Barista

We are searching for an engaging, courteous Barista who is passionate about coffee. The Barista will greet customers, answer their questions, take orders, accept payments, prepare and serve food and drinks. You will also maintain a clean and well-stocked workspace and dining area, update displays, and continuously expand your knowledge of food and beverage quality controls, preparation methods, and presentation.

To succeed as a barista, you should be committed to providing customers with excellent service. You should be positive, friendly, knowledgeable and polite.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Welcoming customers, informing them about specials or new items, answering questions, and accepting orders and payments.
• Preparing foods, such as sandwiches or baked goods, and grinding and blending coffee beans, brewing coffee and tea, and serving items to customers.
• Packaging food and beverages for sale.
• Selling coffee and tea blends and brewing equipment, highlighting the differences between items and educating customers about brewing methods.
• Cleaning, taking inventory and restocking work and dining areas, emptying trash, and sanitizing equipment and utensils.
• Learning about brewing methods, beverage blends, food preparation, and presentation techniques to improve food quality.
• Working in as part of a fun, high-energy team.
• Cooperating and communicating with all serving and kitchen staff.
• Adhering to all relevant health department rules, food safety and quality regulations.
• Handling cash, credit, and debit card transactions, ensuring charges are accurate and returning correct change to patrons, balancing the cash register.
• Able to perform high-quality work while unsupervised.
• The Barista will report directly to the F&B supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Must be able to work under the sun and heat.
• Must be able to work during cold and/or rainy weather.
• Must be able to go up and down the stairs multiple time during a shift. 

EDUCATION

High school diploma required.

WORK EXPERIENCE 

Experience in food and beverage preparation or customer service preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Training and willingness to continue learning about food and beverage preparation.
• Commitment to customer satisfaction and service excellence.
• Willingness to work as part of a high-energy, efficient team in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of English language is necessary.
• Positive, engaging personality and professional appearance.
• Basic math and computer skills, POS experience (micros preferred).
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong task and time management abilities.
• Eye for detail.
• Understanding cocktail mixing tools and techniques.
• The ability to deal with internal & external guests with a high level of professionalism, tact and diplomacy. 
• Reading and writing abilities are utilized often to answer guest’s questions regarding the menu.
• Must be able to multi-task and work in a fast paced environment.
• Critical Thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Deal with complaints and problem with a positive attitude.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Handling, carrying or lifting items weighing a minimum of 50 pounds.
• Moving around the restaurant, bar, lounge, pool area, lobby and kitchen.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stooping, kneeling, lifting, etc. for extended periods.
• Able to operate Turbo chef (hot oven).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be able to easily spark a conversation with a guest, smile often, and establish relation to get to know guests on a personal level to develop customer loyalty and achieve Guest satisfaction goal.
• Must know and perform Westin brand standards during every interactions.
• Must embrace the Company Culture and contribute to a healthy work environment by being a team player and exuding friendly demeanor/personality with co-workers and leaders.
• Must understand and care for the company asset/goods, ensuring those are utilized the right way, for the right purpose and kept on property in order to control cost and increase house profit. 
• Preferred candidates will have understanding of state and local serving guidelines. 
• Valid food handler card as required by local or state government agency is a plus.

The Sheraton Palo Alto, (a Pacific Hotel Management Hotel), functions 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. All associates must acknowledge and understand this fact and be aware that at times it may be necessary to move an associate from their accustomed shift as business dictates.