Coffee Roaster - Part-time

Higher Grounds is a mission-based business built around the idea that high quality coffee is sustainable only through a human-centric approach, making coffee production beneficial for farmers, their communities and everyone involved in the supply chain.

Responsibilities and Duties:

We are looking for a part-time Coffee Roaster. The Roaster is responsible for roasting all necessary coffees in accordance with precise standards and systems, as directed by the Production Manager. Higher Grounds is a “roast-to-order” production facility, meaning expectations and patterns of roasting are decided by daily sales orders. The Roaster will strive for perfect quality and consistency of all roasted products while ensuring roasting gets done in a timely, efficient manner.

This position is expected to participate in quality control sessions, demonstrating an ability to carefully evaluate coffees through various brew methods. Roasters are also responsible for thoroughly cleaning the inside and outside of the roaster.

The core hours of operation are Sunday through Friday. Each weekday we operate from around 4:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with two roasting shifts contained therein. Those hours are flexible.

Coffee experience is a plus; extensive training is provided.

Duties include:

● Develop a thorough understanding of Higher Grounds’ roast style, operations, and daily work flow.
● Daily use and mastery of Higher Grounds' profile system, utilizing Cropster roasting software.
● Show thorough understanding of roasting and the variables that impact cup quality.
● Warehouse workflow, organization, and cleanliness especially in the handling of green and roasted coffee in accordance with prescribed safety standards.
● Assist with the receiving of green coffee shipments.
● Set up and participate in regular cuppings according to the SCA standard for quality control.
● Regular maintenance, troubleshooting, cleaning and repair and of all equipment and machinery of our Diedrich IR-24 roasting machine.
● Green coffee inventory audits.
● Maintain a clean and organized production area in accordance with prescribed safety standards.

Competencies:

● High level of accuracy
● Strong verbal and written communication skills
● Organized
● Highly focused on detail
● Mechanical aptitude
● Bias towards action
● Ability to give and receive constructive feedback
● Pleasant persistence
● Curious and obsessively particular about coffee and hospitality
● Ready for manual labor: ability to lift up to 50 pounds repeatedly, manipulate more weight occasionally, and be active and on feet for 8 hours a day.
● Ability to climb ladders and stairs.
● The ability to hear mechanical sound cues.
● Repetitive physical movements of the hands and wrists throughout the day.
● Flexible schedule to compliment our production schedule.
● Familiarity with the Google Drive suite.

Qualifications:

● Specialty coffee preferred.
● A passion for specialty coffee and a human-centric approach preferred.
● Enjoy a fast paced, energetic, ever-evolving workplace.
● Self-directed, self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to multitask.
● Willingness to creatively improve and organize production systems as needed.
● Pleasant disposition in dealing with customers and co-workers.
● Dedicated to constantly improving quality.

Work Environment:

This role is in a production environment that requires lifting of up to 50 pounds, manipulation of up to 155 pounds and repetitive movement. Physical aptitude is vital to success in this position.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.