Great coffee starts with great people.
At Poppy's Café, we believe every cup tells a story.
We're building more than a café—we're creating a place where exceptional hospitality meets meaningful opportunity. Every customer who walks through our doors deserves outstanding coffee, genuine service, and an experience they'll want to return for.
We're looking for an experienced Lead Barista who shares that vision.
If you take pride in every espresso you pour, thrive in a fast-paced café environment, and believe great hospitality is found in the little things, we'd love to hear from you.
About Poppy's Café
Our goal is simple:
To operate an exceptional café where guests come because they love the coffee, the food, and the experience.
Behind the scenes, we're creating meaningful employment opportunities by helping participants build practical hospitality skills in a professional café environment.
Our guests come for the café.
Our participants leave with confidence, experience, and a pathway to employment.
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to help establish the culture and standards of a brand-new café.
Working alongside the Restaurant Lead, you'll play an integral role in creating an exceptional guest experience while supporting participants as they learn what it means to work in a professional hospitality environment.
We're looking for someone who leads by example, takes pride in their work, and enjoys sharing their knowledge with others.
Key Responsibilities
As our Lead Barista, you will:
- Prepare consistently exceptional espresso-based beverages.
- Dial in espresso and maintain coffee quality throughout the day.
- Open and close the café to the highest operational standards.
- Deliver warm, engaging, and professional customer service.
- Maintain exceptional cleanliness, presentation, and food safety standards.
- Support inventory management and stock control.
- Coach and encourage participants through positive role modelling.
- Help create a welcoming café environment where both customers and participants feel valued.
- Work collaboratively with the Restaurant Lead and Food Prep team to ensure smooth daily operations.
What We're Looking For
We're searching for someone who has:
- Proven experience as a Barista in a busy café environment.
- Advanced knowledge of espresso extraction, grinder calibration, milk texturing, workflow, and beverage presentation.
- Experience opening and closing a commercial café.
- A genuine passion for specialty coffee and hospitality.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- A calm, professional approach during busy service periods.
- Exceptional attention to detail.
- Pride in producing consistently high-quality work.
- A positive attitude and willingness to support the success of others.
- Full availability and flexibility to work mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, and statutory holidays as the café continues to grow.
These Would Be Considered an Asset
- Specialty coffee experience.
- Latte art skills.
- Food Safe Certification.
- First Aid Certification.
- Experience mentoring or supporting new team members.
- Experience working in high-volume hospitality environments.
Why Join Poppy's?
Joining Poppy's means becoming part of something from the very beginning.
You'll help shape the culture, standards, and reputation of a café that believes hospitality can genuinely change lives.
We offer:
- Competitive wages based on experience.
- Opportunities for professional growth and development.
- A supportive and collaborative workplace.
- The opportunity to help build a brand-new café from the ground up.
- Meaningful work where your skills will make a lasting impact on both customers and participants.
Ready to Join Us?
If you're passionate about coffee, committed to exceptional hospitality, and excited by the opportunity to help build something special, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and help us create a café that people choose for its quality and remember for its warmth.
Pay: $15.00-$26.06 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee assistance program
Application question(s):
- 1. How many years of commercial barista experience do you have?
Less than 1 year
1–2 years
3–5 years
5+ years
- Which of the following best describes your experience? (Select all that apply.)
☐ Dialling in espresso
☐ Milk texturing and latte art
☐ Opening a café independently
☐ Closing a café independently
☐ Cash handling
☐ Inventory and stock management
☐ Training new staff
☐ Specialty coffee
- 3. Are you available to work a flexible schedule, including mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends and statutory holidays as business needs evolve?
○ Yes
○ No
- 4. This role involves mentoring participants while maintaining exceptional café standards. Tell us about a time you helped someone learn a new skill while still delivering great customer service.
(Short written response)
This question will tell you everything about their communication style, patience, and whether they actually enjoy helping others.
- 5. What excites you most about joining Poppy's Café?
Work Location: In person
