Lead Roaster: Build & Own a Premier Roasting Program

Sprudge; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Free coffee and bags to take home

Cafe discounts

Professional development assistance

Job summary

Fleet Coffee in Austin is seeking an experienced Lead Roaster to captain our roasting program. This senior, hands-on role requires real time production roasting, dialing in profiles, sourcing green, and maintaining quality while getting finished coffee out the door.

You’ll lead a team behind you, set profiles, uphold our quality bar, and shape Fleet’s signature flavor. This role is for someone ready to lead rather than merely execute, with room to grow as Fleet expands.

Qualifications

• Multiple years of hands-on production roasting experience.
• Strong sensory cupping skills and a structured QC approach.
• Working knowledge of green coffee: grades, origins, contracts, and inventory management.
• Self-directed, organized, and accountable for output and quality.
• Experience on a Loring or similar air-roaster highly preferred (Loring S15 Falcon).
• Familiarity with roast-logging software (Cropster, Artisan, or similar).
• Q-Grader certification a plus.
• Ability to lift 60+ lbs and work on your feet in a warehouse/roastery.

Responsibilities

• Production roasting: plan and execute weekly roast schedule to meet café and wholesale demand.
• Quality control & profile development: lead cupping and QC, refine roast profiles for new and seasonal coffees, and troubleshoot when something tastes off.
• Green sourcing & inventory: manage green coffee buying, vendor and importer relationships, contracts, and inventory so we’re never short and never sitting on stale stock.
• Packaging & fulfillment: oversee packaging, labeling, and order fulfillment for retail bags and wholesale accounts, keeping freshness and accuracy tight.
• Wholesale & café support: collaborate with cafés and wholesale customers on dial-ins, feedback, and training as needed.
• Equipment & safety: keep the roaster and supporting equipment maintained, clean, and running safely, and keep the roastery organized.

Skills

Roasting experience

Sensory skills

Inventory management

Process ownership

QC / cupping

Q-Grader certification

Roast-logging software

Tools

Cropster

Artisan

Loring S15 Falcon

Job description

Fleet Coffee in Austin is seeking an experienced Lead Roaster to captain our roasting program. This senior, hands-on role requires real time production roasting, dialing in profiles, sourcing green, and maintaining quality while getting finished coffee out the door.

You’ll lead a team behind you, set profiles, uphold our quality bar, and shape Fleet’s signature flavor. This role is for someone ready to lead rather than merely execute, with room to grow as Fleet expands.