How to record a barista video job description

Step 1: Describe Your Café Environment

Start your video by painting a clear picture of your café's identity and culture. Your barista needs to understand the business they're working in and the environment they're part of every day.

This section sets the foundation for everything that follows. When your barista understands your café's concept, values, and way of operating, they can make better decisions and represent your business authentically.

Your goal is to help your barista understand:

• Your café's concept and what makes it unique
• The culture and values that drive how you operate
• The operational environment and what a typical shift looks like
• How their role fits into the bigger picture of the business

Use this 3-part approach:

1. Explain Your Café Concept and Identity

Be specific about what your café is: "We're an independent speciality coffee shop / a fast-paced coffee kiosk / a hotel coffee bar / a brunch spot with a focus on craft coffee..."

Share the details that bring your café to life:

• What type of venue are you and what's your focus?
• What do you want to be known for in your area?
• Are you independent or part of a larger group?
• What makes you different from other cafés nearby?

2. Share Your Culture and Values

Explain what it's like to work at your café and the values that guide how you operate:

• "We believe in speciality coffee excellence and creating genuine connections with every guest."

• "We focus on speed and consistency — our regulars know exactly what to expect from us."

• "We're a small, close-knit team where everyone helps each other."

• "We rotate seasonal beans from local roasters and involve the team in cuppings."

Help your barista understand the working environment:

• How does your team work together day-to-day?
• What pace do you operate at — relaxed or high-energy?
• What do you value most in how your team delivers service?
• How do you handle challenges or busy periods as a team?

3. Explain Their Place in the Business

Help your barista understand where they fit and who they work with:

• "As our barista, you're the face of our café — every drink you make shapes how guests experience our brand."

• "You'll work closely with our front-of-house team to deliver a seamless experience from ordering to service."

• "You're the expert behind the bar — guests will look to you for recommendations and coffee knowledge."

Tips if you're unsure what to say

Ask yourself these questions:

• If someone asked your team what it's like to work here, what would they say?
• What do you want your café to be famous for?
• How would you describe a typical busy morning?
• What makes a great shift at your café?
• What's unique about how you do things compared to other coffee shops?

Example 1: Fast-Paced Espresso Bar

We're a busy espresso bar in the city centre, serving over 400 coffees a day to commuters and office workers. As our barista, you're the engine of our operation — making drinks quickly, keeping quality consistent, and maintaining the friendly energy that keeps customers coming back. We use a La Marzocco Linea PB and dial in every morning with a seasonal blend from Origin. The team works fast but we support each other, especially during the morning rush.

Example 2: Neighbourhood Café with Table Service

We're a laid-back neighbourhood café serving brunch and single-origin espresso with full table service. As our barista, you're part of a small, collaborative team — baristas and FOH work closely together to create a calm, welcoming atmosphere for our regulars. We rotate beans monthly and offer pour-over alongside espresso. What matters most here is creating genuine connections with guests and taking pride in every cup.

Step 2: Outline Your Key Responsibilities

This is the core of your video job description — telling your barista exactly what they're responsible for in their role. Be specific about what you expect them to own and deliver.

Avoid vague statements like "prepare coffee." Instead, be clear about the actual tasks and areas they're accountable for. This helps them understand their role and gives them clarity on what success looks like.

Your goal is to clearly communicate: "These are YOUR responsibilities in this role."

Cover 6–10 specific responsibilities, organised into clear areas:

1. Opening and Preparation

These are the responsibilities that get the station ready for service:

• What needs to be done before you open?
• How is the coffee station prepped for the day?

Example responsibilities:

• "You're responsible for dialling in grinders and espresso machine at the start of your shift"
• "You restock milk, cups, takeaway lids, and cleaning materials before service"
• "You prepare batch brew or filters for the day"
• "You clean and sanitise work surfaces and equipment before we open"

2. Service Responsibilities

These are the core responsibilities during trading hours:

• What do you own during service?
• How do you interact with guests and the rest of the team?

