Job Purpose:

As the Barista / Coffee Shop Assistant in our Student Union, you will play a crucial role in creating a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere for students, faculty, and visitors. Your primary responsibility will be to provide exceptional coffee, beverage and food service, receiving and delivering orders (coffee, soft drinks, alcohol and food) ensuring a positive and enjoyable experience for all guests.

This role is an enjoyable and rewarding opportunity, working in an extremely sociable environment. We expect a high level of commitment and a real passion to be part of a dedicated working team. You will need to be hardworking, fun and always ready to work with a smile on your face.

Responsible to: Food and Beverage Team Leader

Responsible for: Casual Staff

Department/Service

The Barista is part of the Greenwich Students’ Union Commercial Services. At GSU, we turn over £1.1m through our not-for-profit commercial services that provide services to students, staff, and the local population. We provide students at the University of Greenwich with social spaces to study, make friends and have fun.

Additionally, the profit generated through our varied income portfolio is invested back into the SU support services for students. We are a Living Wage Employer and a large employer of students putting money back in their pockets to support studying and living costs in London and Kent.

Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve a variety of coffee and non-coffee beverages, snacks, pastries, and other food items, following established recipes and quality standards.

• Take customer orders, answer inquiries, provide information about menu items and make beverage recommendations based on preferences.
• Consistently ensure the quality, freshness, and presentation of all products.
• Prioritise tasks to ensure timely delivery of beverages while maintaining quality.
• Adhere to strict hygiene and sanitation standards to ensure a clean and organised workspace.
• Regularly clean and maintain coffee machines, equipment, tables, countertops, and the service area.
• Engage in food preparation activities, including coffee making, cooking, washing, peeling, and cutting.
• Operate tills, ticket admission, take cash, and give change in line with set procedures.
• Manage orders and inventory to ensure there are no shortages of supplies.
• Stay informed about coffee blends, brewing methods, and other relevant product information.
• Actively promote special offers, loyalty programs, and new products to increase sales.
• Work collaboratively with other team members, including kitchen staff and management.
• Communicate effectively to ensure smooth operations and a positive work environment.
• Strictly always adhere to the conditions of our premises license.
• Presentable for work in a clean and tidy fashion, wearing the stipulated uniform which will be clean and ironed or wearing the theme dress as required whilst on company premises and never attending work under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other substances.
• Confers with the Venue Management team/Supervisor on set-ups and last-minute changes.
• Adapt to changing demands and be flexible in undertaking various responsibilities within the venue.
• Maintain a comprehensive working knowledge of different coffee options, and food and beverage menus to advise guests on selections and promote additional sales.

Standards of Service

• Provide professional, friendly, and efficient service to all guests in a safe and efficient manner.
• Maintain a clean and well-presented work area throughout shifts.

• Keep all areas of the venue clean including toilets, foyer, cellar, back rooms, and customer tables, ensuring customer areas are clean at all times.
• Work efficiently to handle a high volume of orders, maintaining quick and accurate service during peak hours.
• Deliver an efficient and effective service, understanding and exceeding customer needs and requirements whenever possible.
• Promote additional sales through professional and courteous up-selling.
• Adhere to strict cash handling procedures, be familiar with credit/debit card procedures, and promptly report any issues to a Team Leader.
• Ensure all products are fully stocked throughout the shift and securely stored at the end of the shift.
• Enforce the Challenge 25 policy, only accepting approved forms of ID for age verification.
• Clear and clean customer tables, ensuring customer areas remain clean at all times, and wash glasses and dishes as required.
• Using correct COSHH around the venue.
• Tries new and sustainable practices: whenever possible, employee tries to reduce the negative environmental impact of their work – especially their waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Ensure all administration related to the department is complete and accurate, including delivery notes, incident and accident reports, and accident books.
• Act as the initial point of contact for queries/issues related to F&B outlets.

