At Origin, coffee is never just coffee. It’s craft. It’s connection. It’s community.

Now we’re looking for a Head Barista to lead the bar at our Southwark café. Someone who brings energy, precision and a deep love for coffee, people and hospitality.

This is a role for someone who leads from the front and is part quality controller, part coach, and part culture carrier. You’ll own the standard, guide your team, and create a customer experience that feels just as good as it tastes.

About the Role

As Head Barista, you’ll be a key part of the café leadership team. Working alongside the General Manager and Education Team, you’ll lead the barista team to deliver consistently exceptional coffee and outstanding service, every time.

You’ll shape recipes, dial in daily, and keep our coffee quality at the highest level. You’ll also bring the Origin brand to life on the floor, hosting cuppings, leading tastings, supporting events, and creating a space that feels like Origin through and through.

What You’ll Do

Coffee Quality

• Create and manage espresso and filter recipes
• Brew across multiple methods to exceptional standards
• Maintain consistency and quality throughout service

Customer Experience

• Lead service with confidence, warmth and knowledge
• Personalise recommendations and connect with customers - they're loyal and want to get to know you, quickly! 
• Set the tone for hospitality and faultless customer service

Equipment & Operations

• Operate and maintain high-spec equipment (La Marzocco, Mahlkönig, etc.)
• Oversee and uphold café cleanliness, calm and flow
• Monitor stock levels and manage reordering

Team Development

• Train and mentor baristas on and off the bar
• Collaborate with the Education Team on development
• Support learning through cuppings, feedback and daily coaching

Brand & Community

• Be a proud ambassador for Origin on the bar and beyond
• Lead tastings, cuppings and industry events
• Foster a positive, inclusive and values-led culture.

Who You Are

You’re a barista with leadership energy, calm, capable and committed to excellence. You care about quality, culture and service in equal measure. You lift the standard, raise the bar, and bring people with you.

You’re confident creating recipes, training teams and interacting with customers, but always open, grounded and team-first. You’ve got great taste, great vibes and a drive to keep growing.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Proven experience in speciality coffee
• Confident in brewing, recipe building and quality control
• Skilled in coaching, training and team development
• Strong customer service and upselling ability
• Highly organised, adaptable and calm under pressure
• Comfortable managing café operations and stock

Desirable

• Deep knowledge of coffee science and trends
• Experience hosting tastings, cuppings or events
• Additional languages
• Passion for sharing knowledge and building community.

Values & Mindset

At Origin, our values show up in everything we do. We’re looking for someone who:

• You take pride in the details, seek feedback, and are always learning.
• You support your team, give honest feedback, and help others thrive.
• You create space for belonging and bring people together through coffee.

What You’ll Get From Us

We believe in supporting the people who make Origin what it is. When you join the team, you’ll get:

• Fair pay, reviewed annually
• Coffee training & development – including cuppings, SCA pathways, and competition support
• Access to Origin events – producer talks, community sessions, industry panels
• Personal development – career growth that fits your goals
• Wellbeing support – free therapy, mental health first aiders, a culture of care
• Inclusive, values-led culture – where you can be yourself, belong, and do great work
• And of course…we’re bias, but the best coffee in the UK, every single day.

Everyone is Welcome

We believe different perspectives make better coffee — and better teams.

Whatever your background, identity or experience, we’d love to hear from you. Even if you don’t tick every box, your unique point of view might be exactly what we’re looking for.