Kai Whakapai is a Wanaka institution — perched on the lakefront and proudly serving Coffee Supreme to locals and visitors every day. We’re a high-volume, high-energy café where quality and speed go hand in hand.

As a Barista at Kai, you’ll be at the heart of it all — dialing in Coffee Supreme beans, keeping pace through the busiest rushes, and delivering consistently excellent coffee with a smile. You’ll thrive in a fast-moving environment, stay calm under pressure, and bring good vibes to both the team and our customers.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve consistently excellent coffee using Coffee Supreme beans.
• Manage workflow and maintain quality during high-volume service periods.
• Froth and split milk at speed, with confidence in latte art presentation.
• Operate and maintain espresso machine and grinders to Supreme standards.
• Provide friendly, efficient, and professional customer service at all times.
• Collaborate with the wider café team to keep service flowing smoothly.
• Keep workstations clean, tidy, and hygienic in line with food safety standards.
• Support and uplift team members during peak service.

Requirements

• Minimum 1 year full-time barista experience in a busy, high-volume café. (200+ espresso coffees / day)
• Full time (30hrs a week) , Must be available to work Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. More flexability for which days off suit you midweek.
• Strong technical skills in coffee preparation, grinder adjustment, and milk texturing.
• Proven ability to stay calm, focused, and efficient under pressure.
• Confident in multitasking and managing workflow during busy service.
• Positive, reliable, and customer-focused attitude.
• Availability to work weekends, public holidays, and throughout the peak season (minimum until April).