Head Barista

About Fairmont Bab Al Bahr

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr is a luxurious 5-star resort located on Abu Dhabi Creek, offering breathtaking views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's white-marble minarets. The property features 366 elegant rooms, suites, and a villa, catering to both business and leisure travelers. Guests can enjoy exclusive amenities including a private beach, swimming pool, meeting spaces, and a grand ballroom suitable for high-profile events.

Role Overview

The Head Barista is entrusted with the leadership and management of all coffee operations across multiple venues in the hotel, including the café, lobby lounge, and specialty coffee points. This position emphasizes delivering high-end beverage quality, exemplary customer service, and fostering team effectiveness within the framework of luxury hospitality standards. The role also involves innovating coffee menus, coaching staff, and maintaining operational excellence to shape remarkable guest experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily coffee service operations across all hotel outlets serving coffee and related beverages.
• Guarantee uniformity in the crafting and presentation of specialty coffees, teas, and other drinks aligned with brand guidelines.
• Regularly calibrate espresso machines and grinders to achieve peak extraction and consistency.
• Implement routine quality inspections for coffee beans, milk, syrups, and additional ingredients.
• Create and update standard recipes and procedures for beverage preparation.
• Assist in launching seasonal beverage offerings and specialty coffee initiatives.
• Provide leadership and motivation to the barista team, arranging shift briefings, assigning tasks, and ensuring operational flow.
• Handle recruitment, training, mentoring, and coaching of staff focused on barista skills, customer interaction, upselling, and luxury service benchmarks.
• Monitor and provide performance feedback to encourage continuous skill progression.
• Encourage a positive and collaborative workplace culture to sustain high performance.
• Deliver attentive, personalized service tailored to all guests, including VIPs.
• Establish rapport with regular customers, anticipating their preferences and ensuring memorable experiences.
• Professionally manage customer feedback, special requests, and concerns.
• Promote coffee education covering origins, brewing methods, and taste profiles when appropriate.
• Maintain service levels that reflect the hotel’s prestigious brand identity.
• Oversee inventory management of coffee, tea, dairy, syrups, and related supplies, including stock tracking and ordering.
• Minimize waste and optimize costs through effective stock controls.
• Ensure proper storage practices and manage shelf life of all products.
• Collaborate with suppliers to secure premium quality products and consistent availability.
• Ensure coffee equipment and tools are well-maintained, scheduling preventive maintenance as needed.
• Train staff in proper operation and cleaning of coffee machines and accessories.
• Report equipment issues timely and coordinate repairs.
• Comply with food safety and hygiene standards, including HACCP guidelines and internal policies.
• Maintain cleanliness across all beverage preparation and service areas.
• Enforce workplace safety, reporting hazards immediately.
• Keep accurate records of hygiene and operational practices.

Candidate Profile

• Possess 3 to 5 years of barista experience within luxury hotels, specialty coffee shops, or premium cafes.
• Have at least 2 years’ proven leadership experience managing barista teams.
• Well-versed in specialty coffee programs, including espresso beverages and alternative brew techniques.
• Exposure to luxury hospitality environments is strongly preferred.