WHSmith
Grindsmith Café - Team Leader - 30hrs

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
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
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
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)


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
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.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills