It is a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together. 

Coffee has experienced a true renaissance, sharing the spotlight with wine and craft beer as an artisan beverage. Long gone are the days of tin cans and instant coffee driving retail sales. Today’s coffee lover enjoys a more culinary approach with an interest in the coffee’s origin, it’s roasting, and brewing methods.

This culinary approach to coffee is often referred to as coffee’s third wave movement.

With over 1.3 billion cups of coffee consumed worldwide every day, coffee has become BIG business. According to Allegra Strategies research, ready to drink coffee sales account for $60Billion to $80Billion annually for the global economy.

Today, working in the specialty coffee industry is no longer viewed as a part-time or in-between job, but a viable career opportunity.

While corporate coffee chains make up the bulk of the coffee business, more independent roasting companies and coffee shops are opening every day. When you add coffee equipment, vending suppliers, wholesale coffee suppliers, and retailers to that list,  there are a number of career opportunities to choose from.

If you’re  not afraid of hard work and are willing to be taught, you can turn your passion for coffee into a successful career.

Table of Contents

Types of Coffee Jobs

• Jobs in Production
  • Production Assistant
  • Production Manager
  • Coffee Roaster
  • Coffee Taster / Cupper
    • Q Grader Program: Getting Your Q Grader Certification
  • Mechanical & Roaster Technician
• Jobs in Sales & Marketing
  • Green – Coffee Buyer
  • Sales Representative
  • Marketing
• Jobs in Hospitality
  • Barista
  • Coffee Store Manager
  • Assistant Store Manager
• Jobs in General Administration

Coffee Resources

• Where To Look For Coffee Jobs
• Education & Certification Opportunities
• Books About Coffee

In this guide, we have endeavored to highlight the variety of jobs within the coffee industry and outline the general job description of each.  In addition, we have provided helpful resources you can use to get things started.

The categories which your career in coffee could fall under:

• Production
• Sales & Marketing
• Hospitality
• General Administration & Operation

This guide focuses on career opportunities related directly to specialty coffee businesses and the production of coffee. The size and production level of any coffee business will determine how many available opportunities there are. Many independent coffee businesses may be completely owner-operated or have just a few key positions that they hire for.

Jobs In Production

Production Assistant

The Production Assistant (sometimes listed as Roasting Assistant) is a position that works under and reports directly to the Production Manager, who may also be the Head Roaster. Production Assistant is a great way to learn every aspect of the coffee industry. You will have responsibilities in the full production process, from inception to shipping.

Essential duties include:

• Preparing packaging materials for shipping
  

  Kicking Horse Coffee

• Labeling of bags and boxes
• Order fulfillment for coffee orders
• Ensuring all orders are filled, packed and shipped
• Communicating inventory levels with the Production Manager
• Performing daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance and cleaning of production equipment

There are multiple levels for production associate, from entry-level to more advanced positions. The more advanced positions may require 2 – 3 years of production experience in a similar field.

Production Manager

Larger coffee roasting companies will have a Production Manager, sometimes referred to as the Plant Manager or Roasting & Packaging Coordinator.

The Production Manager must be experienced in managing the workflow in a manufacturing environment. There is a high level of responsibility in maintaining communications between the coffee roaster, packaging operators, shipping and customer service.

General responsibilities include:

• Ability to operate multiple coffee and tea packaging machines
• Supporting the green coffee handling and roasting processes
• Daily operation of the all packaging equipment types
• Manage production efficiency and troubleshooting equipment failures
• Ensuring Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are maintained

For a Production Manager position, employers are looking for individuals with several years of management and operating  experience. A background in food processing experience and GMP knowledge is also preferred.

Coffee Roaster

Are you right brain dominant? If so, coffee roasting may be a great career choice for you.

For many coffee roasters, a career in roasting is more than just a love for coffee. It is the science of roasting that appeals to their creative and intuitive minds. The challenge of evaluating different coffees in the roasting and cupping process is what gets them up every morning.

A coffee roaster is an expert on all aspects of coffee production. The roasting of the coffee is just one part of this position’s responsibility. From assisting the buyer in the acquisition of green coffee to the blending and packaging, a coffee roaster will manage quality control through each step of the process.

