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Lead Roaster Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Highwire Coffee Roasters

Lead Roaster

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$25 - $32/hr

We are looking to bring an experienced, full-time Lead Roaster onto our team to oversee daily roasting operations in our Emeryville Roastery. Reporting to the Director of Coffee , the primary ...

Highwire Coffee Roasters

Lead Roaster

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$25 - $32/hr

We are looking to bring an experienced, full-time Lead Roaster onto our team to oversee daily roasting operations in our Emeryville Roastery. Reporting to the Director of Coffee , the primary ...

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FreshBrew Coffee & Tea

Lead Roaster

Houston, TX · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

Roasting Operations Reports to: Director of Operations Type: Full-Time The Lead Roaster is the senior hands-on roasting expert on the production floor, responsible for day-to-day roasting operations ...

Keurig Dr Pepper

Roaster

Essex Junction, VT · On-site

$26.52/hr

As a Roaster I , you will play a key role in maintaining the continuous flow of coffee production ... Lead and support process improvement initiatives that cross functional teams Teamwork & Leadership

Kuppa Joy

* Head Coffee Roaster

Clovis, CA · On-site

You will roast our portfolio of coffee blends in accordance with company standard operating ... Lead team on all coffee and cold brew production and ensure companys superior quality is ...

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Kuppa Joy

* Head Coffee Roaster

Clovis, CA · On-site

You will roast our portfolio of coffee blends in accordance with company standard operating ... Lead team on all coffee and cold brew production and ensure company's superior quality is ...

Westrock Coffee

Roast and Grind Operator

Conway, AR · On-site

Roaster I will also Share sample roasting responsiblities with the roasting team lead to ensure quality. * Perform other duties as assigned by management. Qualifications: * 1-2 years' experience in a ...

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Lead Position

La Jolla, CA · On-site

$18.25/hr

BIRD ROCK COFFEE ROASTERS IS HIRING AT OUR newest La Jolla location! PART OR FULL TIME SHIFTS ARE ... Customer Service/Lead Duties & Responsibilities Include: *Have a love and passion for coffee and ...

Coldfire Roaster LLC

Warehouse Assistant

Houston, TX · On-site

$13.75 - $16.50/hr

Warehouse Lead / Warehouse Supervisor Industry: Coffee Roasting + Manufacturing Position Summary We are seeking a dependable and detail-oriented Warehouse Assistant to support daily operations in our ...

Equator Coffees

Kitchen Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$22/hr

POSITION: Kitchen Lead CLASSIFICATION : Non-exempt REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: * Reports to the ... Today, Equator Coffees is a retail and wholesale coffee roaster and coffee farm owner with twelve ...

Round House - Equator Coffees

Kitchen Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$22/hr

Kitchen Lead CLASSIFICATION​: Non-exempt REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: * Reports to the General ... Today, Equator Coffees is a retail and wholesale coffee roaster and coffee farm owner with twelve ...

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Lead Roaster information

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$11

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How much do lead roaster jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead roaster in the United States is $25.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $27.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a roaster job description?

A lead roaster is responsible for overseeing the coffee roasting process, ensuring beans are roasted to desired profiles, and maintaining quality standards. The role involves operating roasting equipment, monitoring temperature and time, and collaborating with quality control and production teams. Strong sensory skills and knowledge of roasting techniques are essential for this position.

What does a roaster do?

A lead roaster is responsible for roasting coffee beans to develop flavor profiles, operating roasting equipment, and ensuring quality control. They often monitor temperature, time, and airflow during the roasting process and may adjust settings to achieve desired results, requiring knowledge of roasting techniques and sensory evaluation. The role may also involve maintaining equipment and collaborating with other staff to produce consistent coffee batches.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Roaster, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Roaster, you need deep knowledge of coffee bean varieties, roasting profiles, and quality control, often supported by experience in specialty coffee and relevant training or certification (such as SCA certifications). Familiarity with commercial roasting equipment, production software, and inventory management systems is typically required. Strong attention to detail, leadership, and effective communication skills are essential for managing roasting teams and maintaining consistency. These skills ensure the delivery of high-quality coffee products, efficient production workflows, and a cohesive team environment.

Do coffee roasters make a lot of money?

Lead roasters typically earn a moderate to high salary depending on experience, location, and the size of the operation. Entry-level roasters usually earn less, while experienced professionals with certifications and specialized skills can command higher wages. Overall, coffee roasting can be a financially rewarding career for those with expertise and dedication.

What does a Lead Roaster do?

A Lead Roaster oversees the coffee roasting process to ensure beans are roasted to perfection according to quality standards. They manage the roasting schedule, monitor equipment, and adjust roast profiles to achieve desired flavors. Additionally, Lead Roasters often supervise roasting staff, maintain inventory, and ensure safety and cleanliness in the roasting facility. Their expertise is crucial in producing consistent, high-quality coffee for cafes or retail.

What are some common challenges Lead Roasters face in maintaining coffee quality during large-scale production?

