At Origin, coffee is never just coffee. It’s craft. Its connection. It’s a 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 key to 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 you’re 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.
If this sounds like you, click here to apply!
