Roastery Operations Manager

The Roastery Operations Manager oversees the roastery’s day-to-day operations, from production planning through product dispatch. This role ensures roasting runs consistently, efficiently, and safely, while meeting quality standards and business targets.

Responsibilities

• Plan production based on demand, machine capacity, raw material availability, and sales targets.

• Oversee receiving, storage, roasting, cooling, packaging, and product dispatch.

• Ensure roasting profiles, recipes, and quality standards are followed consistently.

• Monitor the quality of green and roasted beans, and follow up on cupping results and customer complaints.

• Manage inventory of raw materials, packaging, and finished goods, and maintain accurate stock records.

• Set and monitor operational KPIs, such as production output, defect rates, on-time delivery, productivity, and material loss.

• Manage team schedules, task assignments, training, and performance reviews.

• Maintain workplace cleanliness, occupational safety, and compliance with SOPs.

• Ensure machines and equipment are maintained on schedule and coordinate repairs when needed.

• Control operating costs and identify opportunities to improve efficiency.

• Coordinate with purchasing, quality control, sales, warehouse, and delivery teams.

• Prepare reports on production, inventory, quality, operational issues, and recommended improvements for management.

• Develop and update SOPs and workflows as the roastery grows.

Qualifications

• Minimum diploma or bachelor’s degree in Food Technology, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

• At least 3 years of experience in roastery operations, coffee production, or manufacturing, including at least 1 year leading a team.

• Understanding of coffee roasting processes, green bean characteristics, roast profiles, and basic cupping.

• Ability to plan production schedules, manage inventory, and interpret operational data.

• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional coordination skills.

• Detail-oriented, disciplined, and focused on quality, safety, and achieving targets.

• Proficient with spreadsheets and inventory or production tracking applications.

• Willingness to work hands-on in the production area and adjust schedules to meet operational needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification or training in roasting, cupping, or food safety.

• Experience using roasting machines and roast-profile tracking software.

• Familiarity with quality management, food safety, 5S, or lean manufacturing practices.

• Experience increasing production capacity or launching a new roastery facility.

Success Measures

• Consistent roasted coffee quality.

• Production targets and order fulfillment schedules are met.

• Inventory records are accurate and material loss is controlled.

• Product defects and waste are reduced.

• The team follows SOPs and safety standards.

• Operating costs are controlled and reports are submitted on time.