Coffee Quality and Cupping Assistant

Equal Exchange; Bridgewater, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Equal Exchange Coffee Quality and Cupping Assistant based in West Bridgewater, MA, is a hands-on role at a coffee-centered organization that imports directly from small farmer co-ops. You will engage in quality work, including tasting, sorting, roasting and brewing, within a small, dynamic team.

This fast-paced role offers independence and teamwork, strong organizational needs, and effective communication through data and discussion to support our specialty coffee mission.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate well and problem-solve.
• Ability to manage time and responsibilities.
• Ability to work well with others.
• Comfortable with computers and technology, such as Excel, Word, databases and E-Mail.
• Detail oriented.
• Food Service experience helpful.
• Coffee experience preferred.
• Coffee training experience helpful.
• Food Science background helpful.
• Works well alone and with a team.
• Ability to lift 50-75 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and update systems for monitoring coffee samples.
• Sort green coffee samples and record results.
• Roast coffee samples for testing.
• Monitor roasted coffee.
• Prepare morning cuppings for QC staff and roasters—record and communicate results with the team.
• Participate in coffee cuppings.
• Measure and analyze packaging for EE coffee products—record results.
• Perform QC checks on the production line.
• Calibrate, maintain, and track machine maintenance.
• Production tasks as needed; roasting, packing, paperwork.
• Fill production positions during vacations, sick leave, etc
• Create/maintain tools to communicate best practices for using our espresso.
• Support coworkers in understanding and using these tools.
• Train customer staff, including baristas, on our best practices for creating espresso drinks.
• Occasional travel, including out of state, to train customer staff/baristas at their store/cafe, approximately 6 times per year.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor
• Participate in staff, team, department, and educational (Exchange Time) meetings.
• Understand our producer partners, trading policies, and the Fair Trade movement.
• Understand and participate effectively in our worker cooperative model.

Skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Time management

Teamwork

Detail-oriented

Physical ability to lift 50-75 lbs

Coffee experience

Coffee training experience

Food Service experience

Works well alone and with a team

Tools

Excel

Word

Databases

E-Mail

Job description

Equal Exchange Coffee Quality and Cupping Assistant

Based in West Bridgewater, MA

This is a coffee-centered role that sits within the unique intersection of specialty coffee and social justice. Work on a small, dynamic team at an organization who has paved the way in importing directly from small farmer coffee co-ops. Ideal for a coffee lover who has passion and interest in the complexity of “quality,” including tasting, sorting, roasting and brewing. This hands-on role is fast-paced and varied, including independence and teamwork, a love for organization and effective communication through a variety of methods (data and discussion).

Job Description

Employment Status: Full-time, hourly, worker-owner track employee

Hours: Variable

Salary Range: $21.63/hr–$24.03/hr ($45,000–$50,000 annual equivalent), depending on experience

Benefits: Health/dental/vision insurance coverage, vacations, holidays, sick days, eligibility for worker ownership

Department: Quality Control

Reports to: Quality Control Manager

Qualifications

Ability to communicate well and problem-solve

Ability to effectively manage time and responsibilities

Ability to work well with others

Comfortable with computers and technology, such as Excel, Word, databases and

E-Mail

Detail oriented

Food Service experience helpful

Coffee experience preferred

Coffee training experience helpful

Food Science background helpful

Works well alone and with a team

Ability to lift 50-75 lbs.

Responsibilities

Maintain and Update Systems for Monitoring Coffee Samples

Sort green coffee samples and record results.

Roast coffee samples for testing.

Monitor Roasted Coffee

Prepare morning cuppings for QC staff and roasters—record and communicate results with the team. Break down and clean up after cuppings are completed.

Participate in coffee cuppings

Measure and analyze packaging for EE coffee products—record results

Perform QC checks on the production line

Calibrate, maintain, and track machine maintenance

Production Assistance:

Perform production tasks as needed; roasting, packing, paperwork, etc.

Fill production positions during vacations, sick leave, etc

Create/maintain tools to communicate best practices for using our espresso.

Support coworkers in understanding and using these tools.

Train customer staff, including baristas, on our best practices for creating espresso drinks.

Occasional travel, including out of state, to train customer staff/baristas at their store/cafe, approximately 6 times per year.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Participate in staff, team, department, and educational (Exchange Time) meetings.

Understand our producer partners, trading policies, and the Fair Trade movement.

Understand and participate effectively in our worker cooperative model.