Operations and Production Lead

Aviary is a specialty coffee roaster based in Cleveland, Ohio. We roast and sell coffee direct to consumers using a model inspired by Community Supported Agriculture under the Aviary name; run B Sides, a green coffee marketplace; and operate a strategy, coffee analysis and contract-buying lab that sources coffee for importers and roasters around the world—including consulting clients at major national accounts. We’re a small, hands-on team building something real, and we care a lot about doing it well.

The Role

We’re hiring our first employee. This is a rare kind of job: the work is concrete and physical, but the opportunity is wide open. As employee #1, you won’t just be filling a role we’ve defined top to bottom, you’ll be helping us figure out what the role, and the company, becomes.

Production and hands-on operational support will be the bulk of what you do day to day, especially in the beginning. But as you learn the business, you’ll have real opportunities to train into other areas—QC and lab work, our internal systems and software, and customer-facing support—based on your interests and how you grow into the work.

We’re looking for a mission-driven, values-aligned generalist: someone highly adaptable, self-motivated, and a quick learner, who wants to help shape our culture and trajectory from the ground up rather than just clock in for a defined job description.

What You’ll Do

Production

• Assist with the production line on roast days (leading weekly production within 3 months of hire)
• Assemble boxes and sticker bags
• Log roast color and other production data
• Set up, run, and tear down QC cupping sessions

Operations Support

• Oversee shipping and fulfillment for both Aviary and B Sides
• Manage inventory—counting, organizing, and tracking
• Receive and catalog incoming green coffee offer samples
• Handle weekly cleaning to keep the roastery running safely and looking sharp

Room to Grow

As you prove yourself in the core production/ops work, there’s real opportunity to cross-train into:

• Green coffee and QC lab work (cupping, sample evaluation, sample roasting)
• Our internal software and systems (inventory and ERP tooling)
• Customer-facing fulfillment and order operations (Shopify, Easyship, email support)
• Travel to industry expos (World of Coffee) and support buying work in producing countries

Who We’re Looking For

• A mission-driven, values-aligned generalist—someone who wants to be part of building something, not just doing a job
• Highly adaptable and comfortable with a role that will shift as the company grows
• Self-motivated with strong follow-through; we’re small, so initiative matters more here than almost anywhere else you’ll work
• A quick learner who’s not afraid to ask questions or dig in on something new
• Prior experience in food, beverage, or warehouse environments preferred
• Coffee industry experience is a strong plus and will be prioritized
• Comfortable with detail-oriented, repetitive work (production roasting, cupping protocols, logging, inventory counts) done consistently, carefully and without any room for improvisation or creative input.

Finalists will be asked to complete a short, paid skills assessment as part of the interview process, including a cupping and triangulation exercise.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to stand and remain on your feet for extended periods
• Must be able to walk regularly throughout a shift
• Must be able to lift and move up to 35 lbs unassisted

Schedule & Location

• Based out of our climate-controlled roastery near downtown Cleveland, Ohio
• Full-time, 4–5 days per week
• Flexible schedule: days are tied to the production and roast schedule rather than a fixed weekly or hourly pattern
• Hourly to start, with pathway to salary

Compensation & Benefits

• Starting wage of $22/hour
• Paid time off (PTO), available beginning at 3 months of employment
• QSEHRA health insurance reimbursement, available beginning at 3 months of employment
• Free coffee and access to our world-class brew bar

How to Apply

Interested candidates should complete our application form here. Applications are due October 15, 2026.

Hinterland Coffee Strategies is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds who share our values to apply.