Coffee Roasting Technical Consultant / Trainer at The Chambers Federation

The consultant will:

• Assess and optimize the roasting setup and workflow
• Operate and calibrate a gas-powered coffee roasting machine (manual system, without PLC or automated controls)
• Establish roasting parameters including charge temperature, gas control, airflow, and development time
• Develop 3–5 repeatable roasting profiles using manual control

Train staff on:

• Safe operation of the roaster
• Manual heat and airflow management
• Profile replication and batch consistency
• Routine maintenance and daily equipment checks
• Establish basic roast logging and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Diagnose and resolve equipment, process, or operational issues and provide practical recommendations for reliability and efficiency
• Deliverables
• 3–5 documented and repeatable roasting profiles
• Basic roasting SOPs and operational guidelines
• Roast logging template
• Staff able to independently operate the machine and reproduce profiles
• Brief technical summary with key operational recommendations

Duration, Location & Travel

• Contract duration: 1–2 months (intensive on-site engagement)
• Interviews will be conducted in person in Nairobi, Kenya.
• The assignment will take place at an operational site outside Kenya though within the region.
• The consultant must be willing and able to travel regionally and work on-site in a remote or developing operational environment.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years hands-on coffee roasting experience
• Proven ability to operate gas-powered roasting equipment
• Experience working with manual roasting systems (without PLC or automated profile control)
• Demonstrated ability to develop and standardize roast profiles through manual control
• Strong technical and mechanical understanding of roasting equipment
• Proven troubleshooting and operational problem-solving skills
• Experience training operational staff
• Practical, hands-on working style and ability to operate independently