SoPo Apprentice Roaster and Equipment Technician

Purpose

This position supports the roasting, maintenance, and daily café operations of SoPo Coffee. The Apprentice Roaster & Equipment Technician is a developing coffee professional who assists with production roasting, equipment maintenance, inventory management, quality control, and customer service while receiving hands-on training in specialty coffee roasting and repair. This role serves as a bridge between Barista and Roaster, preparing team members for future leadership within coffee production and equipment maintenance.

Character Statement

I am a learner and a problem solver. I pursue excellence through attention to detail, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to serving our customers and team. I understand that consistency, quality, and reliability are essential to every cup of coffee we serve.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Café Floor Operations

• Create specialty espresso, tea, and coffee beverages according to SoPo standards.
• Provide exceptional customer service through hospitality and product knowledge.
• Operate cash registers and accurately balance cash drawers.
• Maintain clean and organized workstations.
• Ensure work areas and customer areas remain stocked and presentable.
• Assist with food preparation and service.
• Follow all café preparation, service, cleaning, and safety procedures.
• Successfully complete and maintain all required trainings.

Roasting Operations

• Assist with production roasting, packaging, labeling, inventory management, sample roasting, and wholesale fulfillment.

Quality Control & Coffee Education

• Participate in cuppings, sensory evaluation, espresso dialing, and coffee education initiatives.

Equipment Maintenance & Repair

• Assist with preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, inspections, and maintenance recordkeeping.

Inventory & Operational Support

• Assist with receiving inventory, transporting supplies, supporting events, and operational projects.

Café Floor Coverage Expectation

Employees in this role should expect approximately 20–30% of scheduled hours to be dedicated to front-of-house café coverage, including beverage preparation, customer service, food service support, opening/closing duties, cleanliness, and peak-period support.

Skills & Knowledge Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Friendly, professional, and service-oriented attitude.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Flexible scheduling availability.
• Interest in specialty coffee, roasting, and equipment maintenance.

Growth & Development

Training includes coffee roasting fundamentals, roast profiling, green coffee evaluation, cupping, brewing science, preventative maintenance, grinder and espresso machine repair, wholesale operations, and leadership development.

Comments

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. Employees may be required to perform additional duties as assigned. This document does not create an employment contract and employment remains at-will.