Coffee Roaster Apprentice

APPRENTICE COFFEE ROASTER FOR BONGO JAVA

Department: Production / Roasting

Reports To: Head Roaster / Production Manager

Employment Type: Full Time Hourly Location: Bongo Roasting Co., Nashville, TN

Rate: $19-22/hour

Benefits: Eligible Healthcare Benefits

Position Overview

The Apprentice Coffee Roaster is an entry-level position for someone interested in developing a career in coffee roasting while becoming an essential part of Bongo’s production team.

This hybrid role combines coffee roasting, production fulfillment, quality control, and general roastery operations. Working alongside experienced roasting and production staff, the Apprentice will develop the technical, sensory, organizational, and production skills needed to support a professional roasting operation.

The ideal candidate is curious about coffee, takes ownership of their work, asks thoughtful questions, responds well to feedback, communicates problems early, and takes pride in both the coffee and the details that make consistent production possible.

CORE RESPONSIBILITY

Roasting & Quality

• Assist with daily roasting under the direction of the Head Roaster or Production Manager.
• Prepare, weigh, stage, and verify green coffee prior to roasting.
• Learn and execute established roast profiles, recipes, and production specifications.
• Monitor roast variables and accurately record production data using roasting software.
• Assist with roast evaluation, cupping, sensory calibration, and quality-control processes.
• Identify and communicate deviations from established standards.
• Develop an understanding of how green coffee, equipment, environmental conditions, and roast decisions affect the final cup.
• Learn proper operation, cleaning, and basic maintenance of roasting equipment.
• Follow standards required in a USDA Organic certified roasting facility, including traceability, documentation, handling, and organic integrity.

Production & Fulfillment

• Weigh, grind, package, seal, label, and stage roasted coffee according to specifications.
• Fulfill wholesale, retail, and other orders accurately and efficiently.
• Verify product, quantity, labeling, and destination before orders leave production.
• Assist with green coffee receiving, inventory, palletizing, shipping, and warehouse organization.
• Maintain an organized production environment and communicate inventory discrepancies.
• Meet production schedules while maintaining quality standards.
• Regularly lift 40–70 lbs., with occasional team/equipment-assisted lifting of bulk sacks up to 150 lbs.

Safety & Operations

• Follow GMP, sanitation, food safety, and workplace safety procedures.
• Complete production and quality-control documentation accurately.
• Maintain clean, safe, and organized work areas and equipment.
• Assist with cleaning and preventive maintenance of production equipment.

Learning & Development

• Participate in structured roasting education, hands-on training, cuppings, and sensory exercises.
• Develop foundational knowledge of green coffee, processing, origins, roast development, sensory evaluation, and extraction.
• Learn to identify common roasting defects and inconsistencies.
• Seek feedback, apply instruction, and progressively take on greater roasting responsibility.
• Advance toward independently executing established roast profiles as proficiency is demonstrated.

Desired Qualifications

Previous experience in coffee, food production, manufacturing, warehousing, or another production environment is helpful but not required.

• Strong interest in learning coffee roasting and production.
• Basic familiarity with coffee or specialty coffee is preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to follow detailed procedures and specifications.
• Ability to work efficiently in a physically active production environment.
• Demonstrated willingness to learn, accept feedback, and work as part of a team.

Pay: $19.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• On-the-job training
• Professional development assistance
• Store discount
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person