Roastery & Coffee Quality Assurance Officer

ABOUT THE ROLE

Are you a passionate coffee professional with a sharp palate and a commitment to exceptional quality? Boston Bean Coffee Company is looking for a talented Roastery & Coffee Quality Assurance Officer to join our team.

In this pivotal role, you will own the full quality journey, from green bean sourcing and supplier assessment through to roasting production and final dispatch. This is a hands-on position combining sensory evaluation (cupping), procurement oversight, and production planning to ensure our product range remains consistent, traceable, and of truly exceptional quality.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

2. Supplier & Origin Quality Assessment

1. Receive, catalogue, and inspect green bean samples from prospective new suppliers and origins, assessing for quality, size, moisture, defect count, and ASCA grading compliance.
2. Conduct formal cupping evaluations of all prospective samples using ASCA protocols; prepare written technical assessment reports with scoring, tasting notes, and a clear quality recommendation.
3. Assess prospective suppliers against Boston Bean quality benchmarks, food safety requirements, and ethical sourcing certifications (e.g. Fair Trade, Organic, Rainforest Alliance).
4. Provide technical quality sign-off on new origins or suppliers before approval, flagging any non-conformances or risks to the Operations Manager.

3. Procurement & Green Bean Inventory Management

1. Maintain accurate green bean inventory records and forecast purchasing needs based on production schedules and sales demand.
2. Communicate with approved suppliers regarding coffee contracts, delivery schedules, and pricing; ensure all orders are confirmed in writing.
3. Conduct regular stocktakes and reconcile physical inventory with system records; track stock levels to ensure continuity of supply while minimising overstock and quality risk.
4. Ensure all received green bean lots are quality-inspected and approved before entering production.

4. Roasting Operations & Production Planning

1. Plan and execute roasting schedules to meet demand across retail, wholesale, and online channels.
2. Maintain quality consistency across all blends and single origins in alignment with Boston Bean standards.
3. Maintain and clean roasting equipment; report faults and coordinate servicing promptly.
4. Document roasting profiles and maintain production records; update SOPs as processes evolve.
5. Plan weekly production schedules in alignment with wholesale and retail demand forecasts.
6. Support onboarding and training of roastery assistants in quality and production procedures.

5. Wholesale Order Fulfilment

1. Process, pack, and dispatch wholesale orders accurately and on time.
2. Liaise with wholesale clients to confirm order details and resolve quality or delivery issues promptly.
3. Maintain accurate dispatch records and proof of delivery documentation.
4. Escalate recurring quality complaints from wholesale clients and implement corrective actions.

6. Cold Brew Production

1. Manage cold brew brewing schedule and batch quality.
2. Ensure cold brew supply meets coffee bar and wholesale demand.
3. Maintain brew records and ensure consistent product quality through sensory checks.

7. Quality Systems & Compliance

1. Develop, implement, and maintain roastery quality procedures, SOPs, and inspection checklists.
2. Audit and monitor quality procedures at production and storage stages to ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards.
3. Ensure hygiene standards are observed at all storage, processing, and packing facilities.
4. Maintain quality documentation in a structured, audit-ready format.
5. Identify workflow bottlenecks and recommend process improvements to the Operations Manager.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

1. Demonstrated experience in coffee roasting, green bean quality assessment, or specialty coffee production; Q Grader certification (ASCA) or equivalent is highly desirable.
2. Strong working knowledge of ASCA cupping protocols, green coffee grading standards, and sensory evaluation techniques.
3. High attention to detail and commitment to quality, with strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
4. Comfortable with inventory systems, quality documentation, and spreadsheet reporting; experience in supplier evaluation and sample assessment is an advantage.
5. Passion for coffee craft, origin traceability, and product excellence, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
6. A genuine alignment with Boston Bean's core values and a demonstrated commitment to our local community — someone who takes pride in being part of something bigger than the cup.