Join Our Team

Opening position

Lead Barista & Service Specialist (Opening Team)

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Location: Holborn/Clerkenwell, WC1X, London

Pay: £13-£15 per hour (dependent on experience) + 100% of voluntary tips. Note: We believe in price transparency and do not add an automatic service charge to our customers' bills. 100% of all voluntary tips go directly to the front and back of house teams.

Hours: Full-time (45hrs/week. We aim for a consistent 5-day-on, 2-day-off rota to support your work-life balance), part-time also available (Must include weekends)

Contract: Fixed-Term (12–24 months)

Start: February 2026

About Us

We are an independent cafe transitioning from a successful online brand to our first physical home at Postmark. We specialize in a unique pairing: traditional Chinese pastries and specialty tea/coffee. We are building a space that values quality, cultural storytelling, and an engaging and welcoming atmosphere. Our products are premium and niche, so we strive to impress our customers, and face into seasonal peaks, like the Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival

The Role: Join Our Opening Team

We are looking for an experienced Barista and Service Specialist to be a key member of our launch team. Because this is a new shop, you won’t just be “covering a shift.” You will be a pivotal early hire, helping the founders establish workflows, refine the menu, and set the service culture from day one.

This role is for someone who enjoys the excitement of a new opening and has the ambition to shape our new café.

Key Responsibilities

  • Specialty Coffee & Service: Prepare espresso-based drinks to a high standard. You will manage the coffee workflow, maintaining consistency and quality during busy periods.

  • Product Storytelling: Learn the history and flavors of our Chinese pastries to confidently guide customers through our unique menu.

  • Ownership of Front-of-Store: Work to maintain your working area and the front-of-store

  • Operational Input: Work directly with the founders to "stress-test" the shop layout, suggest improvements to the POS/workflow, and help create opening/closing checklists.

  • Brand Ambassadorship: As the face of our first shop, you will help build our local "regulars" and ensure every guest feels welcomed.

  • Growth: Help mentor and train junior staff as the team expands in the coming months.

What We’re Looking For

  • 2+ years of experience in a specialty coffee or cafe environment.

  • Technical Proficiency: Confident with espresso extraction, milk texturing, and latte art.

  • Adaptability: You stay calm during the "teething problems" of a new opening and are a natural problem-solver.

  • Cultural Curiosity: You are excited to learn about Chinese pastry traditions and share that passion with our customers.

  • Reliability: You are punctual, organized, and take pride in maintaining a clean, professional workspace.

What We Offer

  • Career Progression: As a member of the opening team, you will be first in line for Head Barista or Management roles as we grow.

  • Real Influence: Your feedback on operations, beans, or milk suppliers will be taken seriously—no corporate red tape.

  • Supportive Environment: Work directly with the founders in a creative, respectful, and ambitious setting.

A Note on the "New Shop" Journey

The first few months of a new cafe involve constant learning and adjustment. We are looking for a partner in this process—someone who sees a "work-in-progress" as an opportunity to make their mark rather than a challenge.