Example responsibilities:

• "You prepare espresso-based and filter drinks to a consistent standard"
• "You take customer orders and operate the till when required"
• "You maintain speed and quality during busy periods"
• "You communicate with front-of-house to manage wait times and orders"
• "You keep your workstation clean and well-stocked throughout service"

3. Cleaning and Closing

These are the responsibilities for end-of-shift and daily maintenance:

• What do you own when it comes to closing the station?
• What cleaning routines are part of your role?

Example responsibilities:

• "You clean and backflush the espresso machine and grinders"
• "You restock the station for the next day"
• "You wash and sanitise jugs, tools, and work surfaces"
• "You complete daily cleaning and waste disposal tasks"

Tips if you're unsure what to include

If you're not sure what responsibilities to cover, ask yourself:

• What does your barista spend most of their time on?
• What would go wrong if these tasks didn't get done?
• What do guests experience when the barista is doing a great job?
• What tasks are critical to smooth service?

You can also ask your current barista:

• What do you see as your core responsibilities?
• What takes up most of your time each shift?
• What do you wish was clearer about your role?

Example 1: Small Sit-Down Café

As our barista, here's what you're responsible for:

• You dial in and prepare the coffee station for morning service
• You make espresso and filter drinks to a consistent, high standard
• You work closely with FOH to manage drinks orders during busy periods
• You engage with customers and answer questions about our coffee
• You clean down and restock the station at the end of each shift

Example 2: Fast-Paced Takeaway Bar

As our barista, these are your responsibilities:

• You prepare espresso drinks quickly and accurately in high-volume service
• You keep the bar clean and stocked with milk, cups, and consumables
• You manage dial-in and ensure quality across the team
• You take customer orders and use the till when required
• You carry out daily cleaning and maintenance of machines and tools

Step 3: Explain the Skills They Need

This section tells your barista what skills are essential for their role — and importantly, how you'll help them develop those skills over time.

The goal isn't to list every possible skill, but to be clear about what matters most for success in your café. Be honest about what they need now and what they can grow into.

Your goal is to communicate: "These are the skills that will help you succeed, and here's how we'll support your development."

1. Think about what skills matter most

Look at the responsibilities you outlined and ask what skills enable someone to do them well:

• Dialling in espresso → technical coffee knowledge
• Working busy service → speed and consistency under pressure
• Talking to regulars → customer communication
• Managing prep solo → time management and organisation
• Maintaining quality → attention to detail

2. Separate core skills from development areas

• Core skills: What they need to have now to do the job
• Development areas: Skills they can build over time with your support

Key skill areas for baristas:

• Espresso knowledge (dialling in, adjusting grind, dose, yield)
• Milk steaming and basic latte art
• Coffee consistency and speed during busy service
• Customer service and communication
• Hygiene and cleanliness standards
• Teamwork and communication during service

Focus on what's genuinely important for your specific café.

Example 1: Quality-Focused Café

Core skills you need:

• Experience making espresso drinks using a manual machine
• Able to steam milk with good texture and produce basic latte art
• Understands coffee dosing, yield, and grinder adjustment
• Comfortable communicating with customers in a relaxed service style
• Good hygiene and clean-as-you-go habits

Skills we'll help you develop:

• Knowledge of single-origin coffee and different brew methods
• Daily dial-in and espresso calibration
• Understanding of seasonal beans and flavour profiles
• Advanced latte art and pour techniques
• Career progression to senior barista or trainer role

Example 2: Fast-Paced Takeaway Bar

Core skills you need:

• Able to make consistent coffee quickly under pressure
• Comfortable using semi-automatic machines
• Strong customer service in a fast-moving queue
• Good hygiene and clean-as-you-go habits
• Reliable and punctual

Skills we'll help you develop:

• Multi-tasking across drinks, till, and prep
• Stock rotation and daily restocking
• Training and supporting new team members
• Understanding of speciality coffee and brewing

Step 4: Describe the Personality Fit

Beyond skills and responsibilities, this section helps your barista understand the personal characteristics that will help them thrive in your environment.