Stock Management and Reporting

• Check and return all invoices/delivery notes to the Finance Team (FT) and F&B Venue Manager by the agreed-upon deadline each day.
• Handle stock and equipment in a secure manner.
• Record wastage in line with venue procedures.
• Assist in monitoring and replenishing coffee beans, syrups, and other supplies.
• Conduct stock rotation to ensure product quality, and relocate stock internally as needed to meet customer demand.
• Assist in the maintenance of venue and merchandising displays as required.
• Dispose of rubbish in the correct manner in line with our recycling objectives.

Health, Safety, and Compliance

• Work within operational procedures, licensing, health, and safety policies, safeguarding, hygiene and other regulations pertaining to the operation of the venue, ensuring all staff are trained appropriately.
• Adhere to all GSU policies related to HR, staffing, health and safety, data protection, environment, and any other specific GSU Policy impacting your role or that of the team.

General Responsibilities

• Represent and be an ambassador for GSU.
• Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop, or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position.
• Maintain and improve competencies through continuous professional development.
• Abide by organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices.
• Support and promote workplace liberation, diversity, equality, and inclusion of opportunity.
• Treat with confidentiality any personal, private, or sensitive information about individual organisations, clients, staff, and Project data.
• Actively seek better ways to assist GSU in becoming a more sustainable workplace.
• Any other duties commensurate with the accountabilities of the post

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Essential Attributes

• Previous experience as a Barista, or Coffee Shop Assistant, preferably in a high-volume setting.
• Knowledge of coffee brewing techniques and familiarity with various coffee blends.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Exceptional customer service and creating a welcoming environment for students.

• Excellent communication skills and a positive attitude while interacting with clients and co-workers.
• Ability to handle difficult or conflict situations and communicate effectively both orally and in writing at all levels.
• Excellent time management, organisational, and planning skills.
• Demonstrated accountability, responsibility, reliability, and amenability.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word, and understanding social media platforms.
• Flexibility to work varied shifts, including weekends as required.

Desirable Attributes

• Health and Safety Level 2, First Aid etc.
• Barista training or certification.
• Creative flair for latte art and presentation.
• Understanding of sustainability practices in the coffee industry.
• Understanding and knowledge of working within the student sector.

Personal Attributes and Other Requirements

• All Commercial Services staff may be asked to work at other campus outlets on an ad hoc basis to assist with day-to-day operations and events.
• Innovative and forward-thinking approach to continued improvement.
• Able to travel extensively within the Borough and Region.
• Able to work unsociable hours and stay overnight where necessary.
• Work well in a team with a flexible approach to work.
• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities.

• An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.
• Commitment to the values and ethos of the Organisation.

Skills You Will Develop

• Food and Beverage expertise, including bar, restaurant, lounge, and function areas.
• Knowledge of wine and food pairings.
• Cash handling proficiency.
• Planning and organising skills.
• Effective teamwork abilities.
• Cultural, community and environmental awareness.

Training Available

• Formal hospitality qualification (if applicable).
• Specialist training relevant to the role.
• Ongoing in-depth support is available throughout the year from the Venue Managers

Miscellaneous

• The definition and examples of work included above are not exhaustive – they are illustrative and for guidance only. A particular post holder with this job title may not perform all duties detailed in this job description. Conversely, not all the duties performed will be listed on this document.
• It is the practice of GSU Commercial Services to periodically examine employees’ job descriptions and update them to ensure they relate to the job as then being performed. This will be done with the Senior Manager in consultation with the employee.

CONDITIONS:

Contract Casual

Hours Zero hours per week. Expected commitment of 2 to 3 shifts per week minimum.

Salary £11.44ph + Paid holiday on top of your hourly rate of 12.07% per hour

Notice period One Week

Benefits Training opportunity. Personal development opportunities. Building verbal communication skills. Gaining essential knowledge and experience to further your career options. Working as part of a team. Uniform and Meal on duty provided.