Looking to hire a Barista? Find a qualified professional With Brigad App

Discover the ins and outs of hiring a barista for your coffee shop or café. Understand the essential skills, experience, and roles that make a top-notch barista. Explore various job positions, potential salaries, and the on-demand availability of professionals across the UK. Learn about the benefits and costs of hiring a barista and how to ensure you find the best fit for your establishment.

Exploring the Role and Responsibilities of a Barista

A barista's role extends far beyond simply serving coffee. They are front-line ambassadors of a café's brand and culture, required to provide professional and friendly service. Tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Preparing and serving beverages: This involves not only traditional coffees but also specialty beverages, teas, and sometimes even food.
• Customer interaction: Baristas need to be able to take orders, answer customer queries, and accept payments efficiently.
• Cleanliness and maintenance: It's crucial to keep work areas, seating areas, and tools clean and sanitized.
• Product knowledge: A good barista should possess an expert understanding of coffee beans and brewing methods.

In their role, baristas significantly contribute to the café's atmosphere, making it vibrant and inviting. This involves creating a warm and welcoming environment for all customers.

Skills and Training Required for Becoming a Barista

To excel as a barista, an individual needs to possess a unique set of skills and undergo specific training. Key skills include:

• Interpersonal Skills: A barista interacts with customers regularly, making good communication and customer service skills essential.
• Attention to Detail: Precision in measuring ingredients, recognising flavours, and presenting beverages is key.
• Physical Stamina: Baristas often work long shifts, requiring physical resilience.
• Creativity: This trait is beneficial for crafting unique beverages and enhancing presentation.

As for training, no specific qualification is mandatory to become a barista. However, potential employers often value candidates with formal barista training, as it shows dedication to the profession. This training typically involves learning about different coffee types, brewing methods, and machine operation. Some baristas may also choose to obtain certification from recognized coffee associations to further enhance their credentials.

Traditional Recruitment Methods

The hospitality industry, particularly coffee shops and cafes in the UK, relies heavily on finding skilled baristas to cater to the country's strong coffee culture. Traditional recruitment methods have long been the backbone of hiring in this sector. However, evolving industry needs and the advent of digital platforms are highlighting the limitations of these conventional approaches.

Job Advertisements

Job advertisements in newspapers and industry magazines were once the go-to for employers. With the rise of the internet, online job boards and social media platforms have become popular avenues. Despite their wide reach, these methods often lead to a high volume of applications, necessitating extensive filtering.

Cons:

• Limited Targeting: While job advertisements can reach a wide audience, they may not effectively target the specific demographic skilled in barista work, leading to a high volume of unqualified applicants.
• Cost: Placing ads in popular or specialist publications and online job boards can be expensive, especially for small cafes or independent coffee shops with limited budgets.
• Time-Consumption: Crafting effective advertisements, managing postings across multiple platforms, and then sorting through applications is time-consuming.

Walk-In Interviews

Walk-in interviews offer a direct approach to hiring, allowing employers to meet candidates face-to-face. While they provide immediate insights into a candidate's personality and presentation, they can be unpredictable and time-consuming.

Cons:

• Unpredictability: Relying on walk-in interviews can lead to periods of low applicant turnout, especially if not well-publicized or if potential candidates prefer applying online.
• Quality of Candidates: This method might attract more spontaneous applicants who may not necessarily have the desired experience or skills.
• Resource Intensive: Walk-in interviews require staff to be available to conduct interviews, which can disrupt daily operations, particularly in a busy coffee shop environment.

Referrals

Employee referral programs leverage existing staff networks to find new hires. This method can speed up the hiring process and improve the quality of candidates but may limit the diversity of applicants.

Cons:

• Limited Reach: Employee referral programs can limit the pool of potential candidates to the social and professional networks of current employees, potentially missing out on a wider talent pool.
• Bias: There's a risk of creating a homogeneous workforce, as employees might refer candidates with similar backgrounds or perspectives, reducing diversity.
• Dependence on Existing Networks: This method's success heavily relies on the size and quality of your employees' networks, which can vary greatly.