As one moves up in their coffee roasting career, they may graduate to Head Roaster and eventually earn Master Roaster status.

There are three ways to begin a career roasting coffee:

1. Roasting Programs

Coffee roasting programs are a great investment if you are serious about making coffee roasting a career. Roasting coffee is as true craft and science. Quality programs will help you learn from roasting experts the sensory skills needed to consistently produce an excellent product.

These programs are also designed to educate their students in much more than just roasting coffee. Look for a program that also trains in the technical aspects of the roasting equipment. Machine operation, safety protocols, and basic machine maintenance go a long way in building a strong skill set.

When investigating which program is right for you, don’t hesitate to ask about training for inventory control and production management. These skills will give you a well-rounded resume that any coffee roasting company would love to see.

Getting Started:

• Boot Coffee: Boot Coffee offers a variety of training courses priced under $2,500.00.
• SCAA Roaster Pathway Program: The Specialty Coffee Association of America’s (SCAA) educational website offers a number of roasting classes at multiple levels of experience. The SCAA Roaster Pathway program is endorsed by the Roasters Guild.
• IBCA Roasting Classes: The International Barista & Coffee Academy also offers roasting classes from beginner to professional levels.

2. Apprenticeship

Most coffee roasters get their start as an apprentice to a Master Roaster. An online search for “coffee roaster job training” is a great place to begin when looking for opportunities to work under a professional roaster. On-the-job training in coffee production goes a long way when it comes to making coffee roasting a career choice.

Many coffee roasting companies will provide training programs where you can gain experience with the roasting process and equipment. Typically, trainees will cut their teeth on test batches, which allow them to learn how to monitor temperature, roasting time, color and roast levels for the coffee beans.

 

3. Self-Taught

Roasters who are “self-taught” share some of the greatest stories about their coffee roasting experiences. It truly is a trial-and-error approach, honing in on the consistency of the roast and developing your palate for quality taste. Most coffee roasters who are self-taught begin with a small roasting machine or in some cases a popcorn popper will do the trick. Coffee Roaster Job Description: A general job description for a coffee roaster is as follows:

• Experience with a coffee roasting machine including removing moisture from coffee beans, weighing batches of coffee beans in a scale hopper and feeding the beans into the roasting oven.
• Maintaining proper temperature by observing the roaster thermometer and adjusting controls properly.
• Ability to estimate roasting time by observing the color of roasting coffee beans in the roasting oven.
• Properly discharges the roasted beans to the cooling tray.
• Records roasting amounts, types, and blends of roasted coffee beans.

Mid-size to larger coffee roasting businesses will have an experienced Lead or Head Roaster. The lead roasters’ sphere of responsibility starts with the cupping table and follows each step of the production process.

The Duties and Responsibilities of a Lead (Head) Roaster: 

• Responsible to maintain inventory levels for the coffee business, which could include online, retail and wholesale.
• Manage the training of staff on production operations, including roasting, stamping, head sealing, weighing and shipping.
• Tracking and maintaining inventory levels for both green and roasted coffee.
•  Manage the roasting schedule.
•  Serve as the in-house coffee expert and resource for customer coffee questions.
•  Responsible for roasting samples and hosting cuppings related to the green coffee buying program.
• Will work with the Operations Team in roasting experiments, improving inventory accuracy and forecasting, along with consistency in roasting profiles.

For many coffee roasting businesses, the owner-operator is also the Head/Lead Roaster and will hire an Assistant Roaster to work along with them in the production process. Often the Assistant Roaster will be responsible for packaging, labeling, and shipping. Salaries for jobs in production can vary greatly. Average salaries for Coffee Roasters (per payscale.com) are $35,000 annually.

Coffee Taster/Cupper

A career where you get paid to drink coffee all day? Sign me up! Well, there is much more to it than that.

A professional coffee taster, or cupper, must possess a number of skills:

• The ability to assess coffee quality objectively
• Identify, evaluate and articulate the attributes of the coffee
• Detect any defects in the coffee
• Communicate coffee characteristics using accepted industry terminology

A professional coffee taster is able to rate and describe the coffee they are tasting through a method that enables them to compare a variety of coffee samples side by side. For an example of a professional cupping process, see this list of formal cupping instructions from CoffeeCuppers.com. Coffee tasters perform a very important role within the specialty coffee industry. Their services fill the gap between the coffee growers expectations and the buyers demands. The ratings and descriptions from an objective coffee taster allow both parties to communicate and work together in the industry. An average salary for a Coffee Taster / Cupper (via simplyhired) is $30,000 annually.

