Barista jobs in Leeds

About kWh Coffee

We roast specialty coffee on electricity in York and deliver it across the UK, aiming to be as sustainable as possible. We supply businesses and individuals with great coffee, help install coffee equipment and services, and we also run espresso bars. We have been backed by York Angels to create a more sustainable, innovative coffee supply chain, recently bringing Laurence Beardmore on board as Chair.

The role

We're hiring seasonal baristas for Christmas 2026: part-time, fixed-term, from early November to 21 December. You'll help to run a coffee bar at one of three locations in the city, and potentially assist with seasonal events. It's a small team, so you'll work alongside the founders, particularly Caitlin, our co-founder. This is a perfect role for someone seeking extra hours over Christmas, working at a fast-growing startup.What you'll do

• Make great coffee. Espresso drinks and filter to our recipes, consistently, with a queue in front of you. We will be using an Eversys.
• Set up and pack down where needed. Machine, grinder, power, water, signage and stock.
• Talk about the coffee. Tell people where it's from and how we roast it, and help to sell bags, gift boxes and vouchers for Christmas.
• Take payments. Card reader and cash, with the takings right at the end of the day.
• Keep it clean and safe. Food hygiene, allergens, fridge temperatures and cleaning checks, logged every shift.

What we're looking for

You'll need:

• To be friendly even as a queue builds, and calm when the card reader drops out
• Weekends free
• To be happy working outdoors in November and December (although free coffee will help!)
• The right to work in the UK

It helps if you have:

• Experience at markets, festivals or events
• Latte art you're proud of
• Curiosity about roasting, electric vehicles or where coffee comes from

Excitement about the wider role, and learning about what it takes to build a business from scratch, is of course very welcome.

Hours, pay and perks

- Contract

- Part-time, fixed-term

- Christmas season

Dates: Paid training from 9 Nov 2026, trading until 21 Dec 2026

Hours: Between 10 to 20 hours a week, mostly Thursday to Sunday, with some weekday shifts

Tips: Shared equally across everyone, monthly

Training

Our recipes and kit, a session on the roaster, and a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate, paid for by us

Perks

Free coffee on shift and a staff discount in our online shop

After Christmas

You will be among the first we call when we hire in 2027

How to apply

Apply through our job post by 1 November 2026. Your CV is all we need, plus answers to three questions:

• Which days can you work between November and 21 December?
• What's your favourite type of coffee?
• If you've not worked behind a bar before, what experience or characteristic do you think will help you on the job?
• We'll invite shortlisted people to an interview or paid trial shift on the bar in the week of 26 Oct 2026. No cover letter needed.

kWh Coffee is an equal opportunities employer and is accredited by the Good Business Charter. We welcome applications from everyone, whatever your age, disability, ethnicity, gender, religion or sexual orientation. If you need any adjustments to apply or to do the interview or trial brief, just tell us.

Pay: Up to £14.50 per hour

Application question(s):

• Which days can you work between 1 November and 21 December? Please list weekdays and weekends, and any dates you’re away.
• What's your favourite type of coffee?
• If you've not worked behind a bar before, what experience or characteristic do you think will help you on the job?

Work Location: In person