About Origin

Origin is one of Europe’s leading specialty coffee roasters. Founded 20 years ago on the principles of provenance, seasonality, and transparency, we work directly with some of the world's most exceptional coffee producers.

We are a team of award-winning coffee professionals dedicated to delivering an industry-leading specialty coffee experience across everything we do.

We’re proud to roast for many of the UK’s top independent specialty coffee shops, bakeries, hotels, and restaurants. We have thousands of at-home coffee subscribers, and eight beautiful coffee shops located across London, Cornwall, Bristol, and Edinburgh.

Origin is a certified B-Corporation and winner of The Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development.

We’ve been named ‘Europe’s Best Specialty Coffee Roaster’ at the European Coffee and Hospitality Awards for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024.

The role overview

Join the Origin team as a Head Barista and lead the creation of the most prominent coffee experience in Europe. As a pivotal member of the Origin team, you will work alongside exceptional baristas to deliver outstanding quality and unmatched service. This role is intensely customer-focused, emphasising direct interaction, relationship building, and a deep-seated passion for speciality coffee. Your commitment to excellence and ability to embody and communicate the Origin brand's values will be key in upholding and advancing our high standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Accountable for coffee quality. Craft unique recipes for both blend and single-origin coffees utilising various brewing methods such as espresso, pour-over, and batch filter.

• Elevate cafe service standards for the best customer experience. Engage customers with an informed and enthusiastic approach, making tailored recommendations to enhance their coffee experience.

• Operate and maintain high-end coffee machinery, including La Marzocco espresso machines and Mahlkonig grinders.

• Collaborate with the Education Team and General Manager to continuously maintain coffee standards and innovate. Train new staff in collaboration with the Education Team.

• Ensure the café's cleanliness throughout all operating hours.

• Oversee stock levels and coordinate reordering processes.

• Manage the café during shifts.

• Represent the Origin brand with pride and lead by example in the industry, conveying our brand's essence and values to customers and team members.

• Support taking the lead in cupping sessions and events that promote Origin’s coffee culture and education.

About you   

To be successful in this role, these are the things that matter the most:

• You excel in building community and embody the spirit of an Origin ambassador.

• You thrive under pressure and can adapt to various situations with a positive outlook.

• You pay meticulous attention to details, balancing it with practical common sense.

• While you are self-sufficient, you demonstrate the fundamental value of teamwork.

• You maintain an informal yet professional demeanour.

• You deeply understand the Origin brand and can effectively portray its values and mission in every interaction.

Skills & Qualities

• Demonstrable experience in the speciality coffee industry, with a strong grasp of diverse brewing methods.

• You're skilled at developing new recipes.

• Experienced in training and leading baristas, enhancing customer service and operational efficiency.

• Strong verbal skills to effectively convey ideas and foster a collaborative environment.

• Proficient in stock control and workflow management to optimise café operations.

Essential

• Extensive understanding of speciality coffee and brewing techniques.

• Ability to motivate and inspire team members.

• Skilled in recognising upselling opportunities to boost revenue.

• Exceptional face-to-face customer interaction skills.

• Capable of responding effectively to changing business needs.

• Highly organised and capable of managing tasks efficiently under pressure.

Desirable

• A deep understanding of coffee science and trends in the speciality coffee industry.

• Proficiency in additional languages is a plus, enhancing communication with a diverse customer base.

• Ability to creatively solve problems and innovate under pressure, enhancing the café experience for customers and team members.

• Experience in organising and leading public events, such as coffee tastings, workshops, or community gatherings, that align with the Origin brand’s mission.