Q Grader Program: Getting Your Q Grader Certification

To become a professional cupper, you need to complete the Q Grader Program. The Q Grader Program was designed by the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) to create a “skilled and credible body of specialty” coffee cuppers. The certification gives you the credibility as a coffee taster to evaluate Arabica coffees. The course is a 6 day series of exercises and exams with multiple tests that must be passed before qualifying for certification.

Getting Started: 

• Scheduling a Q Grader Class
• Q Study Guide

Q Grader certification is not cheap, so before committing to the investment take some time to practice your tasting skills at home. Better yet, find a coffee tasting and cupping event near you to gain some experience.

Mechanical & Roaster Technician

The Mechanical Technician is responsible for all roasting, packaging, brewing, and dispensing equipment. From in-house to in-field calls, the life of a mechanical technician is fast-paced. If you’re mechanically inclined and like a work environment where every day is different, then a mechanical technician may be the perfect fit. Good communication skills are also necessary. A mechanical tech will deal directly with the customer when it comes to equipment installations, emergency service, maintenance, and equipment exchanges.

Other duties/requirements for a Mechanical Technician include:

• Proficiency with tools, machinery, electricity, and plumbing
• Troubleshoot, repair and maintain equipment
• Ensure proper installation and un-instillation of equipment
• Maintain inventory of equipment and service parts

Larger coffee equipment companies will have a Roaster Technician position. There may be multiple levels available, from entry-level I (Apprenticeship) to more advanced supervisory positions. The Roaster Tech is involved in the assembly and maintenance of coffee roasting machines. This requires a knowledge of electro-mechanical assembly and gas system assembly and testing.

The Skills and Responsibilities of a Roaster Technician will include: 

• Ability to read fabrication and electrical schematics/drawings
•  Knowledge of roaster operation and assembly
• Document creation for the bill of materials (BOM), work instructions, etc.
• Wire electrical and electro-mechanical assemblies and sub-assemblies
• Testing roasters for function and build quality

 Green – Coffee Buyer

Connecting farmers to customers throughout the world, coffee buyers are the link from production to consumption and the gatekeepers for quality in specialty coffee. – Specialty Coffee Association of America

The job of the green coffee buyer is to determine what coffees a roasting company will purchase. Not only is a knowledge of coffee required but managing the relationships and transactions between the grower and the roaster is vital. Many people are attracted to the idea of international travel and visiting coffee producers in exotic places. However, it’s not always exciting. There will be a great deal of time spent in the home office sampling coffees, handling paperwork and coordinating the sale. To put it into perspective, consider that a coffee buyer for Starbucks will spend about 18 weeks out of the year visiting coffee growers and suppliers. The amount of time spent in the field (no pun intended), depends on the amount of coffee the roaster needs to maintain production.

A coffee buyer needs to be business savvy, making daily decisions on:

• managing relationships with suppliers
• the quality of the coffee being purchased
• the price of the coffee and purchasing contracts
• managing coffee inventory
• coffee storage and transport
• shipping and processing protocol
• managing quality control through the process

A successful coffee buyer will also have the following qualifications:

• bilingual (English, Spanish, & Portuguese among others)
• have cupping experience
• have roasting experience
• strong communication skills
• experience in trade & business ( a business degree is a plus)
• ability to withstand high altitudes
• international travel experience

There are not a lot of education programs available for becoming a coffee buyer. Most buyers have started in the coffee industry as baristas in a local coffee shop, learning as much as they could about the industry. However, I did find an online Coffee Buyer course (20 hours) through the SCAA: Coffee Buyer Pathway, which describes itself as, The Coffee Buyer Pathway takes students through a series of online courses built to aid in navigating the complexities of the supply chain. This Pathway presents a unique opportunity to learn from leading importers, growing both a career and a professional network as you embark on a life in coffee. Start Here: Coffee Buyer Pathway  Course Requirements Income potential for Green Coffee Buyers can be substantial with the range listed by insidejobs.com being $31,000 to over $100,000 annually.

