Roast Profile

Term from Cafes industry explained for recruiters

A Roast Profile is a detailed plan or recipe that coffee roasters use to make coffee beans taste their best. Think of it like a cooking recipe that specifies time and temperature changes during the coffee roasting process. Each profile helps create different flavors - from light and fruity to dark and bold. Coffee professionals use roast profiles to consistently produce the same taste and quality in their coffee, much like how a chef follows a recipe to make the same dish taste the same every time.

Examples in Resumes

Developed and maintained Roast Profile documentation for 12 different coffee bean varieties

Trained junior staff on Roast Profile development and monitoring

Improved consistency of coffee flavor by implementing standardized Roast Profiles

Typical job title: "Coffee Roasters"

Also try searching for:

Coffee Roaster Head Roaster Roastery Manager Coffee Production Manager Coffee Quality Manager Roasting Specialist

Where to Find Coffee Roasters

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you develop a new roast profile for a coffee bean you've never worked with before?

Expected Answer: A senior roaster should explain their systematic approach: starting with sample roasts, analyzing bean characteristics, documenting temperature changes, tasting results, and making adjustments until achieving desired flavor profile.

Q: How do you ensure consistency across multiple batches of coffee?

Expected Answer: Should discuss quality control measures, documentation methods, equipment calibration, and training procedures for other roasters to maintain consistency.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What factors do you consider when adjusting a roast profile?

Expected Answer: Should mention bean size, density, moisture content, desired flavor outcome, and environmental factors like humidity and temperature.

Q: How do you identify and correct common roasting problems?

Expected Answer: Should be able to describe common issues like uneven roasting, scorching, or baking, and explain troubleshooting steps.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic stages of the coffee roasting process?

Expected Answer: Should be able to describe the main stages: drying phase, yellowing, first crack, development time, and cooling, in simple terms.

Q: How do you recognize different roast levels?

Expected Answer: Should be able to describe visual, smell, and sound cues that indicate light, medium, and dark roasts.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of roasting stages
  • Ability to follow established roast profiles
  • Basic coffee cupping and tasting skills
  • Equipment maintenance and cleaning

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Profile adjustment and modification
  • Quality control procedures
  • Production scheduling
  • Training junior staff

Senior (5+ years)

  • New profile development
  • Team management
  • Advanced flavor analysis
  • Equipment troubleshooting and maintenance

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of basic coffee varieties and their characteristics
  • Inability to explain different roast levels
  • No experience with quality control procedures
  • Lack of understanding about food safety regulations