Cafe Lead

Joe Coffee Cafe Leads are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and dedicated coffee professionals who support general business operations, staff development, and coffee quality. They assist the General Manager with operational tasks and initiatives and help ensure execution of Joe Coffee's quality standards for all offerings and hospitality. This is achieved through data collection in conjunction with the QC team, routine equipment maintenance, and staff coaching.

Internal candidates: Please notify your current manager of your intent to apply for this role.

Compensation $20 per hour + tips

• Oversee day-to-day store operations, including inventory management, banking, and cash handling

• Develop understanding of café operating and financial goals to help achieve targets

• Conduct new hire training and provide ongoing development after bar training

• Maintain a robust coffee environment in the café through in-stock retail displays and actively coaching staff on offerings to customers

• Perform GM duties when the GM is away or unavailable, including communication with HQ, handling employee issues, and reporting on store concerns

• Ensure brewed coffee is always served fresh and meets Joe Coffee standards

• Dial in all brewed coffee

• Manage coffee inventory, ensuring coffee is brewed with proper time off roast

• Maintain tasting logs for both drip coffee and espresso

• Maintain beverage recipes and grind guides

• Ensure staff understand and can communicate with customers about the coffee and espresso we serve

• Provide staff with information about new coffees and menu changes, and conduct in-store tastings for all new coffees

• Train and continually coach staff on bar flow, efficiency & cleanliness, palate development, and overall drink service (hospitality, presentation, latte art)

• Ensure all brewing equipment is maintained and cleaned according to Joe Coffee standards

• Record all cleanings, maintenance, and issues in the store's Google spreadsheet

• Communicate directly with the Coffee Technician for urgent issues

At Joe Coffee, we care deeply about the well-being, growth, and happiness of our team. Here's a snapshot of the benefits we offer to support employees both at work and beyond:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – Available after six months of employment

• Beyond Med Access – Support for elective procedures not tied to medical plan eligibility

• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits – Save on eligible transit and commuting expenses

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Confidential mental health, legal, financial, and personal support

  • Hourly employees must average 30 hours per week to qualify for benefits where applicable

• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Start saving for your future with employer match

• Bonuses & Incentives, including:

  • Employee referral bonuses

  • Renewing or obtaining food handler's permits

  • Team-based recognition programs

  • Special events like the Halloween Costume Contest

• In-Depth Barista Training – Hands-on learning to hone your craft

• Paid Continuing Education – Opportunities to expand skills and explore new areas of interest

• Mentorship Program – One-on-one guidance to support your professional journey

• Origin Trips – Opportunities to travel and deepen your knowledge of coffee at the source

• The Joe Show – Our signature community-building event

• Holiday Celebration – A festive end-of-year gathering for the whole team

• Latte Art Throwdowns – Friendly competition and connection through coffee

We continuously look for ways to expand our benefits and support employees' evolving needs. In the past, offerings have included:

• Subsidized Citi Bike or Lyft Pink memberships

• Free financial literacy workshops

Joe Coffee Company was founded in 2003 by Jonathan Rubinstein as a single specialty coffee house in Manhattan's West Village, with a simple vision: brew high-quality, unique coffees and create a welcoming space for our community.

Today, Joe Coffee operates 23 cafés in New York and its own Roastery in Long Island City, while remaining committed to warm hospitality, quality, and barista education.

At Joe, we believe a great coffee experience relies as much on the barista as it does the coffee. That's why we invest in industry-leading professional training and foster continued success for our baristas. As an early pioneer of artisan coffee in New York, we continue to innovate, grow, and lead as the specialty coffee movement expands.

Joe Coffee Company is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage applicants to request accommodations during the hiring process if needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Be Passionate and knowledgeable about speciality coffee
• Strong barista with excellent espresso/drink making skills
• Service Experience - Adhere to recipes and presentations for food and beverage items
• Great Customer Service (Hospitality focused)
• Be able to lead and educate café staff
• Able to Multi-task; Experienced and comfortable with working busy shifts
• Detailed-oriented and passionate about product quality
• Tidy and self-disciplined
• Food Protection License