Lead Barista- Drift Santa Barbara

TMC Hospitality was founded in 2016 by Philip Bates as an offshoot of TMC Group to bring its innovation and purposeful disruption to the hospitality industry. As a forward-thinking hotel development and management company focused on elevating hospitality from a service to an experience through strategic development, investment, and brand creation, the group has two hotel brands, Bode and Drift, in addition to Buttonwood Farm & Winery that cater to the concept of social group travel and experiences. Bode, with a location in Nashville, redefines traditional travel by creating flexible spaces that expertly blend the style of vacation rental homes with the comforts and conveniences of a boutique hotel. Drift, with locations in San Jose del Cabo, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, and Nashville, is a modern hotel concept for independent and group travelers who value adventure and culture with minimalist yet intentional details and amenities. Lead Barista – Drift Santa Barbara Full-Time | On-Site | Non-Exempt Drift Santa Barbara is looking for a Lead Barista to help drive our café experience and support hotel operations. This role is perfect for someone who loves great coffee, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and enjoys being a steady, uplifting presence for both guests and the team. As the Lead Barista, you’ll help maintain café standards, train new team members, support ordering and quality control, and step into a leadership role when the Café Supervisor or F&B Manager is not on site. You’ll also collaborate closely with our hotel team—assisting with guest requests, staying active in work chat, and acting as Manager on Duty when needed. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to grow their hospitality career and be part of a tight-knit, service-focused team. What You’ll Do Create a warm, friendly, and consistent café experience for guestsMaintain café standards and lead the team when supervisors are offsiteTrain new baristas and support ongoing development of the café teamCheck and sign for deliveries; assist with ordering and inventorySupport morning bar deliveries and help put away Dawn/Sidebar stockAct as Manager on Duty for the hotel when neededAssist with guest check-in processes and train staff on the PMS systemRespond to guest requests professionally and handle issues with ownershipStay active in work chat and support hotel operations throughout the dayUphold Drift’s brand standards and commitment to exceptional service What We’re Looking For Strong barista experience in a café or restaurant settingLeadership qualities and experience training or supporting a teamExcellent communication and customer service skillsOrganized, detail-oriented, and calm under pressureComfortable with basic tech tools (Microsoft Office, PMS, etc.)Someone who genuinely enjoys hospitality and creating memorable guest moments Why You’ll Love Working With Us Be part of a collaborative, modern hospitality teamOpportunity to grow into broader hotel operations leadershipWork in a beautiful, guest-centric environment steps from the best of Santa BarbaraA culture that values curiosity, creativity, and shared success Locations: Santa Barbara, CA