Roastery - Equator Coffees
Position Overview
Title:
Lead Roaster Classification:
Non‑Exempt Reporting to:
Head Roaster
Equator Coffees, a women‑owned, LGBTQ‑founded specialty coffee roaster, seeks a Lead Roaster to lead production roasting on Loring and Giesen systems, develop roast profiles, and mentor a small team in support of quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Execute production roasting on Loring and Giesen systems.
Develop roast profiles for new seasonal coffees and refine year‑round blends in partnership with the Head Roaster and Director of Coffee.
Act as lead‑on‑shift, modeling professionalism 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 and, when needed, propose a solution and raise the issue to the appropriate manager.
Collaborate with the Head Roaster and Production & Fulfillment Manager to plan daily production schedules and remain flexible when priorities shift.
Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of roasting machines, destoners, and related equipment and log maintenance and repairs accurately.
Support quality standards through cupping, sample roasting, espresso dialing, pour‑over recipe development, and data collection using tools such as Sinar, ColorTrack, Cropster, and TDS meters.
Engage with industry trends, research new tools or systems, attend workshops, participate in competitions, and 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) and understanding of roasting equipment, maintenance, and routine repairs.
Experience with sample roasting and quality evaluation.
Familiarity with specialty coffee brewing, including espresso, and experience using Cropster or similar roast‑tracking software.
Understanding of food safety and manufacturing protocols (GMP, SQF, ServSafe preferred).
Preferred: forklift and pallet jack operation, Q‑Arabica Grader or SCA Sensory Skills certification.
Must be 16 years of age or older.
Compensation and Benefits Compensation will be commensurate with experience.
Qualified employees receive competitive hourly wages and a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
Competitive hourly wage and commutator benefits (pre‑tax parking, transit).
Employee Assistance Program, mental health app subscription, and free coffee.
Continuing coffee education classes and employee discounts on merchandise and café gear.
Paid time off, holiday pay, and paid volunteer day per year.
Healthcare benefits for full‑time employees (medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and flexible spending account).
401(k) with up to 4% company match.
Holiday pay after 90 days and holiday observance of eight Equator‑observed holidays per year.
Equal Opportunity Employer 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.
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Lead Roaster Classification:
Non‑Exempt Reporting to:
Head Roaster
Equator Coffees, a women‑owned, LGBTQ‑founded specialty coffee roaster, seeks a Lead Roaster to lead production roasting on Loring and Giesen systems, develop roast profiles, and mentor a small team in support of quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Execute production roasting on Loring and Giesen systems.
Develop roast profiles for new seasonal coffees and refine year‑round blends in partnership with the Head Roaster and Director of Coffee.
Act as lead‑on‑shift, modeling professionalism 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 and, when needed, propose a solution and raise the issue to the appropriate manager.
Collaborate with the Head Roaster and Production & Fulfillment Manager to plan daily production schedules and remain flexible when priorities shift.
Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of roasting machines, destoners, and related equipment and log maintenance and repairs accurately.
Support quality standards through cupping, sample roasting, espresso dialing, pour‑over recipe development, and data collection using tools such as Sinar, ColorTrack, Cropster, and TDS meters.
Engage with industry trends, research new tools or systems, attend workshops, participate in competitions, and 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) and understanding of roasting equipment, maintenance, and routine repairs.
Experience with sample roasting and quality evaluation.
Familiarity with specialty coffee brewing, including espresso, and experience using Cropster or similar roast‑tracking software.
Understanding of food safety and manufacturing protocols (GMP, SQF, ServSafe preferred).
Preferred: forklift and pallet jack operation, Q‑Arabica Grader or SCA Sensory Skills certification.
Must be 16 years of age or older.
Compensation and Benefits Compensation will be commensurate with experience.
Qualified employees receive competitive hourly wages and a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
Competitive hourly wage and commutator benefits (pre‑tax parking, transit).
Employee Assistance Program, mental health app subscription, and free coffee.
Continuing coffee education classes and employee discounts on merchandise and café gear.
Paid time off, holiday pay, and paid volunteer day per year.
Healthcare benefits for full‑time employees (medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and flexible spending account).
401(k) with up to 4% company match.
Holiday pay after 90 days and holiday observance of eight Equator‑observed holidays per year.
Equal Opportunity Employer 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.
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