstanding hospitality.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Barista
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the WatchHouse vibe! Before your interview, pop into one of our locations and soak up the atmosphere. Chat with the team, taste our coffee, and show us you’re genuinely excited about being part of our community.
✨Tip Number 2
When you’re in the interview, don’t just talk about your skills—share your passion for coffee and hospitality! We want to hear your stories about how you’ve inspired others or tackled challenges in a busy café environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Show us your leadership style! As a Senior Barista, you’ll be guiding the team, so come prepared with examples of how you’ve trained or motivated others in the past. We love seeing that collaborative spirit!
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the WatchHouse family right from the start. Let’s brew something amazing together!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Barista
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Coffee:When writing your application, let your love for coffee shine through! Share your experiences with specialty coffee and how it fuels your passion for hospitality. We want to see that you live and breathe the coffee culture.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Senior Barista, you'll be leading the team, so make sure to showcase any previous leadership roles or training experiences. Talk about how you've inspired others and maintained high standards in your past positions. We’re looking for someone who can motivate and educate!
Be Personable and Authentic:We value personality and individuality at WatchHouse, so don’t be afraid to let your true self come through in your application. Share anecdotes that reflect your upbeat nature and ability to connect with people. We want to know the real you!
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at WatchHouse.
✨Know Your Coffee
As a Senior Barista, you need to be passionate about coffee. Brush up on your knowledge of different coffee beans, brewing methods, and the latest trends in specialty coffee. Be ready to share your insights during the interview to show your enthusiasm and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since you'll be leading the bar team, highlight any previous experience in training or managing staff. Prepare examples of how you've motivated a team or improved service standards. This will demonstrate your ability to foster a positive culture at WatchHouse.
✨Emphasise Your People Skills
Being a people-person is key for this role. Think of specific instances where you've provided excellent customer service or resolved conflicts. Share these stories to illustrate your empathy and ability to connect with both customers and colleagues.
✨Align with WatchHouse Values
Familiarise yourself with WatchHouse's core values: Passion, Empathy, Can Do, and Diligence. Prepare to discuss how these values resonate with you and how you've embodied them in your previous roles. This will show that you're not just a fit for the job, but also for the company culture.