Equator Coffees
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Lead Roaster
role at
Equator Coffees
Position Summary: Reporting to the Head Roaster, the Lead Roaster supports Equator Coffees’ commitment to quality through hands‑on production roasting on Loring and Giesen systems. The role develops and refines roast profiles for seasonal coffees and core blends in collaboration with the Head Roaster and Director of Coffee, while leading the roasting team to meet daily production goals with professionalism and care.
Key Responsibilities
Execute production roasting on Loring and Giesen roast systems.
Develop roast profiles for new seasonal coffees and refine profiles for year‑round blends in partnership with the Head Roaster and Director of Coffee.
Act as lead on‑shift, modeling professionalism, kindness, and a strong commitment to quality.
Guide the team to meet daily production goals by delegating tasks, supporting teammates, and ensuring breaks are taken on time.
Troubleshoot immediate issues as they arise and, when needed, propose solutions and elevate them to the appropriate manager.
Collaborate with the Head Roaster and Production & Fulfillment Manager to plan daily production schedules.
Maintain flexibility and solution‑oriented mindset amid shifting priorities.
Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of roasting machines, destoners, and related equipment.
Log maintenance and repairs accurately, demonstrating strong attention to detail.
Support Equator’s quality standards through cupping, sample roasting, espresso dialing, pour‑over recipe development, and data collection.
Use tools such as Sinar, ColorTrack, Cropster, and TDS meters to support consistency and continuous improvement.
Engage with industry trends, research new tools or systems, attend workshops, participate in competitions, collaborate cross‑functionally, or pursue food safety certifications.
Qualifications and Requirements
3+ years of production roasting experience, preferably on Loring Smart Roast systems.
At least 1 year of experience supporting or leading a small team (3–5 people), such as acting as lead‑on‑shift or senior team member.
Working knowledge of roasting equipment, maintenance, and routine repairs.
Experience with sample roasting and quality evaluation.
Familiarity with specialty coffee brewing, including espresso; experience using Cropster or similar roast‑tracking software.
Understanding of food safety and manufacturing protocols (GMP, SQF, ServSafe preferred).
Ability to safely operate forklifts and pallet jacks (preferred).
Q‑Arabica Grader certification or SCA Sensory Skills certification (preferred).
Must be 16 years of age or older.
Compensation Available to all employees.
Competitive hourly wage.
Commuter Benefits – pre‑tax parking and transit.
Employee Assistance Program – physical and mental health, financial and legal coaching available at no cost.
Free mental health app subscription.
Employee discount on merchandise, coffee gear, and at Equator cafés.
Continuing coffee education classes.
Free coffee.
Paid Time Off for voting on Election Day.
After 60 days: healthcare benefits for full‑time employees (up to 30 hrs/week), 100% employer‑covered premium medical insurance, voluntary insurance plans, employer‑covered life insurance premium, flexible spending account (FSA).
After 90 days: holiday pay for eight Equator‑observed holidays, paid time off with tenure increases for full‑time employees, one paid volunteer day per year.
After 6 months: 401 K with up to 4% company match on employee contributions.
Additional compensation will be commensurate with experience.
Apply We’d love for you to use the video answer feature for our screening questions! It’s a great way for us to get a better sense of your experience and how comfortable you are discussing your skills. Plus, it helps us see your personality and passion for the role!
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Equator Coffees is an equal‑opportunity employer. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, and discharge, will be based on competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.
San Francisco, CA – $20.25 – $20.75/hr
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Lead Roaster
role at
Equator Coffees
Position Summary: Reporting to the Head Roaster, the Lead Roaster supports Equator Coffees’ commitment to quality through hands‑on production roasting on Loring and Giesen systems. The role develops and refines roast profiles for seasonal coffees and core blends in collaboration with the Head Roaster and Director of Coffee, while leading the roasting team to meet daily production goals with professionalism and care.
Key Responsibilities
Execute production roasting on Loring and Giesen roast systems.
Develop roast profiles for new seasonal coffees and refine profiles for year‑round blends in partnership with the Head Roaster and Director of Coffee.
Act as lead on‑shift, modeling professionalism, kindness, and a strong commitment to quality.
Guide the team to meet daily production goals by delegating tasks, supporting teammates, and ensuring breaks are taken on time.
Troubleshoot immediate issues as they arise and, when needed, propose solutions and elevate them to the appropriate manager.
Collaborate with the Head Roaster and Production & Fulfillment Manager to plan daily production schedules.
Maintain flexibility and solution‑oriented mindset amid shifting priorities.
Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of roasting machines, destoners, and related equipment.
Log maintenance and repairs accurately, demonstrating strong attention to detail.
Support Equator’s quality standards through cupping, sample roasting, espresso dialing, pour‑over recipe development, and data collection.
Use tools such as Sinar, ColorTrack, Cropster, and TDS meters to support consistency and continuous improvement.
Engage with industry trends, research new tools or systems, attend workshops, participate in competitions, collaborate cross‑functionally, or pursue food safety certifications.
Qualifications and Requirements
3+ years of production roasting experience, preferably on Loring Smart Roast systems.
At least 1 year of experience supporting or leading a small team (3–5 people), such as acting as lead‑on‑shift or senior team member.
Working knowledge of roasting equipment, maintenance, and routine repairs.
Experience with sample roasting and quality evaluation.
Familiarity with specialty coffee brewing, including espresso; experience using Cropster or similar roast‑tracking software.
Understanding of food safety and manufacturing protocols (GMP, SQF, ServSafe preferred).
Ability to safely operate forklifts and pallet jacks (preferred).
Q‑Arabica Grader certification or SCA Sensory Skills certification (preferred).
Must be 16 years of age or older.
Compensation Available to all employees.
Competitive hourly wage.
Commuter Benefits – pre‑tax parking and transit.
Employee Assistance Program – physical and mental health, financial and legal coaching available at no cost.
Free mental health app subscription.
Employee discount on merchandise, coffee gear, and at Equator cafés.
Continuing coffee education classes.
Free coffee.
Paid Time Off for voting on Election Day.
After 60 days: healthcare benefits for full‑time employees (up to 30 hrs/week), 100% employer‑covered premium medical insurance, voluntary insurance plans, employer‑covered life insurance premium, flexible spending account (FSA).
After 90 days: holiday pay for eight Equator‑observed holidays, paid time off with tenure increases for full‑time employees, one paid volunteer day per year.
After 6 months: 401 K with up to 4% company match on employee contributions.
Additional compensation will be commensurate with experience.
Apply We’d love for you to use the video answer feature for our screening questions! It’s a great way for us to get a better sense of your experience and how comfortable you are discussing your skills. Plus, it helps us see your personality and passion for the role!
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Equator Coffees is an equal‑opportunity employer. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, and discharge, will be based on competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.
San Francisco, CA – $20.25 – $20.75/hr
#J-18808-Ljbffr