Jobs In Sales & Marketing

Sales Representative

Coffee businesses involved in product distribution and corporate sales will have a sales team responsible for representing the company in multiple territories. These Coffee Sales Representatives (sometimes called District Sales Representatives) are the primary contact with both current and potential customers.

Larger businesses may offer a Sales/District Manager position. A Sales Manager will be responsible for multiple territories (sometimes called districts), with a number sales representatives to manage.

While product sales and gaining new customers will be a priority, the sales representative is also responsible in coordinating product deliveries and monitoring compliance with customer contracts.

A knowledge of the current coffee market is a must. Sales Representatives also take an advisory role to keep customers informed of current trends in the industry.

General responsibilities for a Sales Representative are;

• Responsible for acquiring new business
• Advising customers on ways to grow their business including new products, promotions and expanding the customers portfolio
• Build and maintain relationships with the customers
• Conduct product demonstrations, present proposals, and sales growth strategies
• Managing inventory ordered and ensuring product quality
• Ensure brewing systems and other beverage equipment are functioning properly and provide consistent, high-quality products

Marketing

The specialty coffee industry  is experiencing tremendous growth, especially within the independent sector. With each type of coffee business, there is the need for marketing personnel to develop strategies for product campaigns, retail services, loyalty programs, on-premise advertising, promotional advertising, and a digital media.

The size of the coffee business will determine the number of marketing positions that are available. For smaller businesses, the owner/operator usually wears the “marketing” hat. Mid-level to larger businesses will have a dedicated marketing position responsible for brand development.

No matter the size, with every new coffee shop and roaster that opens for business, it increases the competition for consumer dollars. More than ever, brands need to create an identity to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

A brand needs an identity, products need labels, and someone needs to respond to all the tweets from raving fans. – Cindy Molchany, founder of Craft Beverage Jobs

You will find a variety of Marketing positions within the coffee industry;

• Marketing Manager / Director of Marketing
• Brand Manager
• Social Media & Digital Marketing Managers
• Graphic Designer

Coffee businesses, especially coffee shops and bars, provide a uniquely social experience. Word-of-mouth advertising and personal testimony from customers loyal to a brand play an important in any marketing strategy. A good marketing manager will learn to take advantage of these opportunities.

Jobs In Hospitality

Barista

The service industry has a responsibility of guaranteeing that the customers “first impression” of a business is a positive one. For a barista, this responsibility is two-fold. Not only are you engaging with the customer through conversation, but you’re preparing a very complex beverage for them to enjoy.

Most café’s and coffee shops will hire a barista with little or no experience  and commit to on-the-job training. As such, salaries start on the low end – close or at minimum wage.

Most professional barista’s started this way, until they decided that it was something they wanted to make into a career. If a career as a barista is what you are interested in, there are a number of training and certification programs to choose from.

A barista is a coffee professional who has the experience and training to deliver coffee and espresso-based beverages to customers that demonstrate craftsmanship and quality, creating a culinary experience for the customer. – The Barista Guild of America

If you want to know more about the qualifications for a barista, see our article What Are Employees Looking For In A Coffee Barista.

Getting Started: Barista Programs

• SCAA Barista Pathway (A Barista Guild of America sponsored course)
• International Barista & Coffee Academy (Foundation, Intermediate, & Professional levels)
• Counter Culture Training Centers ( Asheville, Atlanta, Bay Area, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Durham, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC. )
• The American Barista & Coffee School (New York & Portland)

Coffee Store Manager

The role of a coffee store/shop manager begins with the ability to multitask. Not only are you responsible for growing sales but you need to inspire your staff to create positive experiences for every customer.

Most coffee shops or coffee bars are looking for candidates with prior restaurant or retail management experience. This would include experience with sales, P&L, recruiting, training and basic computer skills. Salaries vary by market and by store volume.

General responsibilities for a store manager include:

• Meeting and exceeding sales goals
• Controlling operating expenses such as supplies and services
• Minimizing loss through proper cash handling policies, proper staff training, and complying with accounting requirements
• Recruiting, hiring and training staff to provide excellent customer service
• Develop and maintain relationships with vendors

If you’re in an entry-level position, ask if there is an in-house manager training course available. The company may also provide compensation for online training or management curriculum through your local community college programs.

