Roasting/Production Assistant

Coffee Roaster & Production Assistant About Us Founded in 1993, Small World Coffee has grown to include two bustling cafés and a thriving wholesale and mail-order roasting operation. We are passionate about creating spaces of connection and belonging, while serving coffee experiences that keep people coming back. About the Role We're looking for a mechanically inclined, coffee-loving problem-solver to join our team in a unique dual role: Coffee Roaster & Production Assistant. This position combines technical and sensory accuracy with roastery production support, offering variety, skill development, and the chance to directly impact both our retail and wholesale customer experience. In this role, you'll act as both a roaster and production assistant. As a roaster, you will roast assigned batches for the day, manage roast profiles, and carefully log production data. As a production assistant, you will support various stations—from green bean handling, blending, and packaging, to local deliveries. Across all duties, constant quality control and a commitment to flavor excellence are imperative.

What You'll Do Roastery Operations:

Execute daily roast schedules, monitor roast profiles for consistency, and log detailed production and roast data.

Quality Control & Sensory Analysis:

Participate in regular cuppings, evaluate roast quality, and ensure every batch meets our flavor benchmarks.

Green Coffee & Inventory Management:

Assist with receiving green coffee freight, monitoring green bean inventory, and staging coffee for daily roasting.

Blending & Packaging:

Work various production stations to blend, grind, package, and label coffee accurately and efficiently.

Fulfillment & Delivery:

Assist with fulfilling mail orders, prepping wholesale shipments, and executing local deliveries to our cafés and wholesale partners.

Maintenance & Cleanliness:

Perform routine preventative maintenance and thorough cleaning of the roasting equipment, destoner, grinder, and packaging machinery to maintain a food-safe environment.

Team Collaboration:

Communicate clearly with internal teams regarding stock levels, production timelines, and roast quality. Qualifications We're Looking For Previous experience in specialty coffee roasting or professional production/manufacturing environments is a plus, but we are willing to train the right candidate with a strong palate and work ethic. Excellent sensory skills (taste and smell) and a strong desire to develop expertise in coffee profiles. Highly organized with strong attention to detail and accurate data-logging skills. Mechanically inclined enough to perform basic machine cleaning and maintenance. Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including lifting heavy coffee bags (up to 150lbs team-lifted, or regular 50-60lbs lifting) and standing for long periods. A valid driver's license and a clean driving record for local deliveries. Why You'll Love Working With Us This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, thrives on problem-solving, and wants to grow with a company that values both craft and community. You'll receive structured training, ongoing skill development, and opportunities for career growth—all while working in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Compensation & Benefits Hourly Rate:

$26-$30/hr (based on experience)

Schedule:

Full-time, 30-40 hours per week. Typical work week is Monday-Friday with evenings and weekends as needed. Perks & Benefits Health insurance options Simple IRA retirement plan NJ Sick Pay (used internally as PTO) Additional Paid Time Off (after 1 year) Employee discount in cafes Free coffee every week Annual staff parties and community celebrations Ongoing training and professional development Opportunities for advancement Contact Apply online at www.smallworldcoffee.com To apply for this job please visit smallworldcoffee.com.