Assistant Roaster - Porthleven, Cornwall

About Origin

We’ve come a long way since 2004—and we’re just getting started.

As one of the longest-standing independent coffee roasters on UK shores, the love of coffee fuels everything we do. We work to challenge the expected, crafting tangible experiences and products that are impactful and progressive. We work hard, and with integrity, to shape and share exceptional coffee, fairly, with all. As an B Corp accredited coffee roaster, we’re not here to jump on bandwagons. No greenwashing. No jargon: an inclusive, global community, listening and speaking up for the future we believe in.

We build, nurture, and champion relationships at the source, celebrating farmers, cooperatives, and producers. We support direct trade, traceability, and quality. From crop, to cup, every step of our journey is considered; we’re proud to be held accountable, always striving for better ways to do business, placing people and planet before profit.

Dedicated, curious, driven, and open-minded, we’re not afraid to push boundaries and shape positive change. With a growing team of award-winning coffee professionals, a world-class coffee programme, six coffee shops, an ever-evolving product range, we continue to work hard to create inclusive spaces within Origin as well as everywhere we go, where conversations can grow. We move fast yet stay grounded, cutting paths through the noise, and have a lot of fun along the way. We’re here for ideas, rolling up our sleeves, and sharing new perspectives. Opportunities are on the table—yours to shape, with full support.

Join us in pursuit of coffee excellence.

The role overview

As an Assistant Roaster, you will be responsible for learning and assisting in the coffee roasting process to ensure the production of high-quality roasted coffee beans from Origin’s roastery in Porthleven, Cornwall.

Under the guidance of our Head Roaster, Quality Coordinator and senior Production Roasters, you will gain training and hands-on experience in operating roasting equipment, monitoring roast profiles, and ensuring consistency and flavour development. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about coffee and seeking to develop their skills in the art of coffee roasting for one of the UKs leading specialty coffee roasters.

Key Responsibilities

• Safe procedural operation of coffee roasting equipment, ensuring correct input and maintenance of proper settings and following all specified warm-up, between batch, idle and cool down protocols.
• Accurate identification and loading of green coffee, following safe handling procedures and using appropriate equipment.
• Following roast schedules in accordance with daily order and stock-building requirements
• Close monitoring of roast profiles, adjusting as necessary to achieve specified targets for time, end temperature and development.
• Recognising and reporting profile issues to the Head Roaster, Quality Coordinator and Head of Coffee.
• Assisting with regular roasting machine maintenance, under guidance of the Head Roaster
• Assisting in the space management of the green coffee store, shifting pallets and bags between day stock and the green store following set manual handling policies, monitoring the usage and inventory, and communicating any stock issues or damage to the Head Roaster.
• Maintaining high levels of cleanliness and organisation in the roasting and cupping area, following a clean-as-you-go process and adhering to food safety, hygiene, production flow and operational safety standards.
• Learning and following quality control procedures to ensure roasted coffee meets Origin’s standards and specifications.
• Participation in production cupping sessions to evaluate roast quality and consistency, identify flavour characteristics, and provide feedback for continuous improvement.
• Supporting quality control tasks as needed, such as set up & clean down of cupping sessions, conducting physical QC tests
• Supporting other production functions as needed, such as packaging, labelling, and assisting in the despatch processes.

Requirements

Essential qualities to have

• A strong passion for speciality coffee and developing your career
• Physical fitness - the ability to lift heavy loads and work on your feet all day
• A diligent, methodical and process-driven work style, along with great problem-solving skills
• Honesty & accountability, showing the confidence to report mistakes and take responsibility for your actions
• The ability to remain calm under pressure and prioritise tasks and responsibilities
• The ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team
• Precision and punctuality, with great timekeeping skills
• Highly organised, with a drive to maintain a clean, safe and tidy work space at all times
• Focused attention to detail, as well as being curious, observant, questioning & critically minded 
• Great communication skills; able to receive and follow instructions and feedback, as well as report on key production information to Head Roaster, Head of Coffee and wider Production Team
• The ability to show initiative and be quickly adaptable to changing daily demands, as well as to the roll out of new policies, procedures and processes
• Numerate – a good ability to read numerical and graphical information to make decisions on the fly.

Desirable qualities to have

• A healthy mix of humility and ambition, with a desire to develop your career in speciality coffee
• Experience working in a food production warehouse
• Experience with MO365 including Microsoft Excel.
• Prior knowledge of speciality coffee roasting, or experience working in a speciality coffee business
• Cupping experience and/or sensorial skills, with a good sense of taste and smell
• An understanding of coffee, including different varieties, origins, flavour profiles, and processing methods.
• An understanding of the broad philosophical values of the speciality coffee industry.

Benefits

Salary

£25,000 FTE per annum.

Nature of contract and working pattern

Permanent and full-time. Origin Coffee supports flexible working options for the right candidate who can meet both the role and the needs of the business.

Holidays

28 days holiday, plus 8 bank holidays and your birthday off (pro-rata for part-time)

Pension

Employer (5%) and Employee (3%) pension contribution – employees can increase their contribution.

Mental Health and Physical First Aid Training

We provide our employees with a toolkit for preventing and addressing mental health crises in and out of work, providing genuine support, safety, and happiness in the workplace.

Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, IVF Journey Leave and Pay

We recognise the importance of family and provide enhanced pay to support all parents and their journey to becoming one.

Transitioning at Work Policy

We want everyone at Origin Coffee to feel comfortable being themselves at work. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and supporting our colleagues who identify as trans, and providing support through any transitioning process.

Financial Well-being Support

We have partnered with Wagestream, a financial well-being provider that offers financial coaching, money management, debt advice, and individually tailored advice.

Employee Assistant Programme

A comprehensive suite of support from our EAP Hospitality Action, including help with physical, mental, and financial wellness at work.

Menopause and Period Policy

We recognise the impact this can have in the workplace and provide a flexible and supportive way for employees affected, including making work and working time adjustments.

Continued Professional Development

We invest in all our employees by supporting personal development and encouraging you to broaden your experience and learning potential, led by you.

SCA Training

Everyone who works for Origin can embark on the SCA training programme. Depending on your learning readiness, you can dip your toe in or immerse yourself fully. It’s pretty addictive!

An Employee Referral Scheme

Once you join Origin, you’ll want to introduce like-minded people to us. When you do, they settle in and pass their probation, and you earn £200

Other

Two days per year off for volunteering, cycle to work scheme, free coffee at work and to take home, discounts in all our cafes and on our merchandise and partners. And, of course, regular social and team events serve exceptional food, drink, and fantastic coffee!

Hiring Process

Initial phone screening call (30 mins) Capabilities and culture-t interview onsite or remote depending on location and availability (1-1.5 hours)

Support

If you have a medical condition or an individual need for an adjustment to our process, and you believe this may affect your ability to be at your best, please let us know so we can talk about how we can best support you and make any adjustments that may be needed.