What Are Barista Responsibilities?

When you walk into your favorite cafe, you'll usually see a barista making coffee. Of course, baristas do make coffee and serve snacks, but what are their responsibilities? 

Every barista position is different. This is because every coffee business is different. Every shift is distinct, every company is different, and every coffee customer is different.

Additionally, every person has a different barista experience, which may alter their initial barista job responsibilities.

And yet, some typical barista responsibilities run true wherever you work.

As a barista, you don't just make coffee. You create a coffee experience for your customer. Hopefully a great experience!

Your customer service skills are among the essential skills that are needed to be a great barista. Of course, you will need to make coffee – delicious coffee! However, your ability to connect with your customer and make them feel welcome will be necessary.

The quality of your customer service primarily derives from your attitude. However, it also depends on the motivation to be successful. The good news is that these skills can translate to any industry, job, or career you go into. Often, you can learn and improve your customer service skills. As a result, it becomes possible only after you reach “general awareness” about the importance of your role in the coffee experience.

Interestingly, developing “awareness” is seemingly the hardest part. So, developing mentors, maintaining professional development through courses can be important as well.

 

What are some of the responsibilities of a barista?

Your barista job will usually entail several key factors:

• First, successfully use and maintain an espresso machine and other brewing equipment (manual brewing devices) for each customer.
• Preparing a variety of coffee drinks, beverages, and snacks for each customer.
• Have wise judgment and willingness to make decisions.
• Demonstrate the ability to maintain a positive work environment. This can be through your attitude, leadership, and motivation.
• Keep your espresso machine well-maintained and clean.
• Keep your barista workstation shining and sparkling.
• Learn coffee drink recipes.
• Make sure you follow the established policies and operating procedures.
• Possible mentoring, coaching, or training other employees.
• You are to successfully ensure each transaction is correct and monitor sales, labor, and unnecessary waste.
• Perform all “opening” or “closing” barista duties.
• You will maintain a particular dress code that is established by the business.
• Complete other tasks and projects that a supervisor has assigned.
• Attend mandatory meetings.
• Positively and effectively engage with each customer, co-worker, supervisor, manager, and coffee shop owner.

Your Online Barista Training

Addressing the criteria mentioned above is often a good start. However, your primary focus should be on learning how to build espresso drinks and improve your customer service. Very often, coffee shops want their customers to be served in a particular manner. Therefore, your manager will provide you with guidelines on how to do so. 

Remember, you lead with your attitude. After all, baristas should train to make coffee to maintain a safe and successful work environment. But an attitude is something that comes from within.

Brought to you by Barista Training Academy, “The Beginning Barista,” Your Ultimate Prep Guide to Getting Your First Job as a Barista” is an ultimate resource available online and affordable for anybody looking to start a career in the coffee industry. For more information, visit our blog.