Head Barista

La Brioche Café et Pâtisserie is seeking an experienced Head Barista to lead the coffee program at our Dubai opening. This senior role combines technical coffee expertise, team leadership, and operational ownership to deliver consistent, high‑quality beverages and an outstanding guest experience. The Head Barista will set beverage standards, train and mentor baristas, manage equipment and inventory, and collaborate with FOH and kitchen leadership to support seasonal menus and local activations. The ideal candidate is passionate about coffee, skilled in espresso and alternative brew methods, and comfortable running a busy station while coaching a small team.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coffee Program Leadership
  • Define and maintain beverage recipes, extraction targets, milk‑texturing standards, and presentation guidelines.
  • Develop seasonal drink concepts and support menu rollouts in collaboration with management.
• Team Training and Development
  • Recruit, train, and mentor baristas; run regular calibrations, tastings, and skills workshops.
  • Create training materials, shift checklists, and competency assessments to ensure consistency.
• Quality Control and Consistency
  • Monitor shot times, grind settings, water temperature, and milk texture; perform regular sensory checks.
  • Lead daily calibrations and corrective actions to maintain beverage quality across shifts.
• Equipment and Maintenance
  • Oversee daily cleaning and preventive maintenance of espresso machines, grinders, and brewing equipment.
  • Liaise with suppliers and service technicians for repairs, spare parts, and equipment upgrades.
• Inventory and Cost Management
  • Manage coffee and consumable inventory, track usage, and minimise waste through portion control.
  • Support costing for new beverages and monitor beverage gross margin targets.
• Guest Experience and Service
  • Deliver high standards of guest interaction at the coffee bar; handle guest feedback and recovery when required.
  • Demonstrate latte art and specialty techniques during peak service to inspire the team.
• Operational Support
  • Create rosters, manage shift handovers, and act as manager on duty for the coffee station when needed.
  • Ensure compliance with HACCP, allergen controls, and FOH hygiene standards.

Requirements

• Experience
  • Minimum 3+ years barista experience with at least 1 year in a supervisory or lead barista role; café or patisserie environment preferred.
• Technical Skills
  • Strong espresso extraction knowledge, grinder calibration, milk‑texturing, and latte art.
  • Familiarity with alternative brew methods (V60, Aeropress, batch brew) and basic coffee roasting concepts.
• Leadership and Training
  • Proven ability to train, motivate, and retain barista teams; experience creating training plans and running calibrations.
• Commercial and Operational
  • Inventory management experience, basic costing awareness, and ability to work to beverage margin targets.
  • Competent with POS systems and shift reporting.
• Personal Attributes
  • Passion for coffee, excellent communication, calm under pressure, and a hands‑on, coachable leadership style.
  • Eligible to work in the UAE and available for flexible shifts including weekends and public holidays.

About La Brioche

La Brioche Café et Pâtisserie is an established UAE brand celebrated for classic European pastries, artisanal breads, and a warm café experience. Founded on traditional patisserie techniques and approachable hospitality, La Brioche blends high‑quality baking with modern café service. The brand values consistent product standards, staff development, and a friendly guest environment. Joining La Brioche offers practical training, clear progression paths, and the chance to shape the coffee culture at a growing concept across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Al Ain.

Application Process

1. Email — Send your CV to careers@alahliagroup.com and include Head Barista — Dubai in the subject line.
2. WhatsApp — Optionally share your CV or enquiries to 050 426 3989.
3. Walk‑in — Hand in your CV at any La Brioche branch during business hours.
4. Shortlisting — Qualified applicants will be contacted for interview and practical assessment.
5. Interview and Assessment — Expect competency questions and a practical test (espresso pull, milk texturing, basic latte art, and a short calibration exercise).
6. Offer and Onboarding — Successful candidates will receive an offer and an induction schedule including equipment training and menu familiarisation.