Lead Barista (Cafe Captain) Thursday Boot Company Washington, DC Job Details Full-time $25 - $28 an hour 19 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Vision insurance Employee discount Qualifications Customer communication Coffee shop experience Full Job Description We are launching a new concept store that combines our retail experience with an in-store Thursday Cafe™. This location represents an evolution of the brand, bringing together product, service, and hospitality in a more immersive environment that celebrates fine craftsmanship in all its forms. Role Description Our Cafe Captain plays a key role in bringing our cafe experience to life within the Thursday retail environment. As part of our first in-store coffee concept, you'll help create a warm, memorable experience that brings together quality coffee, hospitality, and the energy of our retail space. In this role, you are responsible for the day-to-day cafe execution—maintaining flow, consistency, and standards during your shifts while supporting a seamless customer experience across both cafe and retail. You lead by example on the floor, delivering service rooted in hospitality while ensuring beverages are prepared with consistency, care, and attention to detail. You combine strong people skills with a commitment to craft—creating a welcoming environment, building customer connections, and ensuring every drink meets our exacting standards. This is a unique opportunity to help shape how coffee fits into the Thursday retail experience. You will share feedback and observations that help improve the cafe over time while keeping the station clean, organized, and ready for service. What You'll Do Customer Experience & Service Set the tone for cafe service by delivering efficient, personalized interactions rooted in hospitality Ensure customers receive a consistent, high-quality experience across both cafe and retail Create service moments that customers remember and want to share Maintain strong flow between cafe and retail during peak periods Work with retail team members to create a smooth handoff between cafe and store experiences Cafe Execution & Floor Leadership Lead the day-to-day cafe operation during your shifts, ensuring strong execution, flow, and consistency Direct baristas during service, adjusting priorities to maintain speed, quality, and organization Identify and address gaps in service, quality, or workflow in real time Ensure cafe standards are consistently met across beverage quality, cleanliness, and presentation Communicate performance, issues, and opportunities clearly to store leadership Coffee Preparation & Service Prepare espresso-based beverages and other drinks with consistency and extreme attention to detail Operate and maintain coffee equipment, including espresso machines and grinders Ensure beverage quality, presentation, and accuracy meet brand standards Work efficiently during high-volume periods while maintaining quality and organization Maintain a clean, organized, and well-stocked coffee station at all times Store & Cafe Operations Execute daily cafe operations and support shared store routines as needed Keep cafe presentation standards high, including cleanliness and organization Ensure the cafe remains clean, stocked, and customer-ready throughout the day Support cafe ordering and inventory management by helping track product usage, monitoring stock levels, and ensuring key coffee and cafe supplies remain available Support cafe scheduling by helping ensure adequate coverage, strong shift alignment, and readiness for peak periods Food & Beverage Safety & Compliance Uphold all food safety, sanitation, and hygiene standards in accordance with local health regulations Ensure proper handling, storage, and labeling of all ingredients and products Maintain a clean and organized café environment across all preparation areas and equipment Complete required food safety training and certifications as applicable Support readiness for health inspections by consistently following cleaning, labeling, storage, and safety routines What You Bring 2+ years of cafe or coffee experience required, with strong fundamentals in beverage preparation and workflow Demonstrated ability to lead execution and maintain standards in a fast-paced environment Strong interpersonal and communication skills Ability to stay organized, focused, and calm under pressure Reliability, accountability, and strong work ethic Who You Are Passionate about coffee and committed to high standards in both craft and service A strong team player who leads by example and elevates those around you Proactive, adaptable, and solutions-oriented Thrives in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment Detail-oriented and committed to maintaining high standards Available to work weekends, evenings, and holidays What You'll Gain Hands-on experience in customer service and beverage preparation Exposure to retail operations and cafe workflows Development in coffee craft, service, efficiency, and hospitality A strong foundation for growth into retail or cafe management roles What We Offer Competitive compensation Part-time and full-time opportunities Benefits for eligible employees Free product and employee discounts Growth opportunities within a fast-growing brand Who We Are Thursday Boot Company was born out of frustration with the footwear industry—where quality, durability, and honest pricing were often overlooked.

Our mission is simple:

Build Things That Last. After a decade selling online, we're expanding our retail footprint nationwide to extend our commitment to high-quality products, ethical sourcing, and exceptional customer experiences. As we continue to expand, we're looking for driven individuals to grow with us and help shape the future of our retail experience. To learn more, visit: https://thursdayboots.com/pages/our-story

Additional Requirements:

Must be at least 18 years of age Ability to lift and move at least 50 lbs. Ability to bend, squat, twist, reach and use a step stool and/or ladder Ability to stand and/or walk for 8+ hours per shift Ability to work on-site 100% of the time

Pay:

$25.00 - $28.00 per hour Expected hours: 32.0 - 40.0 per week

Benefits:

Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person