About Poco Rit Cafe
Poco Rit Cafe is an artisan bakery and café in Richmond, specializing in handcrafted breads, viennoiseries, specialty coffee, tea, and seasonal brunch offerings.
We are passionate about craftsmanship, hospitality, and creating a welcoming community space where quality and attention to detail matter. As we prepare for our opening, we are looking for an experienced and dedicated Lead Barista to help establish and maintain our coffee program from day one.
Position Overview
The Lead Barista is responsible for maintaining the highest standards of coffee quality and consistency while supporting daily café operations. This role requires someone who is confident managing opening shifts, dialing in espresso independently, calibrating equipment, and adjusting recipes based on changing coffee conditions.
The ideal candidate is passionate about specialty coffee, takes pride in their craft, and enjoys working in a collaborative bakery café environment.
Responsibilities
- Open the café and prepare the coffee bar for daily service
- Dial in espresso and calibrate grinders and equipment each morning
- Adjust grind settings, recipes, and extraction parameters based on bean condition, humidity, weather, and coffee performance
- Monitor coffee quality throughout the day and make necessary adjustments
- Prepare espresso-based beverages to a consistently high standard
- Demonstrate clean and consistent latte art
- Maintain coffee equipment and ensure proper cleaning and preventative maintenance procedures are followed
- Support training and development of baristas
- Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient workstation
- Assist with inventory management and ordering when required
- Work closely with management and team members to uphold service and quality standards
- Provide friendly, professional, and welcoming customer service
Qualifications
- Minimum 1 years of specialty coffee experience
- Minimum 1 year of opening shift experience in a café environment
- Strong knowledge of espresso extraction, grinder calibration, and workflow management
- Ability to independently dial in espresso and troubleshoot extraction issues
- Consistent milk texturing and latte art skills
- Experience with specialty manual brewing methods, including pour-over coffee, is strongly preferred
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
- Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
- Availability for early mornings, weekends, and holidays
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation: $22–26/hr + Tips based on experience
- Staff discounts on food and beverages
- Opportunities for growth and leadership development
- A supportive and collaborative work environment
- The opportunity to help shape a new specialty coffee and bakery program from the ground up
Pay: $20.00-$24.47 per hour
Work Location: In person