This isn't about telling them who to be — it's about helping them understand what kind of behaviours and attitudes lead to success at your café. It's also a chance to show them how you'll support their personal development.

Your goal is to communicate: "These are the personal characteristics that will help you succeed, and here's how we'll help you develop them."

1. Think about what makes people successful here

Consider:

• What do your best team members have in common?
• What kind of attitude thrives in your environment?
• How does your team handle pressure and challenges?
• What communication style works best with your guests?

2. Be specific, not generic

Instead of vague phrases like "team player" or "hard worker," describe what these actually look like:

• "You jump in to help restock when it's busy without being asked"
• "You stay calm and focused during the morning rush"
• "You welcome regulars and remember their orders"
• "You communicate clearly with the team during service"
• "You take feedback well and actively look for ways to improve"

3. Consider how personality fits your environment

• In a fast-paced coffee bar: calm under pressure, quick on your feet, focused on consistency
• In a relaxed neighbourhood café: warm, observant, happy to chat with customers

Example 1: Fast-Paced Takeaway Café

The personality traits that will help you succeed here:

• You stay calm under pressure and focused on consistency
• You're quick on your feet and enjoy working at pace
• You communicate clearly with the team during busy periods
• You're reliable — the team knows you'll be there and ready
• You take pride in making every drink well, even when it's hectic
• You're open to feedback and always looking to improve

We'll support you by giving you regular feedback, involving you in training sessions, and creating a clear path to senior roles if that's your goal.

Example 2: Relaxed Brunch Café

The personality traits that will help you succeed here:

• You're friendly and genuinely enjoy interacting with customers
• You're observant and notice when guests need attention
• You take pride in your work and the quality of what you serve
• You're collaborative and support your teammates
• You stay positive even when things get busy
• You have a genuine interest in coffee and hospitality

We'll support your development through regular check-ins, opportunities to attend cuppings, and mentorship from experienced team members.

Step 5: Define What Success Looks Like

This final section is crucial — it helps your barista understand how they'll know they're doing a great job. It's not about setting rigid KPIs, but about painting a clear picture of what success looks like in their role.

When people understand what good looks like, they can aim for it. This section gives them clarity on expectations and helps them self-assess their performance.

Your goal is to communicate: "This is how you'll know you're succeeding in this role."

1. Think about what success actually looks like

Consider both the measurable and the less tangible:

• What does a great shift look like for your barista?
• How do you know when things are going well?
• What feedback would you give them when they're excelling?
• What do customers say when the barista is doing a great job?

2. Include a mix of indicators

Some things you can measure:

• Drink quality and consistency
• Speed during busy service
• Cleanliness and organisation of the station
• Customer feedback and compliments

Some things you observe:

• They're calm and confident during the rush
• The station stays clean and stocked without constant reminders
• They build rapport with regulars
• They communicate well with the team
• They're always looking for ways to improve

3. Be honest about what matters most

Every café is different. Be clear about what you actually care about:

• "For us, the most important thing is consistency — every drink should be great"
• "Success here means guests leave feeling welcomed and well looked after"
• "What matters most is that you're reliable and take ownership of your station"

Example 1: Fast-Paced Espresso Bar

You'll know you're succeeding when:

• Every drink you make is consistent — guests get the same quality every time
• You maintain speed during the morning rush without sacrificing quality
• Your station stays clean and stocked throughout the busiest service
• The team trusts you to hold your own during peak periods
• Regulars recognise you and ask for you by name
• You're actively learning and improving your craft
• You feel proud of what we achieve together each morning

Example 2: Neighbourhood Café

You'll know you're succeeding when:

• Guests compliment the coffee and the experience
• You've built genuine relationships with our regulars
• Your station is always clean and well-organised
• You're confident dialling in and adjusting for different beans
• The team enjoys working with you and values your contribution
• You're growing your coffee knowledge and trying new techniques
• You feel like a valued part of our team and our community