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Lead Roaster Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Sales Manager

Boston, MA · On-site

$80K - $160K/yr

... Jaho Coffee Roaster. In this role, you will be responsible for identifying, targeting, and ... We are looking for a dependable and experienced Sales Manager to lead and grow our wholesale ...

Sales Manager

Boston, MA · On-site

$80K - $160K/yr

... Jaho Coffee Roaster. In this role, you will be responsible for identifying, targeting, and ... We are looking for a dependable and experienced Sales Manager to lead and grow our wholesale ...

Lead Cook

Wayne, PA · On-site

$22 - $24/hr

Lead Cook City/State: Wayne, PA Hours Per Week: Full Time Pay Rate: $22.00-$24.00/hr Pay Frequency ... Bake, roast, broil, and steam meats, fish, vegetables, and other foods. * Season, weigh, measure ...

Sales Manager

Salem, MA

$80K - $160K/yr

... Jaho Coffee Roaster. In this role, you will be responsible for identifying, targeting, and ... We are looking for a dependable and experienced Sales Manager to lead and grow our wholesale ...

Sales Manager

Salem, MA · On-site

$80K - $160K/yr

... Jaho Coffee Roaster. In this role, you will be responsible for identifying, targeting, and ... We are looking for a dependable and experienced Sales Manager to lead and grow our wholesale ...

Lead Cook City/State: Westboro, MA Hours Per Week: Full Time Starting Pay Rate: $22.00/hr ... Bake, roast, broil, and steam meats, fish, vegetables, and other foods. * Season, weigh, measure ...

Lead Cook

Wayne, PA

$22 - $24/hr

Lead Cook City/State: Wayne, PA Hours Per Week: Full Time Pay Rate: $22.00-$24.00/hr Pay Frequency ... Bake, roast, broil, and steam meats, fish, vegetables, and other foods. * Season, weigh, measure ...

Sales Manager

Boston, MA · On-site

$80K - $160K/yr

... Jaho Coffee Roaster. In this role, you will be responsible for identifying, targeting, and ... We are looking for a dependable and experienced Sales Manager to lead and grow our wholesale ...

Sales Manager

Boston, MA · On-site

$80K - $160K/yr

... Jaho Coffee Roaster. In this role, you will be responsible for identifying, targeting, and ... We are looking for a dependable and experienced Sales Manager to lead and grow our wholesale ...

Take the Helm and Lead with Purpose At Mothership Coffee Roasters, we're looking for a Shift Lead who is both kind and works hard - someone who thrives on speed, leads with confidence, and motivates ...

Cafe Shift Lead

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

$14 - $21/hr

Take the Helm and Lead with Purpose At Mothership Coffee Roasters, we're looking for aShift Lead who is both kind and works hard - someone who thrives on speed, leads with confidence, and motivates ...

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

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

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Lead Roaster information

See salary details

$11

$25

$44

How much do lead roaster jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 4, 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:
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.
Keyholder Lead

$17.50/hr

Part-time

Retirement

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • Competitive salary
  • Employee discounts
  • Flexible schedule
  • Opportunity for advancement
  • Training & development

JOIN THE BIRD ROCK COFFEE ROASTERS TEAM AT OUR WATERFRONT CAFE AND MAKE GREAT COFFEE HAPPEN
Coffee, people, and positive community involvement is what we focus on at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters. We are looking for positive and energetic team players with outstanding service skills who are driven and passionate about coffee and people. 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 with all customers providing everyone with an excellent experience in our stores.
• Maintain a positive demeanor in a busy environment where multi-tasking, cleaning, and effective communication are requirements.
• Prepare batch brew and pour over coffee according to our standards of quality.
• Maintain coffee knowledge on current offerings and confidently and accurately communicate product information to customers.
• Taste coffee each shift worked to improve product knowledge.
• Properly handle and maintain all coffee brewing equipment.
• Follow cash handling and cash register policies and procedures.
• Communicate with team members and management to solve problems and improve service.
• Count store cash drawer and safe daily. Prepare and record cash deposits.
• Delegate team member daily breaks and ensure all labor laws are being followed.
• Lock and unlock store when scheduled accordingly.
Requirements:
  • Customer service experience
  • Cafe/barista experience
  • Weekend/evening availability
  • 25-30 hours a week

Please follow these steps to apply to all Bird Rock Coffee Roasters jobs
  1. Log on to and click the "show me all jobs" link.
  2. Click on your desired role/location that you are interested in working at. If you are open to working at multiple cafe locations, please apply to any and all that you would like to be contacted back about. Make sure to note to the hiring manager any and all other locations you have applied to.
  3. Follow the instructions to upload your resume and complete your user profile in our hiring database.
  4. You will be contacted back shortly with a quick assessment to be filled out, then an interview will be set up as the final step before onboarding and training.
  5. You can also find a link to our hiring database at under the "About" tab and following the "Join our team" link.

*If you would like to also apply in person which we highly encourage, please drop off a resume at your desired location/locations
See you soon and thank you for your time!!
Compensation: $17.50 per hour
JOIN TEAM BIRD ROCK COFFEE!
We are looking for exceptional, inspirational and motivated team members.
Recognized as Roaster of the Year in 2012-a national once-in-a-lifetime award given by Roast Magazine-Bird Rock Coffee Roasters is proud to have put Direct Sourced, Single Origin, exceptional coffee on the map in San Diego. A regular contributor to the international coffee industry, a consistent winner of , and the , the recipient of a , and with a Q-Grader certified Director of Coffee on site, Bird Rock's staff is sought after throughout the world for their coffee expertise. Going beyond the perfect latte, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters has a top-quality roasting program on site, a pour-over bar featuring some of the best, seasonal varietals, monthly staff cuppings, and a deep dive into the selection process and all things coffee. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters goes beyond the confines of the fair trade structure and engages in , and is proud to serve the best coffee, prepared with the utmost respect to those who grew it.
THE COMMUNITY
At Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, we believe in giving back-to the farmers and to our own community. We're actively involved in almost every community event in Bird Rock because it's important to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters takes pride in showcasing the talents of local artists and performers of the Bird Rock Community. To participate or inquire about displaying your artwork in Bird Rock Coffee Roasters' Coffee Bar, please Bird Rock Coffee Roasters.