The world of specialty coffee is rich with opportunity—but also full of job titles that can be confusing or inconsistent depending on the café or region. If you’re trying to build a long-term career in coffee, it’s important to understand what each role typically involves, what skills are expected, and how to grow from one to the next.
This guide breaks down the most common job titles in the café world—from entry-level to leadership—so you can chart your path, prepare for your next promotion, or simply gain clarity about where you stand and where you’re headed.
Why Understanding Titles Matters
While titles aren’t everything, they carry weight in:
- Resumes and job applications
- Team dynamics and communication
- Pay structure and responsibilities
- Career goal setting and development
When you understand the expectations and progression opportunities behind each title, it’s easier to grow intentionally, prepare properly, and advocate for your value.
1. Barista
Core Responsibilities
The barista is the front-line coffee professional. They’re responsible for preparing drinks, interacting with customers, maintaining cleanliness, and supporting the café’s service flow.
Typical duties:
- Pulling espresso shots and adjusting grind
- Steaming and texturing milk
- Making filter coffee (batch or manual)
- Operating the POS/register
- Engaging with customers
- Cleaning equipment and workstations
- Restocking and general sidework
Skills Needed
- Basic espresso and milk technique
- Ability to follow recipes and SOPs
- Good time management
- Positive attitude and customer service skills
- Willingness to learn and take feedback
Growth Tip
Start refining your sensory skills, consistency, and workflow speed. Take initiative to help train new hires or take on small responsibilities like closing checklists.
2. Lead Barista
Core Responsibilities
The lead barista supports the head barista or manager by ensuring consistent drink quality, guiding the team during shifts, and acting as a role model on the floor.
Typical duties:
- Opening and closing leadership
- Helping train new staff
- Troubleshooting espresso issues
- Delegating tasks and maintaining pace
- Giving informal feedback to coworkers
- Communicating with management when issues arise
Skills Needed
- Strong technical execution
- Solid workflow and efficiency
- Positive and constructive communication
- Reliability and accountability
- Ability to lead by example
Growth Tip
Ask your manager for feedback on your leadership and teaching ability. Practice guiding others calmly and supportively during rushes.
3. Head Barista
Core Responsibilities
A head barista is responsible for upholding coffee quality and bar operations across the café. They often supervise all baristas, lead recipe development, and work closely with managers or roasters.
Typical duties:
- Managing daily espresso calibration
- Overseeing bar cleanliness and maintenance
- Training and assessing barista skills
- Maintaining consistency across shifts
- Communicating with suppliers or roasters
- Supporting hiring or training decisions
- Managing stock and inventory related to bar operations
Skills Needed
- Deep technical and sensory knowledge
- Confidence with dialing in and troubleshooting
- Leadership and conflict resolution
- Organization and time management
- Ability to coach, not just critique
Growth Tip
Document your workflows, systems, and training strategies. Create resources (like checklists or training guides) to improve team operations.
4. Coffee Trainer (In-House or External)
Core Responsibilities
A coffee trainer educates new hires and existing staff on technical skills, customer service, and coffee knowledge. Some trainers are in-house at cafés, while others work for roasteries or as freelancers.
Typical duties:
- Designing and leading training sessions
- Creating manuals, guides, or SOPs
- Conducting sensory development activities
- Assessing and certifying baristas’ skills
- Supporting onboarding and workflow coaching
- Hosting workshops or cuppings
- Keeping the team aligned with café or brand standards
Skills Needed
- Advanced communication and teaching ability
- Knowledge of brewing, espresso, milk, and sensory skills
- Strong organization and documentation habits
- Patience and adaptability
- Up-to-date knowledge of industry standards (SCA, etc.)
Growth Tip
Start mentoring junior baristas, create training content, and attend public cuppings or brewing classes. Build a portfolio of your education work.
5. Shift Supervisor / Floor Lead
Core Responsibilities
This role blends barista work with shift-level management. The shift supervisor keeps the café running smoothly during their designated hours, handling both customer service and team direction.
Typical duties:
- Managing shift transitions
- Assigning roles (bar, register, dish)
- Handling customer complaints or special requests
- Counting the till or closing sales
- Leading by example during busy hours
- Supporting the manager with reporting or checklists
Skills Needed
- High emotional intelligence
- Conflict management
- Leadership without micromanaging
- Knowledge of café policies and procedures
- Calm, consistent energy under pressure
Growth Tip
Practice balancing leadership and humility. Learn the basics of café logistics (labor cost, waste tracking, opening/closing processes).
6. Assistant Manager / Café Supervisor
Core Responsibilities
The assistant manager oversees café operations when the manager isn’t present and supports with business logistics, HR coordination, and higher-level problem solving.
Typical duties:
- Staff scheduling and attendance tracking
- Ordering supplies and managing vendor relationships
- Interviewing and onboarding new hires
- Supporting event planning or seasonal menus
- Handling customer escalations
- Managing daily reports and operations dashboards
Skills Needed
- Strong understanding of the café’s business model
- Operational awareness (COGS, labor %)
- Leadership across departments
- Hiring and people management
- Communication with upper management or owners
Growth Tip
Get involved in inventory and scheduling. Learn to read basic financial reports. Observe how your manager delegates and resolves issues.
7. Café Manager / General Manager
Core Responsibilities
The café manager is the ultimate decision-maker on-site, balancing customer experience, staff development, and business performance.
Typical duties:
- Budgeting and financial reporting
- Hiring, firing, and HR coordination
- Staff training and culture building
- Creating systems for service and consistency
- Representing the café in the community or online
- Ensuring compliance (health, safety, legal)
- Meeting sales and performance goals
Skills Needed
- Leadership and long-term thinking
- Strong administrative ability
- Business literacy (margin, profit, labor cost)
- Marketing and customer engagement insight
- Vision and adaptability
Growth Tip
Invest in learning about small business operations. Study branding, cost control, and leadership psychology.
Other Emerging or Related Titles
Brand Ambassador
Represents a coffee brand at events, online, or in wholesale accounts. Combines marketing and barista knowledge.
Coffee Educator
Focuses on public classes, certifications, and specialty training. Often works with roasters or education centers.
Green Buyer / Roastery Support
Involves sourcing, quality control, and logistical support for roasting operations. Requires cupping and origin knowledge.
Content Creator or Coffee Influencer
Builds a digital audience through videos, blogs, or reviews. Often partners with brands or creates educational content.
Final Thoughts: Your Title Is Just the Beginning
Job titles can help define roles—but they don’t define your worth or potential. What matters most is how you show up, learn, lead, and grow in any position.
If you’re aiming for a new title, ask yourself:
- What are the actual responsibilities I want to take on?
- What skills do I need to develop first?
- Who can I learn from within my current café or network?
Then start working toward it—because the path to leadership or specialization often starts by mastering where you are right now.
Passionate about coffee, business, and high-quality content, this writer is dedicated to helping new entrepreneurs and coffee lovers thrive in the world of coffee. With experience in branding, customer service, and coffee culture, their articles blend practical advice, inspiration, and strategy for anyone looking to turn their passion into a successful venture.