Barista job description
The Barista prepares espresso and other drinks at a cafe or coffee counter. They keep the machine and grinder tuned, serve customers warmly and keep the bar clean and ready through the day.
Why the role exists
A Barista works the bar of a specialty cafe, a hotel lounge or a coffee chain outlet. They report to the cafe manager and serve customers across morning rush, afternoon lull and weekend crowds, while keeping drinks consistent and the counter spotless.
What the person does
- Open the bar by purging the espresso machine, checking the grinder and dialling in shots before the first customer.
- Prepare espresso, cappuccino, cold brew, filter coffee and teas to the cafe's recipes and presentation standard.
- Steam and pour milk and plant-based alternatives at the right texture and temperature.
- Take orders at the counter, use the POS and call out orders to the kitchen or pastry counter.
- Keep the bar, milk fridge, syrups and display clean, and rotate milk and pastries by date.
- Count beans, milk, cups and syrups, and tell the manager what to reorder before stock runs out.
- Clean the machine group heads, steam wands and grinder at the set times through the day.
- Greet regulars by name where possible, explain the menu and handle complaints calmly before passing larger issues to the manager.
Skills and tools
- Espresso extraction, grind adjustment and dialling in by taste
- Milk steaming and basic latte art
- Knowledge of brew methods such as pour over, cold brew and Aeropress
- Using POS billing, UPI payments and delivery app tablets
- Cleaning routines for espresso machines and milk equipment
- Speed and accuracy during the morning rush
- Friendly, clear conversation with customers in English, Hindi or the local language
- Awareness of allergens and dairy alternatives
Education and experience
Preferred, never a bar: equivalent experience counts.
- Barista training course or café experience preferred, or equivalent hands-on experience.
- Previous work at a coffee shop, bakery cafe or hotel lounge is preferred.
- Food handling training as the employer requires; confirm what applies with your own adviser.
- Readiness to work early openings, weekends and holiday peaks.
How the work is judged
- Drink consistency judged by taste checks and customer feedback
- Speed of service during rush hours without loss of quality
- Cleanliness of the bar, equipment and milk storage at each inspection
- Accuracy of stock counts and low wastage of milk and beans
- Customer reviews and repeat visits linked to the counter
Where the role can lead
- Senior barista or bar lead in a specialty cafe.
- Cafe supervisor or cafe manager running opening and closing.
- Coffee trainer or roaster's customer support role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions in the same order and score them against written anchors, so the decision rests on the work and not the impression.
- How do you know when to change the grind on the espresso machine, and what do you taste or see?
- Three customers are waiting and a delivery rider has arrived. How do you handle the queue?
- A customer says their latte is too weak. What do you do?
- How do you clean and check the steam wand and milk jugs during a busy day?
- Tell us about a time you made a mistake on an order. How did you fix it?
- How would you explain the difference between a flat white and a cappuccino to a new customer?
Hiring tips for this role
- Run a bar trial: ask the candidate to pull espresso, steam milk and make two milk drinks. Observe cleanliness and speed as well as taste.
- Do not judge only on latte art. A steady customer manner and willingness to clean matter more across a long shift.
- Be clear about timings. Early openings and late closings cause quick exits when not discussed in advance.
- Check how the candidate handles cash, UPI and billing mistakes, since counters often mix service and payment tasks.
Questions about hiring a barista
A Barista prepares coffee and other drinks, serves customers and keeps the bar clean. In many cafes they also take orders, handle billing and help with stock and opening and closing routines.
Not always. Many good baristas learn on the job. A course or earlier cafe work is useful, but a hands-on bar trial and a good manner with customers tell you more.
Ask how they clean the steam wand, store milk and wipe down the bar. Any certificate or licence needed depends on your outlet, state and facts, so confirm it with your own adviser.
Yes. GullyHR supports permanent hiring. We agree the job description with you, find and screen candidates for cafe and coffee experience and support you through the offer. The bar trial stays with your team.
Hiring a barista?
GullyHR runs talent acquisition for permanent roles. We agree the job description with you, find and screen candidates against it, and support the offer through to joining. We recruit permanent employees. We do not supply contract or temporary staff.