Cafe Matcha | PT Barista

JOB TITLE: Barista

REPORTS TO: Cafe Manager

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

WAGE: $20/hr
 

Café Matcha is a new, matcha-focused cafe from Alfred, that combines the old-school cool of retro diners with new-wave matcha preparation, drink making, and sourcing. We aim to make matcha accessible, fun, and quality-focused.

Alfred opened the doors to its first location on tree-lined Melrose Place in January of 2013. Guided by our four core values — CONSISTENT INNOVATION, EVERYDAY EXCELLENCE, COLLABORATIVE INDIVIDUALITY, and JOYFUL BELONGING — we have built a passionate following with our innovative drinks, eye-catching design, and top-notch customer service.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Customer Interaction

• Greet guests warmly, deliver exceptional service, and anticipate needs.
• Explain beverage and food options, answer questions, and build customer rapport.
• Handle phone inquiries, process orders accurately.
• Maintain a calm and welcoming presence during busy periods.

• Possesses confident knowledge on matcha, processing techniques, rituals, and history.

Beverage Preparation

• Craft consistent, high-quality beverages and food following Café Matcha standards.
• Maintain equipment and understand matcha/tea origins and flavor profiles.

Food Service

• Prepares food according to Café Matcha recipes, understands food handling protocols, explains food options to customers, and maintains a clean prep space.
• Reports safety hazards to the manager on duty.

Teamwork

• Collaborates effectively with colleagues through active listening, clear communication, and a solution-oriented approach.
• Informs management of operational inconsistencies and performs duties with a team focus.

Cafe Operations

• Ensure a clean and organized work environment, restock shelves, and assist with deliveries.
• Practice active listening, communicate effectively with colleagues, and support a team-oriented approach.
• Report operational inconsistencies and maintain a safe work environment by following hygiene protocols along with food and health safety standards.

Safety & Compliance

• Follows all company procedures for cash handling, food safety, cafe organization, sanitation, and hygiene.
• Reports safety hazards and employee accidents to the manager on duty.
• Maintains consistent attendance, provides advance notice for scheduling conflicts, and adheres to company policies.

Additional Duties

• Adhere to all policies and procedures outlined in Company’s employee handbook.
• Any other tasks that may be assigned to meet company goals.

• Previous experience in a café or restaurant setting preferred a plus, but not required.
• A passion for working with the public in a customer-facing capacity.  
• A passion for, and experience in preparing ingredients, following recipes, etc. 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well in a team environment and under pressure.
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn.
• Flexibility to attend quarterly team meetings or trainings that may occasionally be scheduled outside of regular working hours.
• We require all employees to maintain a minimum of 3 shifts per week.  
• Full-time employees must maintain an average of 30 hours per week to maintain full-time status. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to lift up to 20 pounds without assistance.
• Move quickly and efficiently from one area of the café to another.
• Ability to hear and communicate effectively in English.
• Good vision, including the ability to see details at close range.
• Flexibility to bend and squat as necessary to perform cleaning and stocking tasks.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Capable of operating a cash register or tablet device to enter customer orders accurately and efficiently. 
• This job requires full hand functionality for making drinks and using equipment. You'll need to handle the equipment, hot water, steamers, and other tools with ease and precision. Dexterity and coordination are key to preparing beverages. 
• Ability to speak clearly and project voice to effectively communicate with customers and team members.

WHAT YOU’LL GET:

• Wage: $20/hr
• Medical, Dental, & Vision insurance packages - FT employees
• 401k plan
• Paid time off accruals
• Employee discounts
• Free coffee & pastry each shift
• Performance reviews (90-day & annual review)
• Bonus potential*
• Open Path Collective - Therapy Reimbursement

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

At Cafe Matcha, we are committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, developing and promoting the most qualified employees regardless of their race, sex, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, genetics, victim of any qualifying act of violence (QAOV) status, or any other status protected by state or federal law, and we prohibit employee harassment or discrimination of any kind on the basis of any such protected status.