Lead Barista

About Us: 

16 On Center Chicago owns and operates several live music venues, third-party production, restaurants, bars, and food halls across Chicago and New York. Join the team of one of the country's leading independent promoters.

Our most effective service to our community comes from a team with a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences. 16 On Center actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Position Summary:

As the Lead Barista at JM Bakery at Olly Olly Market, this role is responsible for overseeing daily café operations while delivering a thoughtful, high-quality guest experience. Located within Olly Olly Market, JM Bakery operates in collaboration with the broader Olly Olly team to create and execute unique beverage programs spanning coffee, non-alcoholic offerings, and alcoholic beverages. The Lead Barista sets the standard for enthusiasm, hospitality, and positive team interaction, leading by example on the floor. This role holds direct responsibility for café sales performance and consistently works to meet and exceed established sales projections, while supporting a smooth, organized, and guest-ready café environment.

Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead by example to cultivate a positive, efficient, and supportive café culture among staff
• Coach and support the team in delivering warm, consistent hospitality aligned with 16 On Center standards
• Oversee daily café operations, including working floor shifts and supporting service as needed
• Facilitate onboarding and training for new hires to ensure consistency and operational excellence
• Collaborate with the General Manager on weekly scheduling and staffing needs
• Attend and actively contribute to Front of House leadership meetings
• Manage weekly ordering of coffee, dairy, and café supplies
• Track, record, and communicate accurate monthly inventory levels
• Maintain cost controls by managing waste, monitoring comps, supporting inventory accuracy, and ensuring efficient ordering to protect Cost of Goods Sold
• Process invoices and support reconciliation through R365
• Partner with the Private Events and Catering team to support and grow café-driven revenue opportunities, including staffing and beverage service for on- and off-site events
• Oversee and support morning catering pick-ups and drop-offs within the building in coordination with the management team
• Curate and support coffee programming for monthly events and special activations
• Maintain and continuously improve café cleanliness and organizational standards, ensuring they are upheld daily by the team
• Ensure the café program reflects a strong sense of community and aligns with the broader Olly Olly Market experience

About You:

• Minimum of 1-2 years of experience in a café, coffee program, or beverage-focused hospitality environment, with prior experience in a lead, shift lead, or supervisory capacity preferred
• Brings a positive, professional, and guest-focused leadership approach to the role
• Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively lead, coach, and collaborate with teammates
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment while balancing service and leadership responsibilities
• Demonstrates organization, accountability, and attention to detail
• Comfortable standing and walking for the duration of the shift
• Able to bend, reach, twist, stoop, and use hands and arms throughout the workday
• Able to lift, carry, push, and pull items weighing up to 40 pounds