Head Roaster

Fireheart Coffee Roasters Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialty coffee company is seeking a Head Roaster in East London. This senior position involves overseeing daily roastery operations, managing quality control and product development, and leading a dedicated team. Candidates should have proven experience in specialty coffee roasting and strong technical skills. Joining this team offers a chance to influence coffee quality and be an active voice in the coffee community. The role is full-time and located in Leyton, East London.

Benefits

Ownership and influence in role

Collaboration with founders

Active involvement in coffee community

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior roasting or lead production role within specialty coffee.
• Strong technical skills with focus on details and quality.
• Experience in leading, mentoring, and developing a small team.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the Roastery.
• Manage roasting and developing roast profiles.
• Lead ongoing product and range development.
• Manage and maintain inventory and green coffee partnerships.
• Train and develop the roastery team.

Skills

Technical skills in coffee roasting

Leadership and team management

Detail-oriented and quality-focused

Experience with production planning

Proficiency in quality control measures

Job description

At Fireheart, we pour our energy into sourcing and roasting world‑class coffee. Our mission is to deliver the highest quality products while fostering strong, long‑term relationships with partners, customers, suppliers, and within our team.

We’re now looking for an experiencedHead Roasterto lead our East London roastery and play a central role in the continued growth and development of Fireheart. This is a senior, hands‑on position with real ownership, ideal for someone who combines technical excellence with leadership, curiosity, and strong values.

The Role

As Head Roaster, you will oversee and be responsible for operating the Roastery to a consistently high standard. This includes production roasting and profiling, quality control, sourcing support, logistics, inventory, and software housekeeping, as well as packing and dispatch. You’ll work closely with the directors on product development, sales support, and long‑term scaling of the business.

You’ll also manage and develop the roastery team, continually refining systems and processes to keep operations efficient, organised, and future‑proof.

Key Responsibilities

Roastery & Production

• Lead all day‑to‑day Roastery operations
• Production roasting and roast profile development
• Maintenance and upkeep of our roaster and all Roastery equipment
• Daily cleaning, organisation, and general Roastery housekeeping

Quality & Product Development

• Create, update, and refine roast profiles
• Develop and manage a clear QC framework and procedures
• Lead ongoing product and range development
• Ensure certifications are maintained and up to date (e.g. Organic, HACCP)

Green Coffee & Inventory

• Grow and maintain our green coffee partnerships at origin
• Manage green coffee contracts, inventory levels, and regular stocktakes
• Maintain roasting and production software systems and data accuracy

Team Leadership & Operations

• Manage, train, and develop the roastery team
• Continually improve systems and processes to keep the business streamlined and scalable
• Manage wholesale and online (Shopify) orders
• Oversee packing, dispatch, deliveries, and logistics
• Support directors with sales activity and pitches where required

Community & Industry Engagement

• Represent Fireheart at industry events and within the wider coffee community
• Actively pursue further knowledge through training, publications, events, and competitions

About You

You’ll bring proven experience in a senior roasting or lead production role within specialty coffee, with strong technical skills and a detail‑driven, quality‑focused approach. You’ll be confident managing production planning, quality control, and equipment maintenance, and experienced in leading, mentoring, and developing a small team. Highly organised, proactive, and systems‑minded, you’ll be motivated by the opportunity to help shape and grow an independent specialty coffee business.

Why Join Fireheart?

• A senior role with genuine ownership and influence
• Opportunity to shape coffee quality, products, and operational systems
• Close collaboration with founders in a values‑led business
• A chance to be an active voice in the specialty coffee community

Location: Leyton, East London

Role type: Full‑time

How to Apply

If you share our values and are excited about joining a team that prioritises quality, consistency, and positive relationships, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your CV and a short cover note explaining why you’d be a great fit for Fireheart to [e-mail]