Barista
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Position Overview & Specifications
Job Description – Barista
What better place to sit down and have a relaxing cup of coffee (and a slice of cake!) than in one of our bookshop cafes. We are called Café W and we are keen to find the best baristas to help promote a comfortable environment, serve excellent drinks and food and deliver outstanding customer service.
Job Purpose
Being a barista isn’t about waiting for customers to come to the counter and just serve them what they asked for. It is about talking to them, engaging with them and making sure they want to return time and time again. In order to help you become a fantastic barista we have created the following competencies which we need all our cafe team to consistently deliver.
Deliver Great Customer Service
Conducting all work in a professional manner and to a high level of quality. Constantly seeking to improve processes and service to better meet customer needs. Influencing and persuading others to share information to improve our offer and customer engagement.
Ensure the shop maintains high standards
High standards, to attract footfall and engage and motivate our customers towards making a purchase. Set out displays and maintain café environment to ensure a welcoming space in which to relax and have a positive experience as well as maintaining the minimum café audit requirements.
Deliver the Commercial Offer
Understanding what drives long-term profitability and how we can all make a difference. Demonstrating commercial business sense in every decision and action. Understanding own contribution and ensuring that individual Cafe and shop goals are aligned with the overall business strategy.
Show a level of Commitment
Driving personal and career development in oneself and others. Managing performance, inspiring a passion for learning, being able to give and receive feedback. Developing the capability of individuals, yourself and the business through sharing information, best practice and knowledge.
Be flexible and show your initiative
Focusing effort on goals and objectives and showing the determination to make things happen, even under pressure. Being able to manage time, priorities, commitment and motivation. Committing to delivering results and taking actions to overcome obstacles and seek solutions. Analysing information and recognising trends to help make the most appropriate decisions.
Love our products and want to learn about the industry
Understanding the commercial aspects of the market in which Waterstones Cafes operate. Using this information to make informed decisions and guide the activity of self and others.
Be part of the team
Inspire and drive performance through coaching and leadership. Demonstrate integrity and personal credibility. Demonstrate the right behaviours, skills and knowledge to embed that within the culture of Waterstones. Manage individual Baristas to maximise their potential, adapting communication to individual needs.
Core Processes
There are a number of processes that we will expect you to be able to do in the course of your job – these are available for you to look through and of course if there are any you don’t understand then we will show you how to do them.
What are you looking for?
We will need you to be able to demonstrate the following
- Previous experience working in a café environment
- Good customer service skills
- Willingness and ability to work as part of a team
- Good communication skills
- Good command of English (speaking, reading, writing)
What’s in it for me?
If you do have a passion for coffee, food and books, then you will love this:
- 50% staff discount both in the shop and online for books you buy
- Discounts on other items we sell such as gifts, cards and anything in the cafe
- Access to the Waterstones plus card giving you early insight into the great new books before they are published
- 28 days holiday
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Salary: From £10.07 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Work Location: One location
Reference ID: Barista Edinburgh
Candidate Selection & Onboarding Process
Application & Resume Screening
Submit your tailored CV/Resume directly to the talent acquisition portal.
Technical & Competency Interviews
Virtual interviews with the hiring manager and multidisciplinary team.
Formal Offer & Benefits Negotiation
Written agreement outlining compensation, equity, retirement vesting, and relocation allowances.
Onboarding & Corporate Integration
Equipment provisioning, team orientation, and commencement of duties.
United Kingdom Right to Work & Skilled Worker Visa Guide
Employment in the United Kingdom requires legal Right to Work verified under the Home Office Points-Based Immigration System:
Sponsoring employers must hold an active Home Office A-rated Sponsor License and assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Role must meet the general minimum salary threshold (£38,700) or occupation going rate.
Continuous employment under Skilled Worker status establishes eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 continuous years, leading to British Citizenship.
Candidate Preparation Blueprint: Media & Entertainment Stores
Based on transatlantic hiring benchmarks for Barista roles across Waterstones's corporate sector, successful applicants typically excel across three core dimensions:
Demonstrated portfolio evidence, architecture/system design case studies, or validated professional certifications directly applicable to Media & Entertainment Stores.
STAR method competency responses highlighting cross-functional leadership, conflict resolution, and delivering measurable enterprise ROI under tight timelines.
Total compensation expectation aligned within the benchmarked £10 - £10 bracket, including retirement vesting and health parity.
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