Assistant Store Manager

The Assistant Store Manager handles much of the daily managerial tasks, while supporting the Store Manager. You will be the ‘go to’ person for the store’s day-to-day operations and hold the store managers responsibility when they are away.

If applying with a corporate store, you may be required to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Having at least 1 year of supervisory experience is a plus.

General responsibilities for an assistant store manager include:

• Supporting the Store Manager in recruiting, hiring, and training staff members. This includes new hire training, orientation, certification, and development.
• Assisting the Store Manager in increasing store profits, sales and controlling operating expenses. This includes helping with banking and accounting responsibilities.
• Resolving customer, staff member and store issues
• Placing, receiving, and verifying orders; conducting inventory; controlling waste, dates and rotation of inventory

Jobs In General Administration

Every business, even a small business, needs administrative support. It is the daily administration that keeps the business moving behind the scenes. Two key positions that fall under this category are:

• Administrative Assistant
• Human Resource Assistant

These are key positions for the handling of the general administrative duties of the business and require a certain set of skills, such as;

• Knowledge of computers, databases, software and word processing programs
• Excellent typing and data entry skills
• Strong oral and written skills
• Ability to operate general office equipment (copy machine, fax machine, multi-line telephone systems, and scanner, etc.)
• Proper file maintenance (general office, client, accounting, contract, employee and payroll files)

Tasks for administrative positions may include the following:

• Responsible for drafting documents and business correspondence
• Preparing reports
• Proofreading
• Scheduling
• Telephone support
• Transcribing

Although businesses may not require a college degree for general administration positions, having  some formal education will be a great advantage when applying.

Check business schools, community colleges, and technical schools in your area. They will provide a number of 1 to 2 year courses, certificates, and associate degrees in this field.

Where To Look For Coffee Jobs

As you can see, there are a number of career opportunities in the coffee industry. Did you find a coffee job that’s right for you? Don’t forget to check your local coffee community. That’s a great place to start networking for job opportunities. In addition, here are a few helpful online resources where you can find listings for coffee jobs:

• Craft Beverage Jobs: Coffee Jobs – Yes, we have coffee jobs! You can Subscribe Here and receive updates on new job postings in your area. It’s free!
• Sprudge Jobs: Coffee Jobs – An online source for coffee news with a division for jobs in the specialty coffee industry.
• Craigslist – A great place for finding entry level coffee positions.
• Career Builder: Coffee Jobs – A forum for listing of career opportunities.

Education & Certification Opportunities

• Specialty Coffee Association of America
• International Coffee & Barista Academy
• The American Barista Coffee School
• ILBA Coffee School
• Counter Culture Training Centers
• Coffee Quality Institute 
• Boot Coffee
• Online Barista Training

Books About Coffee

There are some great books available on the subject of coffee. From the history of coffee to the technicalities of the craft, these are helpful resources for any job seeker to learn more about the specialty coffee industry.

     

 

 

Closing Thoughts About Getting A Job in Coffee

The coffee industry is a great place to have a career. No matter what part of the industry you choose to work in, you will find some of the most passionate, creative, and dedicated individuals.

Before you apply for any coffee job, here are a few things to remember:

• Make sure your resume is up-to-date and accurately reflects your job history
• Most employers require a cover letter, so make sure yours is a good one. Let the employer see your passion and connection with coffee coming through. If you need some help, Download our free guide to writing an irresistible cover letter (it helps!).
• Get out and network! At CBJ we see the value of networking in the job market, everyday. Don’t hesitate to ask for introduction, attend coffee events, and engage online with your favorite coffee business. When you’re ready to apply for a job, be sure to remind them that they already know you. It can make all the difference.

Good Luck! We hope that anyone who wants to work in the coffee industry will find their dream job. Be sure to keep us posted on your progress.

Cheers!

Craft Beverage Jobs

NOTE: We will work to keep this guide as updated as possible on a regular basis. If you find an outdated link and/or feel we missed something, please send us a note to: [email protected]

photo credit: Not Just Coffee one year anniversary via photopin (license)