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Lead Roaster Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Equator Coffees

Kitchen Lead

San Francisco, CA

$22/hr

POSITION: Kitchen Lead - Retail Cafe - Round House CLASSIFICATION​: Non-exempt REPORTING ... Today, Equator Coffees is a retail and wholesale coffee roaster and coffee farm owner with twelve ...

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Keyholder Lead

San Diego, CA · On-site

$17.50/hr

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters has an extensive training program where you will learn from some of the best! Barista/Customer Service/ Key Holder Duties & Responsibilities Include: • Greet and interact ...

River Roast

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL

$68K - $72K/yr

Working closely with the Executive Chef, the Sous Chef will help lead daily kitchen operations, mentor our culinary team, and ensure every dish reflects the quality and hospitality River Roast is ...

Equator Coffees

Shift Lead

Sausalito, CA

$19/hr

Shift Lead - Retail Cafe - Sausalito CLASSIFICATION : Non-Exempt REPORTS TO :Reports to the General ... Today, Equator Coffees is a retail and wholesale coffee roaster and coffee farm owner with twelve ...

Equator Coffees

Shift Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$21/hr

Shift Lead - Retail Cafe - Round House CLASSIFICATION : Non-Exempt REPORTS TO : Reports to the ... 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 Aug 16, 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead roaster?

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.

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.

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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,817 per year, or $25.4 per hour.

Kitchen Lead

Equator Coffees

San Francisco, CA

$22/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

POSITION: Kitchen Lead - Retail Cafe - Round House

CLASSIFICATION​:  Non-exempt

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

  • Reports to the General Manager

COMPENSATION: Starting $22/hour

About Equator
In 1995, Equator Founders Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell began their values-driven path, roasting coffee in a Marin County, CA garage. Possessing an obsessive commitment to green coffee sourcing and unparalleled roasting expertise, Equator has committed over 30 years to sustainable and fair trade coffee practices all in the name of creating a remarkable coffee experience for consumers. Today, Equator Coffees is a retail and wholesale coffee roaster and coffee farm owner with twelve retail cafes throughout California—from Marin County to San Francisco to Oakland to Los Angeles and beyond. Throughout the years, Equator Coffees has spearheaded industry-leading sourcing and roasting practices, and has forged progressive partnerships with Michelin-starred chefs, specialty grocers, tech campuses, and more. Women-owned, LGBTQ-founded, and an early adopter of Fair Trade and Regenerative Organic certifications, Equator Coffees is the first California coffee roaster to achieve B Corp Certification.

Position Summary 
The Kitchen Lead plays a key role in maintaining smooth daily kitchen operations at the café level. This position is responsible for high standards of food quality, safety, organization, and prep, while leading and supporting a strong team culture. The Kitchen Lead is a working lead position with no direct people management responsibilities, but one that sets the tone for excellence through example and training.

Key Responsibilities
  • Oversee kitchen prep and execution during service, ensuring consistent quality and presentation
  • Maintain back-of-house standards for cleanliness, sanitation, and organization
  • Collaborate with the GM on kitchen schedules by providing input on team availability and operational needs
  • Place vendor orders and manage vendor relationships to ensure quality, timeliness, and competitive pricing
  • Perform inventory counts and manage product rotation to minimize waste
  • Lead the team in food safety and sanitation practices, modeling correct procedures
  • Support the training and onboarding of new BOH staff; demonstrate prep methods and kitchen systems in alignment with standards
  • Collaborate with GM and retail team on seasonal menus, specials, and café events
  • Support recipe development and documentation in collaboration with retail operations
  • Communicate proactively with GM regarding team performance, scheduling needs, or kitchen-related concerns
  • Act as a key contributor to a positive and supportive kitchen culture
Qualifications and Requirements
  • 2+ years of BOH experience; lead or supervisory experience strongly preferred
  • Strong food safety knowledge and current Food Handler Card required
  • Knowledge of kitchen equipment, prep techniques, and cooking procedures
  • Ability to maintain a clean, efficient, and organized kitchen under pressure
  • Excellent communication and follow-through
  • Works well independently and as part of a team
  • Demonstrates leadership, maturity, and professionalism
  • Experience reviewing financial reports and meeting budgets 
  • Able to work full time (the work regularly demands more than 45 hours per week) including variable hours such as early morning, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays 
  • Ability to lead change, deal with ambiguity, and prioritize in a fast-paced environment 
  • Experience with POS touch screen, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and other computer skills 
  • Minimum High School or GED 
  • Must be 16 years of age or older
Compensation
  • Available to all employees
    • Commuter Benefits - pre-tax parking and transit
    • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Physical and mental health, financial and legal coaching available at no cost to the employee 
    • Free mental health app subscription
    • Employee discount on merchandise, coffee gear, and at Equator cafes
    • Continuing coffee education classes
    • Free coffee
    • Paid Time Off for voting on Election Day
  • After 60 days as an employee at Equator
    • Healthcare Benefits (for full-time employees working over 30 hours per week)
      • 100% employer-covered premium medical insurance 
      • Voluntary Insurance Plans - dental, vision, long-term disability, pet, and supplementary life insurance
      • Employer covered life insurance premium
      • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) - healthcare and daily dependent care
  • After 90 days as an employee at Equator
    • Holiday Pay after 90 days of employment. Eight Equator-observed holidays per year
    • Paid Time Off with tenured increases for full-time employees
    • 1 paid volunteer day per year 
  • After six months as an employee at Equator
    • 401K with up to a 4% company match on employee contributions

Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

We’d love for you to use the video answer feature for our screening questions! It’s a great way for us to get a better sense of your experience and how comfortable you are discussing your skills. Plus, it helps us see your personality and passion for the role!

This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. Job responsibilities can change according to the operational needs of the business. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant. 

Equator Coffees is an equal-opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, and discharge will be based on competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.