Job Specifications
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.
How the business is governed (how decisions are made/core mission/values etc)
Employee experiences
Environmental practices
How customers are treated
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.
About
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
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.
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.
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: £26500-27500/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
About the Company
North Star is a family united by a love for coffee and a desire to build a bright future for all it supports. Established as the first wholesale roastery in Leeds in 2013, the team work to deliver positive impact with every cup, mindfully sourcing specialty grade beans from growers we know and trust, and from farms that promote agroforestry techniques and social responsibility. Many of our purchases support initiatives focused on climate change resilience and youth/female empowerment. This approach, we feel, is key to growin...
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