Coffee Specialist

Summary

The Coffee Specialist is the technical and service backbone of the field team, ensuring every La Colombe machine in the territory operates at peak performance. This role owns preventative maintenance, equipment installations, and calibrations while serving as the eyes and ears of the sales organization. By maintaining a close relationship with each account, the Coffee Specialist identifies unmet needs and new volume opportunities, funneling qualified leads to Territory Managers to close. This role is a critical bridge between service excellence and revenue growth.

Responsibilities

Equipment Maintenance & Technical Services

• Execute scheduled preventative maintenance visits across all active accounts in assigned territory
• Lead and assist on equipment installations, ensuring machines are set up, calibrated, and operating to La Colombe brand standards
• Diagnose and resolve equipment malfunctions in a timely manner, minimizing downtime for accounts
• Maintain accurate service records and equipment inventory through CRM or service management tools
• Partner with the Regional Technical Lead to escalate complex equipment issues and ensure resolution
• Ensure all installs meet safety and operational standards prior to account handoff

Calibration & Quality Standards

• Calibrate equipment to deliver consistent product quality per La Colombe coffee standards
• Train account staff on proper machine operation, cleaning protocols, and daily maintenance procedures
• Conduct routine quality audits at accounts to ensure coffee output meets brand and customer expectations
• Flag and document any accounts with persistent quality or execution issues and partner with Territory Manager on corrective action

Sales Opportunity Identification

• Build strong relationships with account contacts during service visits to understand their business needs and growth plans
• Identify upsell opportunities including equipment upgrades, additional SKUs, and new brewing programs
• Recognize accounts that may be at risk for churn and alert the Territory Manager proactively
• Document and pass qualified leads to Territory Managers with sufficient context to enable a fast close
• Act as an ambassador for the La Colombe brand at every account interaction

Reporting & Communication

• Maintain up-to-date records of all service activity, account visits, and opportunity flags in the designated tracking system
• Communicate regularly with the Regional Technical Lead and Territory Managers on territory health and account status
• Participate in team meetings and training sessions as required

Requirements

Experience Needed

• 2-4 years of experience in equipment service, technical sales support, or a similar field role
• Experience in coffee, foodservice, or beverage equipment strongly preferred
• Familiarity with espresso machine mechanics, grinder calibration, and brewing equipment is a strong plus
• Proven ability to build relationships with customers in a service or account management context
• Self-starter with strong time management and route planning skills
• Comfortable working independently in the field with minimal day-to-day supervision
• Strong communication skills — able to clearly report findings and opportunities to the sales team
• Ability to lift and move equipment (up to 50 lbs) as part of regular job duties

Education Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree preferred