Green Coffee

Term from Cafes industry explained for recruiters

Green coffee refers to raw, unroasted coffee beans that are the starting point for all coffee products. In the coffee industry, it's important because it represents the pure form of coffee before roasting. When this term appears in someone's resume, it usually indicates they have experience with coffee sourcing, quality control, or roasting operations. Think of it like a chef knowing about raw ingredients before they're cooked. People who work with green coffee often need to understand bean varieties, origins, and quality assessment, which are fundamental skills in specialty coffee businesses.

Examples in Resumes

Conducted quality assessments of Green Coffee samples from various origins

Managed Green Coffee inventory and supplier relationships for a specialty roastery

Developed training programs on Green Coffee selection and evaluation

Typical job title: "Green Coffee Buyers"

Also try searching for:

Coffee Buyer Coffee Quality Manager Green Coffee Specialist Coffee Sourcing Manager Coffee Quality Control Specialist Coffee Trader Coffee Roaster

Where to Find Green Coffee Buyers

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you develop and maintain relationships with coffee producers and exporters?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that show experience in international trade relationships, understanding of coffee farming communities, and proven track record of maintaining reliable supply chains.

Q: How do you evaluate the quality and value of green coffee?

Expected Answer: Candidate should explain cupping processes, scoring systems, and how they balance quality with business considerations like price and availability.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What factors do you consider when storing green coffee?

Expected Answer: Should mention temperature control, humidity levels, proper packaging, rotation of stock, and contamination prevention.

Q: How do you identify common defects in green coffee?

Expected Answer: Should be able to describe visual inspection processes, common defects like insect damage or mold, and their impact on coffee quality.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the main differences between Arabica and Robusta green coffee?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basic differences in appearance, price, and typical uses of these main coffee varieties.

Q: How do you organize and track green coffee inventory?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic inventory management, lot tracking, and storage organization systems.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic green coffee identification
  • Simple quality checking
  • Inventory management
  • Understanding coffee origins

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Quality assessment and grading
  • Supplier communication
  • Storage management
  • Sample roasting

Senior (5+ years)

  • International sourcing
  • Contract negotiation
  • Quality control program development
  • Team management

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of basic coffee varieties and origins
  • Lack of experience with quality assessment methods
  • Poor understanding of proper storage conditions
  • No familiarity with coffee industry standards and certifications