Hi there, so glad you found us… Allow us to introduce ourselves…
North Star is a coffee company and family united by a love for great coffee and a desire to protect all it supports. We were founded with the aim of proving that a quality and impact-led approach creates viable business models across our supply chain to ultimately build an industry that works for everyone. This is our guiding star and our basis for decision making around further growth, helping to build impact into all that we do.
Our Story
Our love for coffee began at source, wandering the coffee trees of Nyeri in Kenya, talking shop over hot tea and donuts…
In pursuit of research to support our final year dissertation, we spent a few months amongst smallholder coffee farming communities in rural Kenya to ask them about their experiences of Fairtrade. This opportunity changed our lives. It showed us how deeply emotive coffee is but also how deep seated issues in this global supply chain have placed a serious question mark over the industry's future.
Fast forward to 2013, we took the plunge on a 5kg second hand roasting machine working out of a small industrial unit in Meanwood, Leeds. A decade later with a wholesale customer base of over 120 national partnerships, two of our own coffee shops and a team of 30 across our business we are so proud to have built a brand and business that brings joy to so many.
B Corp, what is it?
In 2022, North Star (roastery + coffee shops) became a certified B Corp. In simple terms, we are assessed for the overall ethics and sustainability of our business across 5 areas.
1. How the business is governed (how decisions are made/core mission/values etc)
2. Employee experiences
3. Environmental practices
4. How customers are treated
5. How supply partnerships are formed and nurtured.
The idea is that not only are businesses verified to be having the impact they say they are having, but they become a part of a movement focused on constant improvement, sharing practices and ideas to challenge the 'normal' way of doing business.
As a Certified B Corporation and a leader of this emerging economy, we believe:
* That we must be the change we seek in the world
* That all business ought to be conducted as if people and place mattered
* That, through our products, practices, and profits, we should aspire to do no harm and benefit all
* To do so requires that we act with the understanding that we are each dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations.
As supervisor of our flagship retail site at Leeds Dock, this role is of the upmost importance to the entire North Star brand.
We are looking for a capable and confident leader who can effortlessly support and develop their team. People management is a key priority for this role focusing on staff satisfaction and engagement alongside the successful operational running of the coffee shop space.
To succeed in this role, you must be a naturally warm host with a genuine love for hospitality. You should possess empathetic leadership skills.
If you or anyone you know might be interested, here is a bit more about the recruitment process and details of the role:
We are committed to creating a diverse environment and consider applications from all regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or age.
We want to make sure you can give your interviews with us your best effort, so we want to share in advance what to expect:
1. Stage 1 is a 10 minute phone interview with Chris, our general manager, to see how your experience matches our role, successful people move to the next stage.
2. Stage 2 is a one hour face to face interview with Chris at the Docks to talk about your experience in more detail and how you feel you could fulfil the role. We will also talk about our culture as it's so important to us that you are a good fit for our culture. Only the very best candidates will move to the last stage.
3. Stage 3 is the final step where we will ask you to work alongside our general manager during service for one hour to demonstrate your abilities, followed by some practical work with our training team to assess your current coffee ability.
We aim to run the same process for all candidates to be as fair and unbiased as possible. Once we have appointed our preferred candidate we will shred all information relating to the recruitment to ensure confidentiality.
Position: Supervisor Start Date: December 2025
Hours of Work: 40 hours per week over Weekdays/Weekends/Bank Holidays
Place of Work: Unit 32, The Boulevard, Leeds Dock, Leeds, LS10 1PZ
Holiday Entitlement: Statutory
Remuneration: £ /annum depending on experience.
Review: Initial 6 month trial with formal monthly catch ups
Key Role Responsibilities:
* Leading the way in how we make coffee. Dialling in the coffee machine, creating recipes & brew methods for newly released coffee.
* Maintaining standards and quality control in coffee preparation (ensuring brew recipes are set and adhered to throughout the day).
