Retail Sales Associate/Barista

LJA Mission Statement:

The mission of Lake Junaluska is to be a place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through renewal of soul, mind and body.  

Located in the Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina, Lake Junaluska is a ministry of The United Methodist Church and plays a vital role by providing a location for training and renewal.  Each year Lake Junaluska will host over 200,000 guests who are engaged in spiritual training, recreation or renewal events and activities.  Our guests include religious, non-profit and secular groups.  We are also a residential and vacation community. 

Essential Functions

• Accurately take coffee (café) orders, handle all guest transactions, including accurate exchange of payment transactions through the use of Point of Sale (POS) system.

• Operates a commercial espresso machine, preparing and pulling the shot. Prepares grinds per request of the customer. 

• Preparing coffee, tea, and other beverages, including specialty drinks. 

• Suggests beverage and/or food to customers to enhance their order. 

• Prepares beverages to standard, and follows health, safety, and sanitation guidelines for all products. 

• Follows standards for merchandising, inventory stocking and rotating, and storing products. 

• Answers customer's questions concerning location, price, and use of merchandise. Wraps or bags merchandise for customers. 

• Performs daily and weekly cleaning tasks in accordance with the duty rosters. 

• Use proper food handling techniques when preparing products including but not limited to preparation of hot and cold coffee beverages (required), storing refrigerated products, and cleaning of equipment.

• Maintain a clean workstation at all times.

• Must possess excellent hospitality skills and a strong desire to foster an attitude of Christian hospitality to “exceed guest expectations”.

• Comply with all safety policies, practices and procedures and report any unsafe activities or conditions immediately to supervisor, or the Human Resources office.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned and required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Prefer 3-6 months of Barista, Customer Service, or Retail experience.

• Must have demonstrated good communication skills and a commitment to providing responsive and caring customer service.

• Must be flexible and able to adapt to changing needs, multiple tasks, and work structures.

• Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence, emails, and memos.

•  computer skills, organizational skills, and interpersonal skills are required.  

• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule 

Performance/Success Factors

• Be punctual to work and other related functions

• Performs well in a team environment

• Complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner

• Ability to prioritize daily tasks and events.  

• Perform routine duties with minimal supervision.

• Strives for excellence in all tasks and duties and fosters an attitude of “exceeding guest expectations”.

• Able to work independently but operate within LJA policy guidelines using independent judgment.

Working Conditions

• Light to moderate physical activity performing non-strenuous activities with quiet to moderate noise. 

• Well-lighted, heated and air-conditioned indoor setting with adequate ventilation.

• Ability to coordinate work, frequently moves about, able to stand, walk, sit for prolonged periods, manual dexterity to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms.

• Climb or balance, stoop, kneel, talk to and hear staff and customer requests, and also lift or otherwise move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Must have adequate vision to carry out daily activities.

Lake Junaluska is an Equal Opportunity Employer