Coffee Roaster
A Coffee Roaster is a skilled professional who transforms raw coffee beans into the finished product that customers drink. They use special roasting equipment to heat and monitor coffee beans, bringing out specific flavors and aromas. This role combines elements of culinary arts, science, and quality control. Coffee Roasters need to understand different coffee bean origins, roasting profiles, and customer preferences. They're essential in coffee shops, specialty cafes, and coffee production companies, similar to how a chef is crucial in a restaurant. The job can range from operating small batch roasters in local cafes to managing large industrial roasting operations.
Examples in Resumes
Managed daily operations of a Coffee Roaster producing 500lbs of coffee weekly
Developed unique Coffee Roasting profiles for seasonal coffee blends
Trained staff on Coffee Roaster equipment maintenance and safety procedures
Typical job title: "Coffee Roasters"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Coffee Roasters
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you develop roast profiles for different types of coffee beans?
Expected Answer: A senior roaster should explain how they consider bean origin, density, and moisture content to create specific flavor profiles. They should mention tracking and adjusting time, temperature, and air flow during roasting.
Q: How do you manage quality control in a large-scale roasting operation?
Expected Answer: Should discuss implementing quality control procedures, cupping (tasting) protocols, maintaining consistency across batches, and training staff on quality standards.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when sourcing green coffee beans?
Expected Answer: Should mention bean origin, processing method, harvest date, price point, and how these factors affect final product quality and business costs.
Q: How do you maintain roasting equipment and troubleshoot common issues?
Expected Answer: Should describe regular cleaning procedures, preventive maintenance, and ability to identify and resolve common equipment problems.
Junior Level Questions
Q: Can you explain the basic stages of the coffee roasting process?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe the main stages: drying phase, first crack, development time, and cooling, showing basic understanding of how beans change during roasting.
Q: How do you identify when beans are properly roasted?
Expected Answer: Should mention visual cues like color changes, listening for cracking sounds, and basic use of temperature readings and timing.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic operation of roasting equipment
- Understanding of safety procedures
- Basic coffee tasting skills
- Following established roast profiles
Mid (2-5 years)
- Creating and adjusting roast profiles
- Equipment maintenance
- Quality control procedures
- Green coffee selection
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced profile development
- Staff training and management
- Production planning
- Quality assurance program development
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic food safety practices
- Unable to explain different roast levels
- No experience with quality control procedures
- Lack of equipment maintenance knowledge
