WatchHouse is a group of specialty coffee Houses located in iconic neighbourhoods across London, Bath and New York. We are dedicated to elevating the coffee experience through our "Modern Coffee" philosophy. We offer premium products in exceptional places with our passionate team to ensure each visit offers a unique guest experience. This commitment to quality and heartfelt hospitality, earnt us the title of Europe’s Best Coffee Shop Chain at the 2024 European Coffee & Hospitality Awards.

In short:
As a Head Barista at WatchHouse, you hold the responsibility of ensuring the exceptional quality of every drink served in your House. You are a leader, a mentor, and a brand ambassador of Modern Coffee. You are accountable for your barista team's performance and the overall guest experience. Through coaching, team development, and equipment maintenance, you set the tone for excellence, hospitality, and WatchHouse’s signature Modern Coffee culture.

Directly report into: House Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

• Cultivate an atmosphere of unparalleled hospitality, ensuring regulars feel at home and new guests feel welcomed.

• Provide coaching and professional development for your barista team.

• Lead inspiring and engaging coffee-related meetings or training sessions as needed.

• Represent your team at Head Barista meetings with the Senior Coffee Team.

• Proactively meet with the Coffee team to exchange insights and ideas for improvement.

• Ensure every coffee and drink meets WatchHouse’s exceptional quality standards, even in high-pressure environments.

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of all drinks offerings, recipes, and techniques, sharing this expertise with your team.

• Conduct daily tastings with your team, fostering a culture of curiosity and passion for flavor, quality, and innovation.

• Manage the daily operations of the bar, ensuring standards are upheld and production is efficient.

• Lead by example during opening and closing shifts, demonstratingprofessionalism and setting the benchmark for performance.

• Oversee stock control, ordering, and wastage management, tackling inefficiencies and maintaining excellent supplier relationships.

• Maintain visual merchandising and retail displays, ensuring high standards of presentation and accessibility.

• Troubleshoot equipment issues, perform basic repairs, and replace filters or parts as needed.

• Communicate with repair specialists and escalate maintenance concerns appropriately.

• Demonstrate passion and expertise in creating vibrant connections with guests, turning visits into memorable experiences.

Key to this Role:

• Live and breathe our core values of Passion, Empathy, Can Do and Diligence.

• Approachable, positive, and brings energy and personality to every interaction, whether with guests or your team.

• Remain calm under pressure and handle difficult conversations professionally.

• A true coffee enthusiast with a hunger to learn and inspire others about specialty coffee, food, and hospitality.

• From cleanliness to drink quality, you are meticulous and organized, setting high standards for your team to follow.

• You are solution-oriented, proactive in tackling challenges, and adaptable to the needs of your House and team.

• You are patient and supportive, skilled at coaching and empowering others to grow and succeed.

What can you expect at WatchHouse:

• Competitive wage of up to £17.50 per hour (dependant on location + whether you are eligible for base + tronc or base only.)
• Beautiful designed Houses, working on industry leading equipment and fellow hospitality professionals.

• Contracted hours every week to give you stability and the ability to plan your personal life.

• Empathetic managers who will be flexible on your needs.

• Free coffee, tea and WatchHouse made drinks (even on your days off!).

• Providing on and off shift training when you join the team to ensure you are set for success.

• Access to SCA training (depending on your role).

• 250g of free coffee each month.

• Access to the Cycle to work scheme.

• A day off shift induction within your first two weeks of joining WatchHouse.

• Genuine opportunities for career growth within WatchHouse as we continue to grow.

• Free lunch on every shift.

• A social budget for each location to have fun with your team outside of work.

• An invite to the annual WatchHouse Party; including presenting the Core Value Awards and prizes such as a trip to Coffee Farms!

• 30% off food in any of our House, any time.

• 30% off our WatchHouse retail coffee, anytime

Working at WatchHouse.

WatchHouse was born from a passion to do better. Diligence and attention to detail are paramount to what we do, we focus on the detail. We strive for perfection. We really care.

We are a people first business, curious and interested in those around us. We treat everyone with respect. We pride ourselves on creating an environment where diversity is celebrated, equality is insisted and inclusion expected.

A company where we believe in having the right person in the role; personality and individuality at the top of the list of what we are looking for in applications and throughout our hiring process.

We also know that everyone is different, and we value and respect diversity, standing up for equality and standing against any form of discrimination.

Decisions about and the treatment of people at work should be based on the individual’s abilities, skills, performance and behaviour- these should be assessed against the WatchHouse job description requirements for each individual role.

We are always patient and considerate towards others. Encouraging, approachable and communicating brilliantly. We strive to be the best we can be, by giving and receiving regular and honest feedback in a professional manner.

We plan ahead, prioritise and are mindful and respect the time of others. We complete every task to the best of our ability. Always happy to ask for help, work in cohesion with other people/departments and share successes.

We work to make WatchHouse an environment of trust and comradery, where others are inspired to play their part in working effectively together. Building strong relationships with others and demonstrating positive energy. We recognise and value the contribution of others across the business, working together to deliver the Modern Coffee experience to each and every person touched by our business.

Our four core values - passion, can do, diligence and empathy - are what make WatchHouse who we are. Our decisions are made based on these principles. To grow and succeed at WatchHouse, it is imperative that these values also resonate strongly with you and can drive your ambition in the same way they do ours.

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