Production Roaster

Wonderstate Summary

For us, coffee is a source of wonder. Since 2005, Wonderstate has roasted earnest and extraordinary coffees that honor relationships and champion our collective future.  As the 2010 Roast Magazine Roaster of the Year and five-time Good-Food award winner, our mission continues to expand with three cafes and strong customer relationships in grocery stores, coffee shops, and offices around the Upper-Midwest and all over the country. Yet like the Driftless region we call home, we know you don’t have to be big to make an impact. From our industry-leading minimum price guarantee to farmers, to our 100% solar powered roastery, 5% Giving program, and embracing a healthy work-life balance for all staff, we’re working to do our part.

We're seeking collaborative, curious, and kind people to join us and to build our collective future, together.

Position Overview

The Roaster is responsible for producing exceptional coffee by executing Wonderstate's daily roasting operations with consistency, precision, and attention to quality. This role supports roasting, quality assurance, inventory management, and operational excellence while helping ensure coffee is produced safely, efficiently, and in alignment with Wonderstate's standards.

Working closely with the Coffee Department and Production Team, the Roaster contributes to delivering an exceptional product while honoring the work of our producer partners.

Core Responsibilities

Roasting & Production

• Roast coffee according to established production schedules, roast profiles, and operating procedures.
• Monitor roasting performance to ensure consistency, quality, and production goals are achieved.
• Maintain accurate roasting records, production documentation, and inventory information.
• Support daily production priorities and departmental workflow.

Coffee Quality & Inventory

• Participate in coffee quality assurance activities, including cuppings and sensory evaluations.
• Monitor roast quality and communicate observations or concerns.
• Assist with green coffee receiving, storage, staging, and inventory organization.
• Support inventory accuracy and lot traceability.

Equipment & Operational Excellence

• Perform routine cleaning and preventative maintenance on roasting equipment.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe roasting and warehouse environments.
• Support compliance with food safety, organic certification, and workplace safety standards.
• Identify equipment or operational issues and communicate maintenance needs.

Teamwork & Continuous Improvement 

• Collaborate with Coffee, Production, and Fulfillment teams to support business needs.
• Assist with production, warehouse, and fulfillment activities during peak periods.
• Participate in training, cross-training, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Represent Wonderstate's mission, values, and commitment to exceptional quality in daily work.

Supervisor Responsibilities: None

Requirements & Desired Skills

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to follow established procedures while maintaining consistency and accuracy.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn roasting equipment and software.
• Problem-solving skills with the ability to adapt in a production environment.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Commitment to workplace safety and continuous improvement.
• Passion for ethically sourced, high-quality coffee and supporting producer cooperatives.
• Demonstrates Wonderstate's mission, values, and commitment to honoring relationships
  

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Previous experience in coffee roasting, food production, manufacturing, warehouse operations, or similar production environments preferred.
• Specialty coffee experience preferred but not required.
• Experience operating production equipment or machinery preferred.
• Forklift certification (or willingness to obtain certification) preferred.
• Familiarity with Cropster or similar roasting software is a plus.
  

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and move throughout production environments for extended periods.
• Ability to regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to safely team-lift green coffee bags weighing approximately 132–152 pounds with another team member and move bags from elevated storage to floor level using proper lifting techniques.
• Frequent bending, twisting, reaching, pushing, pulling, and repetitive movement.
• Ability to safely operate roasting and warehouse equipment.
  

Work Environment

• Monday –Thursday core schedule with flexibility based on production needs.
• Work performed in roasting, warehouse, and production environments.
• Exposure to heat, coffee dust, production equipment, noise, and varying temperatures.
• Fast-paced environment requiring attention to detail, adaptability, and teamwork.
  

Other duties

Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with notice.

Wonderstate is an equal opportunity employer.  We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.