Head Barista – Specialty Coffee
Kai & Co Coffee | Connaught Village, London
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £13.00–£16.00 per hour (depending on experience)
Benefits
About Kai & Co
Kai & Co is an independent specialty coffee shop opening in the heart of Connaught Village, just moments from Marble Arch.
Created by experienced entrepreneurs with a successful track record of building hospitality and wellness businesses across the UK and Europe, Kai & Co has been thoughtfully designed to become a neighbourhood favourite—bringing together exceptional coffee, warm hospitality and beautifully considered interiors.
We're proud to be serving Origin Coffee, one of the UK's leading specialty coffee roasters, and we're committed to delivering coffee and hospitality to the highest standard.
We believe exceptional coffee is only part of what makes a great neighbourhood café. Genuine hospitality, consistency and attention to detail are equally important, and we're looking for a Head Barista who shares those values.
If you're passionate about specialty coffee, take pride in your work and enjoy creating memorable customer experiences, we'd love to hear from you.
The Role
As our Head Barista, you'll lead the daily operation of the coffee bar and help ensure every customer enjoys an exceptional experience from the moment they walk through our doors.
This is a hands-on leadership role within a boutique café environment, ideal for someone who enjoys working to high standards, leading by example and taking ownership of their shift.
You'll work closely with the management team to maintain the quality, consistency and welcoming atmosphere that define the Kai & Co experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare exceptional espresso-based drinks and specialty coffee to consistently high standards.
- Dial in espresso and maintain coffee quality throughout the day.
- Produce excellent milk texturing and latte art.
- Lead shifts and confidently run the café independently.
- Deliver warm, professional and memorable customer service.
- Prepare and beautifully present pre-baked pastries.
- Prepare simple breakfast and light lunch items.
- Operate the till and process customer transactions accurately.
- Open and close the café following company procedures.
- Receive supplier deliveries and accurately check stock.
- Manage stock levels, stock rotation and inventory.
- Complete operational paperwork assigned by the management team.
- Maintain exceptional cleanliness and presentation throughout the café.
- Ensure all food hygiene and health & safety procedures are followed.
- Maintain coffee equipment and report any maintenance requirements.
- Support and guide junior team members.
- Work collaboratively with the management team to maintain the highest operational standards.
About You
We're looking for someone who naturally sets high standards and takes genuine pride in delivering outstanding hospitality.
Essential
- Minimum 2–3 years' barista experience, ideally within a specialty coffee environment.
- Previous experience leading shifts or supervising a café team.
- Excellent espresso extraction, milk texturing and latte art skills.
- Strong knowledge of specialty coffee and quality control.
- Strong food hygiene knowledge (Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate preferred).
- Experience managing stock and supplier deliveries.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills.
- Confidence working independently.
Personal Qualities
You'll be:
- Passionate about specialty coffee and hospitality.
- Exceptionally punctual and reliable.
- Friendly, patient and customer-focused.
- Calm and professional under pressure.
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
- A positive and supportive team player.
- A quietly confident self-starter who leads by example.
- Committed to maintaining the highest standards every day.
Desirable
- Bartending experience.
- SCA Coffee qualification.
- Experience with batch brew, filter coffee and alternative brewing methods.
What We Offer
- £13.00–£16.00 per hour, depending on experience.
- Employee discount.
- Paid holiday.
- Ongoing training and professional development.
- Speciality coffee training with Origin Coffee
- A supportive, respectful and quality-focused working environment.
- Long-term opportunities to grow within an ambitious independent business.
Working Hours
- Full-time.
- Typical shifts scheduled between 7:00am and 4:00pm.
- Weekend availability may be required.
Why Join Kai & Co?
At Kai & Co, we're passionate about creating a café that people genuinely enjoy visiting—where exceptional coffee, thoughtful service and a welcoming atmosphere come together every day.
We're equally committed to creating a positive working environment for our team, built on respect, professionalism and high standards. If you're looking for a role where your skills are valued, your work-life balance is respected and quality is never compromised, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today with your CV and a short introduction telling us why you'd like to join the Kai & Co Coffee team.
Pay: £13.00-£16.00 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
