Café Experience Specialist

As a KCW, you are a true Daymaker, crafting exceptional coffee experiences while fostering genuine connections with our community. This role combines technical coffee expertise with warm hospitality to create our signature “oasis in the desert” atmosphere. About Keweenaw Coffee Works About the Company: Keweenaw Coffee Works is a high-quality small-batch specialty coffee house nestled in the Keweenaw Peninsula. Founded and run by husband-wife team, Keweenaw is built on a value for equal partnership, creative collaboration, and the joy of making and sharing the good stuff. About the Coffee: We source exceptional coffees from small artisanal farms around the world, working with suppliers who prioritize ethical practices and sustainable product. Upon arrival at our Calumet roasterie, SCA Roasters Guild-trained roaster Nate Shuttleworth and team process each green coffee in small batches to consistently bring out the unique notes of taste and texture in each variety. About Our Team: With over 30 years’ experience in the professional coffee industry, our team makes a lot more than lattes. We take pride in crafting a meaningful experience that can’t be found anywhere else in the Keweenaw. (Dare we say, the entire Upper Peninsula.) From inventing outrageous seasonal drinks to curating our Marketplace with specialty items from all over the Midwest, from helping with your café start-up (including equipment sourcing and coffee bar flow) to training your staff as rockstar baristas, our team is what turns us from just a coffee roaster into a community hub for fun, culture, and inspiration. Description As our Café Experience Specialist, you are more than a barista or a line cook — you are a dual craft professional, seamlessly moving between the coffee bar and the kitchen to bring our full café experience to life. We are starting our summer season interview process and looking for approximately 6-8 team members to fill this role for the busy summer season. This isn’t two jobs — it’s one unified craft. As a Café Experience Specialist, you become part of a new kind of hospitality role: one that values versatility, creativity, and full-spectrum café excellence. You won’t just make drinks or cook food — you’ll own the experience, from the first hello to the final bite and sip. This hybrid role is designed for individuals who thrive in both worlds: those who can dial in the perfect espresso shot and plate a beautifully crafted dish — all while creating genuine, meaningful connections with every guest. As a Daymaker, you understand that what we do is bigger than food and coffee. You help create an oasis in the desert — a space where every detail, every interaction, and every offering contributes to something memorable. This position is a true hybrid role, sharing time between front-of-house (coffee bar) and back-of-house (kitchen) operations. You will rotate between crafting exceptional beverages, preparing high-quality food, and delivering an elevated guest experience — bringing the same level of care, creativity, and precision to both spaces. Key Responsibilities Coffee Craft & Bar Experience Craft espresso beverages and manual brews to KCW standards Maintain consistency, quality, and attention to detail in every drink Dial in grinders, monitor freshness, and uphold coffee excellence Create welcoming, genuine connections with every guest Share knowledge and enthusiasm for coffee in a way that inspires Culinary Craft & Kitchen Experience Prepare menu items with precision, efficiency, and pride Execute dishes that reflect our commitment to handcrafted quality Maintain cleanliness, organization, and food safety standards Support kitchen flow during peak service times Treat every plate as part of the overall guest experience Guest Experience & Daymaker Impact Embody the Daymaker philosophy in every interaction Create an environment that feels like a calm, welcoming escape Move fluidly between roles while maintaining hospitality at all times Anticipate guest needs and elevate small moments into meaningful ones Contribute to a team culture rooted in positivity, collaboration, and care ️ Operational Excellence Maintain clean, organized workspaces across both bar and kitchen Support inventory awareness and product quality standards Follow recipes, processes, and systems with consistency Communicate effectively across front and back of house Adapt to shifting priorities with a positive, solutions-focused mindset Qualifications Passion for both coffee and culinary craft Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-role environment Strong hospitality mindset and interpersonal skills Willingness to learn and grow across both disciplines Team-oriented with a flexible, adaptable attitude Previous barista or kitchen experience preferred (but not required) Physical Requirements Ability to stand for extended periods Ability to lift up to 50 lbs Comfort working in both café and kitchen environments Manual dexterity for equipment and food preparation What We Offer A positive, uplifting environment where your wellbeing matters Work-life harmony with daytime-focused hours Competitive compensation that values your craft Professional growth across both coffee and culinary disciplines A collaborative team of passionate Daymakers Employee coffee and food program to fuel your passion The opportunity to make a real impact — every single day Salary $13.73 - $25 per hour