Recruitment Agencies

Specialized hospitality recruitment agencies offer expertise in finding suitable candidates but at a significant cost. While they can relieve employers of the recruitment burden, reliance on agencies may reduce direct control over the hiring process.

Cons:

• Cost: Using recruitment agencies can be one of the most expensive methods, with fees often based on a percentage of the hired candidate's salary.
• Loss of Personal Touch: Employers may feel disconnected from the recruitment process, as agencies handle most aspects of candidate selection, potentially leading to a less personalized fit.
• Mismatched Expectations: There's always a risk that the agency may not fully understand the specific needs and culture of your coffee shop, leading to candidates who might not be the right fit.

Understanding the Pay Scale and Salary of a Barista in London

In London, the pay scale for baristas varies significantly based on factors such as experience, skills, and the café's location. Hourly wages are commonly used in this field, with the average being reported at around £11.38. However, it's not uncommon to see rates as low as £7 or as high as £14, particularly for more experienced or specialized roles.

Bonuses and additional cash compensations, although not a standard part of a barista's remuneration, can substantially augment their income. On the lower end, bonuses may range from £0 - £325, whereas additional cash compensation can range from a few thousand to over £50,000 annually.

When considering a salary on an annual basis, the range is quite broad. Junior baristas or those new to the industry might expect a starting salary around £19,760, while experienced baristas can command salaries up to £76,247. This considerable range indicates the potential for growth and advancement in the profession.

Finally, it's important to note that these figures can fluctuate based on the café's size, the volume of business, and the specific duties assigned to the barista. For instance, a barista-manager role might command a higher salary due to the added responsibilities.

Looking to hire a Barista for your coffee shop or cafe ?

Are you looking to hire a Barista for your coffee shop, cafe, restaurant, event, venue, or hotel food & beverage (F&B) operation? Finding a reliable Barista can be time-consuming and talent is harder to find in the industry now.

If you have not had much luck with job boards or the use of temp agencies, and candidates in the hospitality and catering sector are not rushing in, lack motivation, or have not got the experience or skills you are looking for, Brigad is here to provide a solution.

Publish short-term work offers on the Brigad app or website to interested independent freelance Baristas and other hospitality professionals, who are ready to work and able to pick up short-term shifts and fill gaps in your staffing rota.

With the Brigad business app (available for download via the App Store or Google Play), you can be easily connected with the Barista your business needs.

The On-Demand Job Market for Baristas

The on-demand job market for baristas offers flexibility and access to a wide range of opportunities. Due to the nature of the café industry, there is a consistent need for skilled baristas, and on-demand platforms are filling this gap. These platforms allow café owners to book experienced baristas for one-off shifts or longer-term engagements.

In this model, café owners can review profiles, check availability, and book a barista within minutes. Freelance baristas benefit from the flexibility to pick the shifts that suit them best. With competitive pay rates and the opportunity to work in various environments, the on-demand job market is an attractive option for many baristas.

The demand isn't limited to the UK alone. There's a global need for skilled baristas, particularly in areas with a bustling coffee culture. The trend towards specialty coffee and the growth of café culture worldwide means that the demand for experienced baristas is on the rise.

The on-demand job market also allows for short-notice bookings, which can be a lifesaver for café owners facing unexpected staffing issues. The ability to quickly secure a skilled professional ensures the café can continue to operate smoothly.

To start with, simply download the Brigad Business app via the App Store or Google Play. Create an account and you can get started. 

Sign-up for free and post a mission corresponding to your needs for a Barista in under 3 minutes. Chances are that your mission will be accepted within a matter of hours by a qualified Barista. 

How to use Brigad to hire a Barista?

Restaurant, pub, bar, café, and hotel food & beverage (F&B) managers, owners, or operators looking to hire  independent Baristas or other hospitality professionals can easily create a mission using the Brigad app or website. Simply select the dates and times, hours, days needed, the role needed, and add a description that details the requirements and expectations.

Your job offer, also known as a “mission” (the short or long-term shift for which you need filled), will be sent to only the most relevant, qualified, and fully vetted talents who meet your criteria. Once one of them accepts the mission, you will be notified and put in contact.

The Barista will arrive on the day of the mission ready to work, as they will have received all the necessary information from your mission description to successfully complete the mission.

This means you can be confident in finding the right Barista to fulfill your business's operational needs.

No more wasting time selecting a profile from dozens, or even hundreds of options. Post a new mission on Brigad in less than 3 minutes, then just sit back and let the  algorithm handle the rest. Only the most relevant talents will receive your mission proposition, and the most motivated Barista will be the one to accept it.

Invoices are generated and payments are made automatically, simplifying the process for your business or organisation's finance team. This allows you to focus on running your busy restaurant, pub, bar, café, or hotel food & beverage (F&B) operation.

Need to hire a Barista in a hurry? 

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Post a mission on the Brigad business app in less than 3 minutes. Two thirds of missions are accepted in under 2 hours. Fill your staffing rotas efficiently, even in urgent, time-sensitive situations. Problem solved.

Benefits of working with Brigad when looking to hire a Barista

Brigad provides a range of benefits for establishments like restaurants, pubs, bars, cafes, and hotels, as well as catering venues and events in London, Birmingham, and Manchester, by facilitating connections with skilled Baristas and other hospitality professionals.

A strict vetting process

The hospitality industry is too busy and fast-paced for people who aren’t serious and committed to the work. After a rigorous vetting process by our team of experts, only the most qualified Baristas are offered access to the Brigad platform. 

As an owner, operator, or manager, you might worry about verifying the paperwork of the Barista who is coming to work for you. However, you don’t need to worry about any of that, as we handle all checks for you.

All profiles on the Brigad platform undergo a strict two-step vetting process, executed by both the app and the Brigad team. This thorough verification ensures you work with only the best independent, self-employed (inside HMRC IR35), or freelance Baristas and other hospitality professionals. 

The backgrounds, IDs, employment history, and training of all Baristas are verified to ensure they are reliable and experts in their field before they’re able to accept any missions on the Brigad app. This way, you can be 100% confident that the person is who they say they are and have a legal right to live and work in the UK.

Essential Soft Skills of Baristas in the Brigad Community

• Communication Skills: Ability to clearly convey information and listen well, both with customers and colleagues.
• Customer Service: A strong focus on customer satisfaction, being polite, attentive, and always aiming to meet the needs of customers.
• Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with other staff members to ensure a smooth operation and a positive work environment.
• Adaptability: The ability to adjust quickly to changing work conditions, customer needs, and new procedures.
• Problem-Solving: Being able to effectively resolve issues that arise, whether it’s a customer complaint or a malfunctioning espresso machine.
• Attention to Detail: Ensuring that each coffee or drink is made to the establishment’s standards and recognizing the importance of presentation.
• Patience: Dealing with customer queries and complaints calmly and professionally, even during busy periods.

Only work with driven freelance professionals on Brigad

Freelance Baristas and other hospitality professionals represent their own interests and build their own network of customers, which is why they are particularly reliable and motivated. So, you don’t have to worry about last-minute surprises, like a no-show an hour before a busy restaurant opens or a wedding feast needs to be cooked.

A dedicated assistance team

A member of the account management and customer experience will be assigned to you to provide support during your first month on Brigad to make sure that you understand the features and are making the most of the platform. Should any problems arise, our  responsive Assistance Team is available seven days a week to ensure that solutions are readily available for any situation that might be encountered.

How much does it cost to hire a Barista through Brigad ?

All prices are dynamically calculated to consider tension rates, ensuring competitive pricing tailored to your specific requirements. 

The cost is determined by multiplying an hourly rate by the number of hours you need a Barista for. When you create a mission, you'll receive an instant quote. 

This is the fixed price you pay once a self-employed Barista accepts your mission, so there are no surprise costs or hidden charges.

A dynamic pricing means that costs are competitively calculated for each new mission. 

You have control over the pricing, allowing you to adjust it upwards if needed. This flexibility can enhance the likelihood of your mission being quickly accepted by talented independent hospitality and catering professionals in London and surroundings areas.