BARISTA (EXPERIENCED) — SIPS AND SOULS CAFÉ
Sips and Souls Café | South Plainfield, NJ $16.00 to $17.00 per hour, plus tips | 18 to 32 hours per week
Where you land in that pay range depends on what you bring behind the bar.
The Work That Matters
At Sips and Souls Café, coffee is our craft, but connection is our mission. Every guest deserves to feel seen. Every cup tells a story. And every person on our team has the chance to become someone they're proud of.
We roast our own coffee here, in-house. You'll learn why a natural Ethiopian tastes like blueberry and the same bean, washed, tastes like lemon and tea. You'll discover that the same bean, extracted differently, becomes a completely different cup. You'll learn to taste, really taste, and then to share that knowledge with guests who never knew coffee could be this interesting.
Who We're Looking For
You've worked behind bar before. We're asking for at least one year as a working barista, because we want someone who already knows what a rush feels like, what a clean close looks like, and what it means to hand over a drink you're proud of. That year gets you fluent faster. It does not get you hired on its own. Who you are matters more:
Optimistically warm. You assume the best in people. Your presence makes a room feel better.
Relentlessly curious. You ask "why?" and "what if?" and you learn for the joy of learning.
Consistently thoughtful. You do the work because it matters.
Genuinely empathetic. You notice when something's off. You feel what others feel.
We're a small team, and every hire changes it. When we bring someone on, we're hiring for the people already working here as much as for the guests. If that sounds like pressure, it isn't. It's trust, and it goes both ways.
What You'll Do
Create moments, not just drinks. You'll dial in espresso each morning, adjusting grind, dose, and yield until the shot is beautifully balanced. You'll be excited when someone orders their hot latte "for here" so you can show off the new latte art design you've been practicing. And when a guest walks in, you'll have an opportunity to make a genuine connection.
Master the craft. You'll taste the difference between an under-extracted and over-extracted espresso. You'll understand what "roast development" means and why it matters. You'll collaborate with our roasting team to understand each coffee we serve, not because you'll be tested, but because each coffee has its own story that we want to share.
Own the environment. A clean café is a welcoming café. You'll take responsibility for everything from sparkling portafilters to spotless floors. You'll notice when the music is too loud or the trash needs emptying. This is craft, too.
Strengthen the team. Hospitality starts inside. You'll share what you know with newer teammates and stay open to learning from them. You'll cover shifts when a teammate is struggling. You'll celebrate their wins. You'll give honest feedback with kindness. On the best days, the bar will feel like a kitchen ensemble, everyone in sync, locked in, and completely connected.
Handle the hard moments. When something goes wrong for a guest, you'll make it right with professionalism and empathy, and you'll tell us what happened so we can fix the system, not just the symptom.
What This Becomes
We promote from within. Our leads come from our bar, and baristas who grow with us can become Lead Baristas or explore the roasting side of our operation. Some will stay for years; some will move on to pursue other dreams. Both are welcome.
What stays with you, long after you leave, is the skill of making people feel seen. That's transferable to any career, any relationship, any life.
What We Ask
- At least one year working as a barista in a coffee shop or similar setting
- Greet customers warmly, take accurate orders, and process payments efficiently
- Prepare and serve delicious coffee, tea, and a variety of hot and cold specialty drinks following recipes and quality standards
- Read and follow written recipes and instructions in English
- Support opening and closing procedures
- Monitor inventory and assist with restocking supplies
- Availability for mornings (5am/7am starts), evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays
- Physical ability to stand for long shifts; frequently lift up to 25 lbs, occasionally up to 50 lbs
- Basic math skills for transactions
- An intended commitment of at least 6 months
Helpful but not required:
- Knowledge of coffee origins and processing methods
- Basic latte art (heart, tulip, rosetta)
- Food safety certification
A Question
We've told you who we are. Now we want to know: does this feel like somewhere you belong?
This café is not for everyone, and that's on purpose. But if your answer is yes, or even "maybe, and I want to find out," we'd love to hear from you.
Apply by completing our questionnaire at https://forms.gle/qDmu7jGD2kD5d8bm6.
We can't wait to meet you.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: Sips & Souls Cafe is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need, without regard to protected characteristics as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Base Pay: $16.00 - $17.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
Work Location: In person
