Head Barista

About the job

Velvet Desert Café is looking for a Head Barista to lead its coffee program and set the standard for beverage quality and bar performance. You will be the coffee expert of the café—responsible for taste, consistency, training the bar team, and elevating the overall guest experience in line with a premium, design-led brand.

THE ROLE

You will own everything related to coffee: recipes, calibration, visual standards, bar workflow, and barista training. Working closely with the Café Operations Manager, you will ensure every cup meets specialty standards and the coffee bar runs smoothly, efficiently, and consistently every day.

YOUR CHALLENGE

• Coffee Preparation & Quality Control
• Prepare high-quality espresso-based and brewed beverages to specialty standards.
• Calibrate espresso machines and grinders daily for consistent flavor.
• Create and refine signature drinks and seasonal menu items.
• Ensure every beverage meets Velvet Desert’s visual and taste standards.
• Leadership & Training
• Train, mentor, and supervise baristas on techniques, workflow, and customer service.
• Provide ongoing coaching and performance feedback on the bar.
• Support the Café Operations Manager in setting and maintaining service standards.
• Equipment & Inventory Management
• Manage maintenance schedules for coffee machines, grinders, and brewing tools.
• Conduct regular quality checks on beans, milk, syrups, and other consumables.
• Track coffee inventory and report restocking needs in a timely manner.
• Customer Engagement & Experience
• Interact with guests professionally and warmly at the bar.
• Recommend coffee types, brewing methods, and flavor options.
• Support special events, coffee tastings, and product launches as the face of the coffee program.

YOU WILL ROCK AT THIS ROLE IF YOU...

✔Have 2–3+ years of specialty coffee experience.
✔Bring strong technical knowledge: espresso extraction, milk steaming, manual brewing (V60, Chemex, AeroPress), batch brew, and calibration.
✔ Have prior experience as Senior Barista or Head Barista.
✔Have proven leadership and training experience on bar.
✔ Are passionate about specialty coffee, trends, and customer experience.
✔ Stay updated on new coffee techniques, equipment, and brewing styles.

Benefits

✨ Lead the full coffee program of a new premium café concept
✨ Opportunity to shape signature drinks and menu direction
✨ Work closely with management in a high-standard, design-focused brand
✨ Room to grow into broader operational or training roles as the concept expands

Ready for the challenge?

Send your CV to hr@velvetdesert.com with the subject line:
“Application – Head Barista”

Job Type: Full-time