Head Barista — Roasters Specialty Coffee House

Introduction / Summary
The Head Barista at Roasters Specialty Coffee House is a senior, craft-focused role responsible for owning the coffee program, mentoring the bar team, and delivering consistently excellent beverages that define our guest experience. This role suits a technically skilled coffee professional who combines deep product knowledge with strong coaching ability, operational discipline, and a service-first mindset. As Head Barista you will lead pre-opening coffee setup, define extraction targets and machine calibrations, create training plans and recipe documentation, and act as the primary quality gate for every cup served. You will work closely with management to shape menus, run cuppings and staff tastings, manage coffee stock and equipment servicing, and help build a bar culture rooted in precision, curiosity and hospitality. This is a hands-on leadership position that requires a calm, methodical approach during peak service and a continuous improvement mindset between shifts.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the in-café coffee program: set and maintain extraction parameters, grind settings, dosing, and milk-texture standards for all espresso and milk-based drinks.
• Train, assess and certify baristas on espresso extraction, milk texturing, brewing methods (espresso, filter, batch brew), recipe consistency and advanced service techniques.
• Create and maintain clear recipe cards, machine and grinder settings logs, cleaning schedules, and preventive maintenance routines; ensure adherence to these standards.
• Run regular cuppings, sensory sessions and calibration exercises to develop team palate, troubleshoot flavour variability and refine roast/recipe alignment.
• Manage daily coffee stock: monitor green and roasted inventory levels, oversee FIFO rotation, log wastage, and coordinate orders with suppliers to avoid stock-outs.
• Maintain and supervise machine and grinder health: perform routine maintenance, basic troubleshooting, and co-ordinate technician servicing for complex repairs.
• Lead quality control during service: taste-check during service windows, provide immediate coaching, and address recurring issues proactively.
• Collaborate with kitchen and FOH to design coffee-forward menus, seasonal beverages and limited-time offers that drive guest interest and margin.
• Represent the brand in external tastings or community events when required; advocate Roasters’ standards and origin stories.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organised bar area; ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations.

Requirements

• Minimum 2–4 years’ professional barista experience with at least 1+ year in a senior or lead barista/head barista role in specialty coffee or high-volume café environments.
• Demonstrable technical skills in espresso extraction, grinder calibration, milk texturing, and filter-brewing methods.
• Strong training experience: proven ability to mentor, assess and uplift barista skills through structured coaching and practical assessments.
• Deep interest in coffee sourcing, roast profiles and sensory evaluation; experience running cuppings and creating tasting notes is highly desirable.
• Practical equipment knowledge: routine maintenance of espresso machines, grinders and brewers; ability to perform basic troubleshooting and liaise with service technicians.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills; calm under pressure and comfortable leading during peak service.
• Attention to detail, strong organisational habits and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Flexibility to work varied shifts including early mornings, weekends and public holidays.
• Relevant coffee certifications (SCA, barista academy) are advantageous but not mandatory.

Application Process

To apply, send your CV and a brief cover note to hr@roasterscoffee.ae with the subject line: Head Barista — [Your Full Name]. You can also apply via careers.yalladuka.com. In your cover note, highlight your most relevant barista achievements, any training you deliver, and your earliest availability. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a phone pre-screen, a practical barista assessment and a panel interview.

Job Location and Company Info

• Location: Roasters Specialty Coffee House — New branch (Dubai, UAE; precise branch address to be confirmed during the recruitment process).
• Company: Roasters Specialty Coffee House is a specialty coffee brand committed to quality, traceability and warm hospitality. We invest in people through structured training, clear career pathways and a culture that values craftsmanship, teamwork and continuous learning.