* Contributing to social media and working alongside the Marketing team to ensure we are promoting the food & drinks, the space & events effectively.
* Manage and maintain systems and processes that ensure a consistent high standard of daily routine, hygiene and customer service along with documenting any new systems/procedures.
* Assisting the general manager when finding a solution to all issues within the store.
* Keeping informed about industry developments.
* Promote high levels of engagement and a healthy team culture creating opportunities to work, learn and socialise with your team.
* Assisting the general manager to oversee service and quality check presentation of food and drink.
* Actively manage shifts, pushing sales to reach and exceed targets.
* Ensure site is clean and presentable throughout the day.
* Be present in the coffee community in Leeds, attending events and advocating for the work of North Star.
* Work closely with management and roastery team to develop and implement coffee-related initiatives, creating an unforgettable coffee experience that aligns with our brand. Find time to meet with our head coffee programmer to learn about new & upcoming coffee releases before feeding that information back to the team.
* Work with the general manager to promote new coffee releases in the coffee shop & have new recipes ready for launch dates.
* Liaise with the training team to develop a training programme for all new starters (for them to complete before they are allowed access to the coffee machine) and provide ongoing training, support, and mentorship to team members, ensuring consistent skills development and product knowledge.
* Be an example for our way of working at all times, showcasing our company values and displaying high standards of coffee and customer service.
* Ensure a warm, inclusive, and welcoming atmosphere for both customers and staff, upholding the unique culture of North Star.
* Optimising workflow at busy & quiet times.
* Ensuring staff are being proactive on shift. Ensuring the team is customer focused, the shift is organised & led in a positive manner.
* Promoting coffee engagement within the team & coffee engagement between the team & our customers.
Requirements
* Minimum of 1 years previous management experience.
* A capable barista with knowledge of different brewing methods, dialling in, machine maintenance & recipes.
* Natural warm host, someone who loves looking after people.
* Energetic with a passion to do a great job.
* Always punctual and presentable.
* A love of hospitality and desire to contribute to the development of a best practice example for the industry in terms of customer service and experience and staff wellbeing.
* Natural curiosity to learn.
* Work Ethic (a natural tendency to do something as well as it can possibly be done).
* Self-awareness and integrity.
* Can do attitude with natural leadership and motivational skills – ability to identify opportunities to streamline or develop our offer in line with company objectives.
* Excellent organisational skills.
* Strong leadership skills with an ability to train and motivate staff in a culture based around teamwork rather than hierarchy.
* Be good with people able to build a rapport with regulars.
* A passion for coffee, ethically sourced seasonal produce and outstanding customer service is essential.
* Familiar with table service.
* Honest.
* A problem solver.
* A team leader and approachable to all staff.
As a key member of our management team, we will expect you to be an ambassador for North Star at all times both in and outside of work, demonstrating our core values:
Collaborate inside and out - If we communicate effectively, work towards the same goal and focus on the customer at all times, we will perform and produce amazing work.
Take care of yourself and others - I take ownership for my own wellbeing and work to understand the needs of those around us (be they a colleague, customer or supply partner), knowing that we are all individuals with equal value.
Speak up and Be BOLD – We are here to make a change, we don't shy away from challenge and we prioritise courage over comfort. We innovate and create, looking for opportunities to learn and to increase our impact. We don't mind making measured mistakes, we DO mind repeating them. Every task, project or collaboration carries a lesson, we try to make sure we learn it.
Benefits
* Permanent full time contract
* Competitive Parental Leave Offer
* Compassionate Leave
* Sick Pay
* Private Healthcare Scheme
* Personal and Professional Development
* 'Stay Curious' fund of £150/year to be put towards developing an interest or hobby
* Industry accredited SCA courses.
* 20% discount in our coffee shops
* Free meal on shift
* 1 x 250g bag of coffee per week
* Cycle to work scheme
* Company matched charity donations up to the value of £500.
* An environment in which you are encouraged to feedback and help us do better
* The chance to genuinely have a positive impact on the lives of others.