The Market Coffee Trainer is responsible for educating and instilling the values of deliciousness and beverage integrity in our baristas and top-tier wholesale accounts. They serve as a communal ambassador for La Colombe coffee products and are actively involved in the La Colombe culture and community.

The Market Coffee Trainer works collaboratively with La Colombe Café Teams to ensure consistent beverage quality, exceptional customer experience, and operational excellence across all markets. This role is also responsible for providing great customer service to both internal and external customers, acting as a trusted partner and resource across teams and accounts.

In addition to technical coffee education, the Market Coffee Trainer supports and reinforces the café’s mission and values, using education as a tool to drive memorable guest experiences and positive business results. Through hands-on training, coaching, and engagement, the trainer helps strengthen brand standards, elevate performance, and foster a culture of hospitality, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Market Coffee Trainers work as a function of the Operational Excellence team, owning and assisting in the creation of resources, policies, and procedures within all aspects of the cafe operations.

Responsibilities

Deliver hands-on, in-person training and coaching to baristas and top-tier wholesale accounts, reinforcing La Colombe standards of deliciousness, beverage integrity, and craft excellence.

Lead practical, on-the-bar education including drink preparation, calibration, workflow, and service techniques.

Serve as a communal ambassador for La Colombe coffee products, culture, and community in both café and wholesale environments.

Work side-by-side with Café Managers and Baristas in the region to ensure consistent beverage quality and exceptional customer experience across all markets.

Coordinate with District & National Leadership on market level priorities.

Provide excellent customer service to internal teams and external partners through responsive support, relationship-building, and on-site engagement.

Support and reinforce the café mission and values through hands-on education that drives memorable guest experiences and strong business results.

Actively participate in daily café operations when needed to model best practices, hospitality standards, and operational excellence.

Ensure regularly cadenced Quality Control checks are both in place, and where necessary, steps to improve / rectify are included.

Observe performance in real-time, identify skill gaps, and deliver immediate, actionable feedback and follow-up coaching.

Collaborate with leadership to continuously improve training programs, tools, and execution.

Routinely attends meetings with local leadership to ensure collaboration on operational rollouts.

Uphold and promote brand standards, hospitality expectations, and operational best practices at all times, being an exemplar of all practices.

Support market level operations initiatives (events, public trainings, shoulder-to-shoulder work)

PEOPLE & CULTURE Communicate proactively, professionally, and positively with the team and guests. Train baristas to lead the industry in standards of drink preparation, customer service, consistency, cleanliness, and efficiency. Collaborate and coordinate with cafe leadership, other training team members as well as the wholesale team to assure efficient use of the designated training lab or training areas. Identify and escalate any potential issues relating to our baristas either to Cafe Management or Human Resources. Serve as an inspirational leader figure to our cafe teams.

RETAIL OPERATIONS Assist in menu item launches as well as the opening of new cafes in the market. Spend time on bar with team members as needed/instructed. Utilize La Colombe protocols in training, follow-ups, and cafe visits. Work closely with the District Manager, Cafe Managers, and the National Manager of Training to promote La Colombe coffees within our retail locations. Carry out audits on all aspects of drink preparation and customer service at La Colombe Cafes. Collaborate with the technical department to achieve quality control from a technical perspective (calibration, water quality, TDS measurements, etc.) Collect and catalog data, review trends and report to ensure proper/consistent brewing across the market.

EDUCATION Inspires and educates our barista population through our core coffee curriculum which guides baristas through the history of coffee and La Colombe’s role therein. Proficient in coffee knowledge, brewing, and machine maintenance. Consistently seeking to develop those skills and share new and efficient practices. Sharing knowledge and feedback with baristas and managers while on bar during quality control checks. Ensure all baristas have completed training in accordance with our Training Program and that feedback is captured in a timely fashion. Scheduling cuppings, training, and other events open to the public. Encourage and promote elective education.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Attend weekly, monthly, and quarterly meetings. Maintain regular and open dialogue regarding the program with the National Manager of Training. Provide regular feedback on how to enhance and improve the program. Participate in yearly revisions to the training guides. Regularly assist in the identification and personal development of Baristas, Supervisors, and Cafe Managers. Represent La Colombe in a professional way at industry events and conferences.

Requirements:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Proven experience in management or leadership roles is highly desirable.

• A genuine passion for coffee and delivering exceptional hospitality.

• Some travel required.

• Minimum of 4 years of hands-on experience in the coffee industry.

About Us