Title: Coffee Roaster (full time, 32-40 hrs/wk)

Reports To: Head Roaster

FLSA Classification: Hourly, Nonexempt 

Hourly compensation starting at $17.00, commensurate with experience

Responsibilities and Duties: 

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

The Roaster is responsible for roasting all necessary coffees as directed by the Head Roaster, according to precise standards and practices of roasted coffee production for Higher Grounds. This position is expected to participate in quality control sessions, demonstrating an ability to evaluate coffees through various brew methods. The Roaster will ensure perfect quality and consistency of all roasted products while operating in a highly efficient manner. 

Duties include:

  • Develop a thorough understanding of Higher Grounds’ roast style, operations, and daily work flow.
  • Production coffee roast on a 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 and cleaning of all equipment and machinery of our Diedrich IR-24 roasting machine.
  • Green coffee inventory audits.
  • Coverage of other warehouse functions (such as Production, Fulfillment, or Shipping) as assigned. 
  • 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

Qualifications:

  • Two years of experience within specialty coffee.
  • A passion for specialty coffee and a human-centric approach preferred.  
  • Enjoy a fast paced, energetic, ever-evolving workplace.
  • Comfortable with 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, including weekends.
  • Familiarity with the Google Drive suite.
  • 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.
  • Enthusiastic supporter of social justice and environmental sustainability.

Work Environment:

This role is in a production environment that requires lifting of up to 50 pounds, manipulation of up to 152 pounds and repetitive movement. 

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. 

To apply:

Please answer the following questions in the form of a cover letter and email with your contact information and resume to:  jobs@highergroundstrading.com

1. Why do you feel you would be a good fit to work at Higher Grounds?
2. Give an anecdote that demonstrates your ability to be resourceful.
3. What past experience has most prepared you to work in this capacity?

Our circle model: we provide coffee drinkers with the opportunity to engage in a cycle that begins at, and returns to, our partners in coffee-growing regions. We’re fully engaged in that cycle, sourcing coffee directly from farmers through ownership of our importer Cooperative Coffees and circling back to the farmers and their communities via our sister nonprofit, "On the Ground."

Learn more about our sister non profit at: http://onthegroundglobal.org

Learn more about Cooperative Coffees at:  https://coopcoffees.coop/about/mission-vision/

Higher Grounds is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, age, or veteran status. This policy applies to all terms, conditions and privileges of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, compensation, promotion, discipline and termination.