Grindsmith Café - Team Leader - 30hrs

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Grindsmith Café at Manchester Airport is hiring a Team Leader for 30 hours on a fixed term of three months with potential extension, to run high energy shifts, coach a strong team and ensure every guest leaves with an outstanding experience from 2am to 9pm seven days a week with weekend flexibility. The ideal candidate will have leadership experience in retail or hospitality, a calm confident communicator who cares about detail and quality, and a passion for great coffee. Be ready for airport vetting (passport, five-year history, DBS) and tailor your application to show relevant shift leadership, problem solving and a genuine alignment with Grindsmith values. Highlight flexibility and a positive, energetic approach.

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Grindsmith - Team Leader - Manchester Airport
As a Team Leader at Grindsmith, you lead by doing. You’ll run high-energy shifts, support a brilliant team, and make sure every customer leaves with an experience worth remembering. With a focus on service, quality, and culture, you help bring our brand to life, every day.
Opening hours 0200-2100 Monday - Sunday, fully flexible to include weekends

Fixed Term - 3 months - potential to extend after review


Why join Grindsmith?
• Be part of a bold Manchester-born coffee brand
• Work in a buzzing airport location where no two days are the same
• Grow with us—development opportunities and career progression
• Enjoy staff discounts, partner perks, and a free meal and drink every shift
• Be yourself in a vibrant, values-led workplace
• Free Car Park - On shift
• Un Sociable Hours Pay - Uplift

What you’ll be doing:
• Leading shifts and creating a positive, high-performing team environment
• Coaching your team on the floor and celebrating wins together
• Keeping things running smoothly—stock, safety, service, and smiles
• Serving up top-notch coffee, food, and hospitality
• Living and breathing the Grindsmith values, every single shift


What we’re looking for:
• Experience leading teams in retail or hospitality
• A calm, confident communicator who brings people together
• A sharp eye for detail and a love for quality
• Someone who thrives on solving problems and planning ahead
• A passion for craft coffee, great food, and warm, authentic service
• Super flexible team players who can roll with the airport rhythm and bring positive energy to every shift
• Previous Barista experience preferred but not essential for the right candidate

Airport Vetting Requirements
Due to the location of this role airside at Manchester Airport, all candidates must pass aviation security clearance. This includes:
• A valid passport
• A complete 5-year history (employment, education, travel, or volunteering)
• A criminal record check (DBS)
We will guide you through the vetting process and support you in submitting the necessary documentation.

Why Grindsmith @ WHSmith
• Grindsmith is a values-led, independent coffee brand rooted in Manchester. Paired with WHSmith’s rich heritage and innovative approach to travel retail, this collaboration brings together craft, community, and decades of experience to create something truly unique
• Shift patterns that suit airport hours, with a supportive team around you
• Free car parking onsite at Manchester Airport while at work
• A strong development culture and opportunities to grow within the business
• Staff discount, partner perks, plus free a meal and drink while working in a vibrant workplace where you can truly be yourself.
WHSmith are proud to be an inclusive employer, we want our colleagues to feel welcome, and free to be themselves with us.