Barista Lead

Full-Time available. The target base compensation for an external hire for this position is $15.00/hr + tips.

Position Overview:

At Hiker Coffee, we believe clean coffee leads to a better day and better days lead to better lives. Founded from our own health journey, we’ve built Hiker as a destination for wellness-minded adventurers, serving craft coffee and toxin-aware food in a space that promotes connection, community, and care.

As a Barista Lead, you’ll help set the tone for the café, creating an atmosphere that’s warm, focused, and uplifting. You’ll be trusted to guide baristas, support operations, and act as the point of contact when management isn’t on site. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who loves coffee, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and wants to grow long-term with a coffee company on the rise.

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Key Responsibilities:

Shift Leadership

• Lead baristas through daily operations, maintaining efficiency and exceptional hospitality.
• Open and close the café confidently, ensuring cleanliness, consistency, and accuracy across all systems.
• Act as the on-shift decision-maker, handling questions, supply needs, and workflow challenges with calm professionalism.
• Communicate effectively with management, providing updates on team performance, maintenance needs, and guest feedback.

Training & Development

• Assist with onboarding and training new baristas, teaching proper technique, service flow, and product knowledge.
• Reinforce recipe accuracy and beverage consistency through daily quality checks.
• Encourage and coach team members toward personal growth and stronger performance.

Craft Coffee Excellence

• Build excitement around Hiker Coffee by delivering consistently exceptional coffee, organic and better-for-you food options, educating guests, and promoting the benefits of clean coffee.
• Maintain the highest quality standards for all beverages, ensuring every cup meets Hiker’s reputation for excellence.
• Coffee bar operations, including daily brewing, espresso machine use, and product preparation, while upholding cleanliness and safety standards.
• Prepare and serve food items with consistency and care, including bulk prep shifts and helping train other baristas on food preparation standards.

Customer Experience

• Model genuine hospitality and care in every guest interaction.
• Address customer concerns or complaints with empathy and efficiency, ensuring each guest leaves feeling valued.
• Uphold a welcoming environment that reflects Hiker’s focus on wellness, quality, and community.
• Ensure every guest enjoys an extraordinary experience through personalized service, high-quality products, and a welcoming atmosphere.
• Build lasting customer relationships that promote loyalty and strengthen Hiker’s community presence.
• Uphold Hiker’s highest standards for food safety, cleanliness, and overall ambiance.

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Ideal Candidate

You’re not just looking for a café job, you’re building a career in coffee. You take pride in doing things the right way, bring steady energy to the team, and care deeply about creating memorable guest experiences. You’re reliable, professional, and genuinely excited to help Hiker grow. As we grow, so will you in your career!

Qualifications Preferred: (accepting all applicants)

• Cafe Expertise: 2 years of café or coffee bar experience required; prior leadership or shift lead experience strongly preferred. Ability to consistently make high-quality menu items (hot food items, smoothies, other drinks), Espresso techniques, and maintain equipment cleanliness to Hiker’s specifications.
• Operational Skills: Understanding of cash handling, and ability to uphold health and safety requirements, and maintain a clean working environment.
• Customer-Centric Mindset: A commitment to delivering exceptional service and building lasting guest relationships.
• Marketing Awareness: Working to run promotions and engage with the local community to drive sales.
• Tech Proficiency: Familiarity with register/POS systems and tools like Google Suite.
• Food Service Experience: Previous café, coffee bar, restaurant, or other customer experience preferred
• Passion for Wellness: Enthusiasm for coffee, tea, and health-conscious food or an excitement to learn.
• Growth: Desire to grow within the company into management, training, or coffee industry leadership roles.
• The Art: Solid espresso and beverage-making skills, with a desire to keep learning and refining craft. All while teaching others to hone in on their skills.

Bonus Qualifications

• Prior experience training others in a café setting.
• Latte art comes naturally (not required)
• Familiarity with Google Suite and POS systems.
• Interest in roasting, coffee education, or product development.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time. You’re on your feet the majority of the shift
• Perform motion with the hands, wrists, and forearms to operate machinery
• Ability to lift up to 5lbs frequently and up to 50lbs occasionally

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What We Offer:

• An opportunity to learn craft coffee excellence that reflects Hiker’s mission of wellness, connection, and quality.
• A collaborative, supportive work environment where you can build skills that are valued.
• Opportunities for professional growth and continuing education in the coffee industry
• Growth within Hiker, opportunities for promotion within the company. Cafe, Roasting & Production, Sales & Marketing, and more.
• Leadership experience in a growing, values-driven company.
• Supportive, team-oriented environment rooted in care, craft, and connection.
• Opportunities for advancement into management, roasting/production, or brand training roles.
• Employee discounts, flexible scheduling, and paid training.
• Paid time off for qualified team members.
• Optional extra hours in roasting or production.

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Job Types: Full-time (32 - 40 hrs)
Pay: $15.00 per hour + tips

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid training
• Paid time off

Shift Availability:

• Day Shift, Evening Shift (Flexibility Preferred)
• Weekend Availability (Preferred)

Work Location: In person — Chippewa Falls, WI 54729

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $15.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Paid training

Application Question(s):

• How many hours are you looking for? (min - max) range
• What does you shift availability look like? (times and days of the week)
• What makes you a great fit to lead our Baristas?

Experience:

• Barista Work: 2 years (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Chippewa Falls, WI 54729: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person