Coffee Roaster and Production Manager

About Us:

Keweenaw Coffee Works’ mission is to inspire a deeper connection to our food system and our community. We believe that coffee is a vibrant tapestry woven from the diverse stories of its origins and the passionate hands that nurture it. Through every cup we serve and every interaction we share, we strive to celebrate the rich complexity of coffee while fostering meaningful connections within the community we serve. 

Job Summary:

The Coffee Roaster & Production Manager leads our coffee roasting operations and B2B relationships, ensuring excellence in both product quality and business development. This role maintains our high standards for coffee sourcing, roasting and wholesale partnerships,  spearheads training programs, while collaborating with the General Manager and Culinary Director to support our overall mission. 

Key Responsibilities:

Coffee Program Management 

• Oversee coffee sourcing and purchasing
• Maintain roasting standards and profiles
• Develop seasonal coffee offerings
• Lead quality control program
• Manage green coffee inventory 
• Direct production scheduling 

Roasting Operations

• Execute production roasting according to established profiles and standards
• Operate and maintain roasting equipment
• Monitor and adjust roast profiles for optimal flavor development 
• Maintain detailed roasting logs and production records 
• Manage green coffee inventory and storage 
• Coordinate production scheduling with wholesale needs
• Support coffee selection and blend development 
• Implement quality control protocols

Production Management 

• Plan daily production schedules 
• Monitor inventory levels 
• Coordinate with packaging team
• Track production metrics
• Optimize workflow efficiency
• Maintain clean and organized workspace
• Support cost control initiatives

Wholesale Operations

• Manage B2B relationships 
• Develop wholesale program 
• Support wholesale partners
• Coordinate deliveries and logistics
• Maintain wholesale pricing structures
• Lead partner training programs

Delivery Operations

• Execute delivery routes efficiently 
• Maintain delivery vehicle
• Handle products carefully 
• Process delivery paperwork
• Follow food safety protocols
• Track mile and fuel usage

Sales Support

• Build customer relationships
• Gather customer feedback 
• Identify sales opportunities
• Support account management
• Present new products
• Assist with promotions

Account Management

• Monitor customer inventory 
• Process orders accurately 
• Maintain delivery records 
• Support customer service
• Report account issues 
• Track customer preferences 
• 
  

Technical Excellence

• Stay current with industry trends and innovations
• Participate in professional development
• Contribute to roast profile development
• Support equipment maintenance programs
• Document technical procedures 
• Troubleshoot equipment issues 
• Maintain calibration records

Team Leadership

• Supervise Roasting team
• Manage production staff
• Coordinate with Senior Roaster/ Trainer
• Provide professional development
• Monitor team performance
• Foster a collaborative environment
• Train and mentor roasting, coffee bar and kitchen team members
• Support production staff development
• Share knowledge and best practices
• Maintain standard operating procedures
• Assist in staff evaluation
• Foster a collaborative work environment
• Support cross-training initiatives

Quality Control 

• Maintain roasting standards
• Conduct regular cuppings
• Monitor product consistency 
• Implement quality protocols 
• Document roasting procedures
• Train staff on quality standards
• Lead daily coffee cuppings and quality assessment
• Monitor green coffee quality and aging
• Maintain cupping notes and evaluation records
• Calibrate roasting equipment daily
• Track roast data and analyze trends
• Ensure consistency across batches
• Document quality control findings 
• Support continuous improvement initiatives

Physical Requirements

• Ability to be on feet for extended periods of time
• Able to lift and move up to 50 pounds regularly
• Work in varying conditions and temperatures
• Manual dexterity for equipment operation
• Ability to distinguish subtle color variations
• Acute sense of smell for quality control 
• Physical stamina for production demands

Qualifications

• 2+ years speciality coffee experience preferred
• 1+ years of production experience preferred
• 1+ years roasting experience preferred
• Strong business development skills
• Team management experience
• Excellent palate and cupping skills
• Strong analytical skills

What We Offer: 

• Competitive Salary 
• Professional development
• Creative environment 
• Industry Education
• Work-life balance with primarily daytime, weekday hours 
• Employee Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, PTO, Retirement, Meals etc