Team Leader
Costa CoffeeThe Breakroom Take
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- Proper breaks
About Costa Coffee
Costa Coffee is a coffee shop chain. They specialise in serving Italian coffee.
Job description from Costa Coffee
Team Leader (Barista Maestro) – Milton Keynes Kingst – 35 Hours Per Week – Permanent
At Costa Coffee, we are what we craft. It’s about blending beans with dedication, serving up memorable moments, and proudly making greatness every day.
And as a Team Leader, you can too.
So, why Costa?
Starting pay of£12.33 – 13.33per hour, rising with training to £12.83-13.83 (dependant store location)
We’re a global coffee brand with bold plans and some pretty brilliant perks to sweeten the deal:
- Access to the Coca-Cola share scheme including matched contributions
- 50% discount on all your favourite food and drinks in Costa owned stores
- A smart pension that is matched up to an amazing 10%
- The Costa Financial Support Fund, supporting team members who find themselves in unexpected financial pressure
- And that’s not all. Explore even more of our perkshere: https://costaperks
We’re passionate about being a great place to work, where you can bring your real self into our mix. We firmly support diversity, equity and inclusion, and continue to work with our teams to shape the future of our culture and values: Disciplined to Deliver, Passion for Progress, Win with Warmth, Courage to Challenge and Trusted Team Players.
We may be a global brand, but we haven’t forgotten our roots. That’s where the Costa Foundation and our fantastic community agenda come in. Whatever your role, you can help us change lives in coffee growing communities and help your local community too.
What you’ll do
Being a Team Leader means so much more than leading (even though that’s still pretty important). It’s your chance to step up to the plate – which means you’ll be:
- Creating smooth shifts even in busy periods
- Training and accrediting new Baristas
- Stirring up success for yourself and your team
- Crafting new recipes to energise your team
- Keeping standards high, from excellent espressos to monthly coffee excellence scores
Who you are
We’re interested in your unique ingredients:
- An example setter, someone we can put our trust in to keep everything running smoothly
- A leader, ready to take on new responsibilities within the team
- A learner, who can turn their knowledge into steaming hot ideas
For any reasonable adjustments and general queries, please get in touch with

Job insights from Breakroom
Bar, restaurant and kitchen supervisors
Bar, restaurant and kitchen supervisors are responsible for the day-to-day running of their bar or restaurant and make sure customers are happy with the food and service they receive
What you’ll do as a bar, restaurant and kitchen supervisor
- Plan menus with your chefs
- Organise shifts and rotas for kitchen, waiting and bar staff
- Recruit staff and help to train them
- Plan events like weddings or birthdays
- Manage stock and budgets
Is it right for you?
This job may involve:
- Standing
- Physical activities
- Wearing a uniform
- Cleaning
- Anti-social hours
- Managing people
- Using a computer
Map
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
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What employees say
Pay
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Okay
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Only some people are paid a living wage
Do Costa Coffee pay team leaders enough to live on?
Some people are not paid a living wage.
How we know this
56% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 18 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £12.60 per hour, and £13.85 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Needs improving
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Most people are paid below market rates
Do Costa Coffee pay team leaders market rates?
Most people are paid less than average for their job.
How we know this
74% of people are paid below average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Needs improving
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Under 21s get paid less than everyone else
Do team leaders at Costa Coffee get paid the same regardless of age?
No, people under the age of 21 get paid less than those above 21.
See what Costa Coffee pays different age groupsHow we know this
The average pay of under 21s is less than those who are over 21.Based on data from 24 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2022 and December 2024.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get paid breaks
Do team leaders at Costa Coffee get paid breaks?
No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.
How we know this
100% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get sick pay
Do Costa Coffee pay team leaders sick pay?
No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.
How we know this
95% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Okay
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Some people do unpaid extra work
Do team leaders at Costa Coffee do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Sometimes. Some people do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
53% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
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Needs improving
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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do team leaders get of their shift pattern at Costa Coffee?
Most people don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 71% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 10% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 5% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 14% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
Good
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Most people don’t worry about their hours
Do team leaders at Costa Coffee worry about hours?
Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
71% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Good
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Most people get a choice of shifts
Do team leaders at Costa Coffee get to choose the shifts they work?
Most people get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
71% report that their manager gives them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Okay
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Can be hard to change shifts
How easy is it for team leaders at Costa Coffee to change shifts?
Some people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
60% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Good
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Easy to book holiday
How easy is it for team leaders to book a holiday at Costa Coffee?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
74% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Okay
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Shifts can get changed at short notice
Do Costa Coffee managers change team leaders shifts at short notice?
Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
53% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Okay
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Some people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it for team leaders to take sick leave at Costa Coffee?
Some people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
61% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 18 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Needs improving
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People work a lot more hours than their contract
Do team leaders work the same number they are contracted for at Costa Coffee?
Most people work a lot more hours than their contact..
How we know this
74% of people report working 8 hours or more than their contract.Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, you should expect to work about the same number of hours that your contract guarantees you, most of the time.
It’s useful to pick up or drop a few shifts here and there, but if you often work a lot more hours every week than you’re contracted for, a good job should guarantee them.
This means you’re more likely to know when you’ll be working and how much you’ll earn in advance.
Workplace
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Good
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Most people feel treated with respect
Do team leaders at Costa Coffee feel treated with respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
67% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Okay
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Only some people get proper breaks
Do team leaders at Costa Coffee get proper breaks?
Some people don’t get proper breaks.
How we know this
38% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
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Most people are stressed
Is it stressful for team leaders to work at Costa Coffee?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
79% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Okay
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Only some people enjoy their job
Do team leaders at Costa Coffee enjoy their jobs?
Only some people enjoy their job.
How we know this
40% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.Based on data from 20 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Okay
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Only some people recommend their team
Do team leaders at Costa Coffee recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
59% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Good
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Most people get enough training
Do team leaders get enough training when they start at Costa Coffee?
Most people got enough training when they started.
How we know this
80% of people report they got enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 20 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Okay
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Only some people get support to progress
Are team leaders given support to progress at Costa Coffee?
Only some people are given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 44% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 18 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
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Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do team leaders think Costa Coffee head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
86% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Okay
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Only some people feel well informed by head office
Do team leaders feel well informed about how Costa Coffee is doing?
Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
48% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2023 and December 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What Costa Coffee employees say about their job
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Best thing
Free drinks on shift
Some of the team members are niceWorst thing
Very stressful
Managers
Hard to change shifts
Always stuck on potwash if your new
Lack of trainingCosta Coffee Barista, February 2025
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Best thing
Pay is decent for what job requires
Store managers are good but higher up not sure if they care enoughWorst thing
Other colleagues who put in minimum effort, lack of team effort, apart from managers and BMs no one cares about doing a good job
Costa Coffee Barista Maestro, January 2025
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