Quality Assurance Lab Technician

Job Description – Quality Lab Technician

Coastal Commodities, LLC
Location: Red Bank, New Jersey
Reports To: COO

Position Summary

The Quality Lab technician is responsible for the professional operation, organization, and execution of Coastal Commodities’ coffee laboratory activities in support of the trading organization. This role oversees sample intake, laboratory workflow, grading, analytical support, reporting, and claims follow-up, while serving as a trusted operational partner to the trading team.

This position is not the final decision-maker on commercial quality approvals, customer specifications, or blend optimization. At Coastal Commodities, those decisions remain a core responsibility of the trading team and are central to how we serve customers and differentiate ourselves in the market.

The Quality Lab Technician provides technical input, disciplined lab execution, and an equal voice in coffee evaluation while partnering closely with traders, who maintain final accountability for quality decisions on their accounts.

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory Operations & Sample Management

• Manage daily operation of the coffee laboratory in a professional, organized, and efficient manner
• Receive, log, organize, clean, prepare, and dispose of coffee samples according to internal protocols
• Maintain orderly sample inventory, retention library, and lab housekeeping standards
• Ensure proper calibration, upkeep, sanitation, and preventative maintenance of lab equipment
• Maintain a safe, clean, and efficient laboratory environment

Coffee Grading & Analytical Support

• Grade green coffee samples and arrival lots in accordance with company standards and trader instructions
• Conduct physical analysis including defect grading, moisture, density, water activity, screen analysis, and related testing
• Support cupping preparation and participate in daily quality evaluation alongside trading
• Provide timely and accurate grading results and observations to traders, logistics and suppliers
• Assist in documenting sensory and physical quality data to support trading decisions

Support to Trading & Commercial Quality Execution

• Execute sample evaluations and analyses as directed by the trading team
• Support traders in account-specific quality reviews and blend optimization exercises
• Serve as a technical contributor to coffee approvals while recognizing final commercial quality decisions reside with trading
• Help maintain the company’s hands-on trader-led approach to quality management

Claims Administration & Reporting

• Track and follow customer claims, investigations, and required follow-up actions proactively
• Communicate laboratory results, reports, and claims-related information clearly and timely
• Manage lab reporting, sample documentation, and internal/external quality communications
• Support resolution of quality inquiries through disciplined documentation and follow-through

Process Discipline & Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve lab workflow, sample handling, reporting processes, and operating discipline
• Support development and refinement of lab procedures and standards
• Contribute ideas to improve efficiency, consistency, and responsiveness of the lab function

Qualifications

Required

• 3 years experience in coffee laboratory operations, grading, or quality support
• Strong working knowledge of green coffee grading and physical analysis
• High level of organization and operational discipline
• Strong written communication and follow-through
• Ability to execute consistently in a fast-paced trading environment
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to work within a trader-led quality model

Preferred

• Experience in green coffee importing, trading, or roasting environment
• SCA or related coffee quality certifications a plus (not required)
• Experience supporting claims administration and laboratory reporting
• Familiarity with lab equipment calibration and preventative maintenance

Key Competencies

• Laboratory management
• Sample handling discipline
• Coffee grading and physical analysis
• Attention to detail
• Process execution
• Communication and follow-up
• Team collaboration
• Operational ownership

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means:

• A highly organized, professionally run lab
• Reliable and timely grading and reporting support for traders
• Strong sample discipline and claims follow-up
• A collaborative lab partner that strengthens, rather than replaces, trader ownership of quality decisions
• A trusted contributor to Coastal Commodities’ differentiated, trader-led quality model

Compensation

We offer the following for this role as presented:

• $65-75k salary
• Annual performance bonuses from 10-20%
• Individual, employee-only medical insurance coverage
• 401k
• We will consider other levels for highly qualified candidates
• Potential for growth into Quality Lab Manager

Pay: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $65,000 - $75,000