Job Details

Position

Shift Lead

Classification

Non-Exempt

Reports To

General Manager

Position Summary

The Shift Lead is responsible for assisting the store manager in leading the Baristas to deliver an exceptional experience to every customer in our retail cafés, including providing the utmost in hospitality and kindness, consistent high‑quality beverages, and specialty coffee knowledge. You are responsible for learning operations and leading the team in the absence of the General Manager. The role requires that you act with integrity and respect, promote an accessible, safe, clean, and healthy work environment, act fiscally responsible, produce quality work, and be ethical and passionate about coffee.

Key Responsibilities

• Share passion for coffee and knowledge of specialty coffee with customers and employees
• Lead the team in preparing and serving the highest quality handcrafted beverages
• Provide regular coaching and feedback to team members on drink quality
• Lead the team in sharing product knowledge
• Plan and execute the deployment of staff
• Remain calm, professional, patient, kind, and productive in all situations
• Lead and help with store cleaning, stocking, and organizing
• Ensure and uphold store cleanliness, organization, and food safety
• Act responsibly in protecting the store assets and facilities by ensuring compliance with Equator Coffees policies and procedures
• Communicate efficiently with the Store Manager on concerns such as employee engagement, work performance, customer feedback, and areas to improve
• Work with the Store Manager to perform inventory control tasks
• Serve as an ideal model for teamwork
• Make decisions in the best interest of the customer and problem‑solve in the absence of the manager
• Contribute to store goals for achieving sales and improving profits
• Be responsible for opening and closing of the café
• Demonstrate respect, integrity, honesty, and knowledge to promote the culture, values, and mission of Equator Coffees

Qualifications and Requirements

• Kind, welcoming, and patient even amid multi‑tasking
• Coffee experience preferred
• Retail and/or customer service experience required
• Demonstrates a passion for coffee and tea
• Able to make customers the priority
• Provide ongoing positive and constructive feedback with ease
• Curious to learn and gain knowledge and apply it to daily interactions
• Team player
• Capability to interface and maintain effective relationships with co‑workers and customers
• Cash handling skills
• Occasional lifting or moving up to 25 pounds
• Work more than 40 hours per week may be required to perform essential duties
• High School Diploma or GED
• Work agreed‑upon full‑time or part‑time hours that include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays
• Maintain a current state‑issued Food Handler Card
• Flexibility to work a variable schedule including early mornings, weekends, and holidays

Compensation

Competitive hourly wage.

• Commuter Benefits – pre‑tax parking and transit.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – physical and mental health, financial and legal coaching available at no cost to the employee.
• Free mental health app subscription.
• Employee discount on merchandise, coffee gear, and at Equator cafés.
• Continuing coffee education classes.
• Free coffee.
• Paid Time Off for voting on Election Day.
• After 60 days: Healthcare benefits (full‑time employees working over 30 hours per week).
• After 90 days: Holiday Pay (8 Equator‑observed holidays per year).
• After 90 days: Paid Time Off with tenured increases for full‑time employees.
• After 90 days: 1 paid volunteer day per year.
• After 6 months: 401(k) with up to a 4% company match on employee contributions.

Additional Information

Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

We'd love for you to use the video answer feature for our screening questions! It's a great way for us to get a better sense of your experience and how comfortable you are discussing your skills. Plus, it helps us see your personality and passion for the role!

This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. Job responsibilities can change according to the operational needs of the business. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant.

Equator Coffees is an equal‑opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, and discharge will be based on competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Part‑time

Job Function

Management and Manufacturing

Industries

Food and Beverage Services