Job Description
Head Barista
Department: Hospitality
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: Medlock Square
Medlock Square marks a bold new chapter in the evolution of the Etihad Campus — a vibrant, year‑round destination for culture, leisure and entertainment, set alongside two global icons: the Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City Football Club, and the landmark Co‑op Live arena.
Named after the River Medlock that runs beneath the site, the development celebrates Manchester’s industrial heritage while shaping its next era of city‑defining experiences. Manchester is known worldwide for its sport, music and entertainment — and Medlock Square will build on that legacy, creating a landmark home for exceptional shared moments and elevating the city’s position as one of Europe’s most dynamic, fast‑growing destinations.
At the heart of this new district will be an extraordinary food and beverage offer: from relaxed coffee houses and all‑day dining to flagship restaurants and premium culinary experiences. Designed to serve both everyday visitors and major event audiences, Medlock Square will deliver high‑quality hospitality all week long and across the events calendar.
About the role
As Head Barista – Blend, you will lead the coffee offer within a relaxed, quality-led café and bar concept that transitions seamlessly from day to night.
Blend is a welcoming, all-day space serving specialty coffee and artisanal pastries by day, before evolving into a laid-back bar offering curated wines and craft beers in the evening. Coffee remains at the heart of the daytime experience, and you will play a key role in ensuring it is delivered with consistency, care, and expertise.
You will be the product expert and standard bearer for all things coffee — setting quality benchmarks, training the team, and ensuring every cup meets the highest standards. Alongside this, you will support wider front-of-house operations, contributing to the overall guest experience and helping the team adapt as the venue transitions into evening service.
You will be responsible for:
Coffee Quality & Product Standards
Lead the delivery of a high-quality coffee offer with consistency and attention to detail across all service periods. Ensure all beverages are prepared to agreed recipes and presentation standards while monitoring espresso extraction, milk quality, and equipment performance. Support seasonal drinks development, product innovation, and continuous improvements to coffee quality alongside suppliers and management teams.
Service & Guest Experience
Deliver a warm, knowledgeable, and efficient guest experience while acting as a visible and hands-on presence during busy café service periods. Engage guests through strong product knowledge and passion for hospitality, maintaining speed and consistency without compromising quality. Ensure coffee bar and service areas remain clean, organised, and operationally ready at all times.
Team Leadership & Development
Support the training, coaching, and development of team members in coffee preparation, equipment use, and service standards. Help build a confident, multi-skilled, and guest-focused team culture while supporting onboarding and day-to-day guidance for new starters. Lead by example in maintaining high standards of quality, consistency, and guest interaction.
Operational Support
Support the day-to-day running of the coffee bar including opening and closing procedures, stock control, ordering support, and waste management. Ensure equipment is maintained, cleaned, and serviced appropriately while supporting wider front-of-house operations during busy periods, events, and venue activations. Assist with smooth transitions between daytime café and evening bar service where required.
Commercial Performance
Contribute to the commercial success of the café operation through strong product knowledge, suggestive selling, and promotion of seasonal beverages and offers. Support stock management processes, minimise waste, and assist with maintaining commercially efficient operations.
Compliance & Continuous Improvement
Ensure compliance with food safety, health & safety, and hygiene standards across all coffee and service areas. Maintain cleaning schedules and operational checks while promoting safe working practices at all times. Work closely with the Café & Bar Manager and wider operational teams to identify opportunities to improve workflow, beverage quality, service delivery, and the overall guest experience.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
Essential
- Previous experience working as a Barista or Senior Barista within a busy café, restaurant, or hospitality environment
- Strong knowledge of coffee preparation, espresso extraction, milk texturing, and beverage presentation standards
- Passion for coffee, hospitality, and delivering an exceptional guest experience
- Ability to work confidently in a fast-paced service environment while maintaining attention to detail and consistency
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage positively with guests and team members
- Good organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities during busy service periods
- Ability to support and guide team members while maintaining high operational standards
- Understanding of food safety, hygiene, and health & safety procedures within hospitality environments
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and event days as required
Desirable
- Previous experience in a senior barista, shift lead, or supervisory café role
- Experience working within premium hospitality, restaurants, hotels, stadiums, or multi-outlet venues
- Knowledge of coffee calibration, grinder adjustment, and equipment troubleshooting
- Experience supporting team training and onboarding within a hospitality environment
- Understanding of stock control, ordering processes, and waste management
- Interest in seasonal beverages, specialty coffee trends, and product innovation
- Food Hygiene qualification or equivalent hospitality certification
Why Join Us?
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Private Medical Insurance (Vitality) – including Virtual GP access and rewards
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Group Life Assurance – 4x salary paid to your nominated beneficiary
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Birthday Day Off – an extra day to celebrate
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Complimentary Meals on Shift – breakfast, lunch, fruit and hot drinks
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Access to discounted Tickets at Co-op Live subject to availability
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Employee Assistance Programme & Wellbeing Platform – including counselling support
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Employee Discounts Platform (Blackhawk) – cashback and savings across major retailers
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Company Pension Scheme
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Generous Holiday Allowance – plus bank holidays
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Career Development Opportunities – with progression across the campus
