Roasting Assistant

Commons Company; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 25,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Volunteer time off

Retirement Plan

Complementary meals, coffee, and tea

Job summary

Commons Company is seeking a Roasting Assistant to support the head roaster in daily production tasks and quality control. You will assist with roasting, weighing, color analysis, and inventory management of green coffee, including off-site freezer transfers, while maintaining cleanliness on the roasting floor.

As a part-time team member, you will collaborate with fulfillment and QC teams, participate in cuppings, and help ensure repeatable, high-quality roasts.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year in specialty coffee (retail, production, roasting).
• Part-time schedule Mon-Fri 7am-9am; hours may vary.
• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs and team lift up to 160 lbs.
• Cleanliness and precision in a structured quality-control environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform production roasting with 7kg and 35kg Loring machines under Head Roaster.
• Weigh, sort, and queue batches per roast orders.
• Conduct quality control tests: color analysis and density analysis.
• Manage green coffee logistics and off-site freezer inventory.
• Assist with QC cuppings and setup/post-tasting breakdown.
• Carry out weekly maintenance and cleaning of roasting equipment.
• Deliver finished coffee to fulfillment team.
• Maintain cleanliness of roasting floor and facilities.

Skills

Attention to detail

Quick learner

Communication (verbal & written)

Coffee knowledge

Driver (licensed)

Tools

Google Suite

Email

Operations applications

Job description

Roasting Assistant

Job Description

The Roasting Assistant reports to the Head Roaster and is responsible for providing assistance to the roasting team. Tasks include coffee roasting, weighing and queuing of batches based on roast order, color analysis, color sorting, delivery of finished coffee to the fulfillment team, collection of samples, and upkeep of the roasting floor during production hours.

When not actively roasting, this role focuses on supporting team members running the roaster to allow them to focus on repeatability and quality of roasts. They also play an integral role in green coffee inventory management, which includes green coffee pickup and dropoff to an off-site freezer facility, managing inventory on the roasting floor, and supporting receiving processes. The Roasting Assistant is involved in quality control cuppings for setup, break down, density analysis, and sensory analysis. They are also engaged in scheduled roaster maintenance and cleaning.

Responsibilities

• Perform production roasting using 7kg and 35kg Loring machines under the direction of the Head Roaster.
• Weigh, sort, and queue coffee batches based on scheduled roast orders.
• Conduct quality control tests, including color analysis, color sorting, and density analysis.
• Manage green coffee logistics, including stock organization and regular trips to the off-site freezer facility.
• Assist with QC cuppings by handling the physical setup, data collection, and post-tasting breakdown.
• Execute weekly maintenance and routine cleaning on Loring roasting equipment.
• Deliver finished coffee to the fulfillment team members.
• Maintain cleanliness and general upkeep of the roasting facility floor and property.

General Requirements

• Part time (25-29 hours) availability with a proposed schedule of Mon-Fri 7am-9am start time each day. Hours may fluctuate based on order and seasonal volume.
• Be a quick learner who demonstrates a willingness to learn from mistakes and can demonstrate operational problem solving.
• Extremely detail oriented with an aptitude for cleanliness.
• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate in verbal and written formats.
• Proficiency with email, Google Suite, and operations-related applications.
• General coffee knowledge with high coffee curiosity focused on roasting and cupping.
• Comfortable in a structured environment with quality controls and protocols.
• Be a licensed driver and exhibit proficiency to safely operate large vehicles.
• Intentional about decreasing waste and negative environmental impacts.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

• Day to Day: Must be able to lift and move up to 35 pounds and drag or team lift up to 160 pounds multiple times, in a single day.
• Freezer Inventory:: Must be able to lift 50-80 pounds, and able to lift up to 160 pounds repeatedly (with a teammate) multiple times, in a single day.
• In an 8-hour work day: standing/walking 6-8 hours,
• Work requires the following motions: bending, twisting, squatting and reaching, as well as repeated manual motions involving the wrist and elbow.
• Daily exposure to high amounts of caffeine.
• Exposure to FDA approved cleaning chemicals.
• Occasional Exposure to temperatures: <32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing)
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to use or be trained and certified to safely use warehouse equipment, including forklift, handcarts, pallet jacks, and ladders.

Desired Work Experience

• Minimum 1 year working in specialty coffee (retail, production, roasting, etc.)

Compensation

• $18-$21/hr

Benefits include:

• Paid time off
• Volunteer time off
• Retirement Plan
• Complementary meals, coffee, and tea

Reports To

Head Roaster

Note

The purpose of this document is to provide a general summary of essential responsibilities for the position and is not meant as an exhaustive list. This document does not reflect all job duties or requirements for every position. Requirements build as one progresses through the job levels, so any job duties required at a lower level may be required at the higher level in addition to the duties listed for that higher level. Duties, assignments, and other responsibilities may differ for similar positions based on business conditions, departmental or geographic location, and/or needs for the particular position.