Lead Roasters often encounter the challenge of ensuring consistency and quality when roasting high volumes of coffee. Variations in green bean batches, changes in humidity, and equipment calibration can all impact flavor profiles. To address this, Lead Roasters must closely monitor roasting parameters, keep detailed logs, and frequently cup the coffee for quality control. Collaboration with production teams and regular equipment maintenance are also essential for minimizing inconsistencies and upholding quality standards.

How to become a roaster?

To become a lead roaster, gain experience by working as a coffee roaster or in a related role, and develop skills in roasting techniques, flavor profiling, and equipment operation. Many professionals pursue certifications from industry organizations and learn on commercial roasting machines to advance to leadership positions.

What is the difference between Lead Roaster vs Roaster?

AspectLead RoasterRoaster
CredentialsOften requires certifications in coffee roasting or barista trainingTypically requires basic coffee roasting experience or certification
Work EnvironmentLeads roasting team, manages quality control, and oversees roasting processesPerforms roasting tasks under supervision, focuses on executing roasting profiles
Industry UsageUsed in specialty coffee shops, roasteries, and cafes with multiple staffCommon in cafes, small roasteries, or entry-level roles

The main difference between a Lead Roaster and a Roaster is that the Lead Roaster manages the roasting process, oversees quality, and leads the team, while the Roaster primarily focuses on executing roasting tasks. The Lead Roaster typically has more experience, certifications, and responsibilities in quality control and team leadership.

More about Lead Roaster jobs
What job categories do people searching Lead Roaster jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Roaster jobs are:
Lead Roaster jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Roaster job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $52,817 per year, or $25.4 per hour.
Lead Roaster

Lead Roaster

Highwire Coffee Roasters

Emeryville, CA • On-site

$25 - $32/hr

Full-time

Medical, Vision

Posted yesterday

Job description

Highwire Coffee Roasters was established in Oakland In 2011. Since the beginning, Highwire has sought to offer coffees and create spaces that exhibit what we call "Approachable Excellence". We explicitly aim to serve some of the best coffee in the world while centering our communities in a welcoming, non-fussy way. We have since expanded from our first shop to include 8 retail locations in the East Bay. We are looking to bring an experienced, full-time Lead Roaster onto our team to oversee daily roasting operations in our Emeryville Roastery.

Reporting to the Director of Coffee, the primary responsibilities of the Lead Roaster will include roasting, quality control, inventory management, and mentorship of apprentice roasting staff. The best candidate for this position will be an experienced coffee roaster with an unflappably positive attitude and a keen sense of how to coax the best expression of a coffee through the roasting process, exhibiting the completeness and balance Highwire is known for.

Additional duties will include:

  • Understand all start-of-day procedures for collecting orders and create a production roast list
  • Manage our in-house green coffee inventory, including forecasting and releases
  • Update blend recipes and communicate changes to staff
  • Share relevant roast and other coffee info with retail staff to increase their visibility to roasting and understanding of our coffees
  • Comment on espresso dial-ins and Coffee of the Week posts to increase dialog and understanding
  • Scoop, weigh, and lift green coffee into the roaster, and roasted coffee out of the roaster
  • Maintain all roasting equipment using weekly, monthly and yearly checklists
  • Maintain and create SOP documentation for all roasting related tasks
  • Ensure quality control through daily cupping of production roasts with roastery staff
  • Maintain all necessary logs for Organic Certification
  • Maintain all logs for Bay Area Air Quality compliance
  • Data log all roasts through Cropster and adhere to roast recipes
  • Fill in on production duties as needed
  • Maintain a clean and safe working environment
  • Unload weekly coffee deliveries and organize pallets in the roastery
  • Participate in weekly roastery staff meeting
  • Take constructive criticism about the roasting process
  • Provide constructive feedback to others and collaborate around solving issues
  • Aim to create and support a positive work environment at all times

Experience:

  • 5+ years production roasting experience (preferably on Probat UG-22)
  • Functional knowledge of Cropster
  • You know how to cup and are comfortable talking about your sensory experience
  • Sample roasting experience is a plus
  • Experience with Google Docs and Shopify are desirable
  • Though this position is not expected to manage other team members, you are expected to share your knowledge and experience, mentoring new roastery staff

Based on experience, this position is offered at an hourly rate between $25.00 and $32.00.

In addition to monetary compensation, Highwire's benefits package includes opportunities for 70% subsidized medical and vision insurance.

Robert Myers and Rich Avella first met in the mid-1990s and share an approach to coffee we call "approachable excellence".
Our shops are welcoming spaces where we connect around our enthusiasm for coffee, our communities, and our love of music. Our coffees are always the freshest green coffees available in any season and we roast them along a roast spectrum that captures the range of coffee lovers' tastes from lighter, bright Single Origins, to the deeper chocolatey body-forward coffees typical of a darker roasted coffee.

Education:{"credentialcategory":"high school","@type":"EducationalOccupationalCredential"}Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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