Junior Cupping Officer

Job Title: Junior Cupping Officer

Department: Quality Control & Sensory Laboratory

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Experience Level: 0 – 1 Year (Entry-Level / Junior)

Reports To: Senior Cupping Officer / Quality Control Manager

Position Summary

The Junior Cupping Officer at Mullege Plc plays a vital role in protecting the company’s stellar reputation for coffee quality. In this role, you will support the sensory lab team by preparing, testing, and documenting green and roasted coffee samples destined for international markets. This entry-level position demands high physical precision in lab setup, strict adherence to global specialty coffee protocols, and accurate data logging to ensure only premium-grade coffee is cleared for export.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

1. Export Sample Processing & Setup

• Strict Sample Preparation: Receive incoming green coffee lot samples from washing stations, hulling mills, or suppliers, ensuring perfect identification and zero cross-contamination.
• Roasting & Grinding Calibration: Roast green coffee samples uniformly to exact standard profiles using laboratory sample roasters. Grind coffee precisely according to Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) protocol.
• Station Preparation: Set up sensory tables daily with strict portion controls, monitored water temperatures (around 93°C–95°C), specialized cupping spoons, and clean testing bowls.

2. Sensory Evaluation & Quality Assistance

• Sensory Assessment: Participate in daily cupping panels alongside Senior Cupping Officers to assess aroma, flavor notes, acidity, body, and uniformity.
• Defect Detection: Perform physical inspections on green coffee beans to count primary/secondary defects and check moisture levels before roasting.
• Export Grading Support: Assist in sorting and cataloging commercial vs. specialty coffee profiles (e.g., Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, Guji, Jimma) to align with client purchase contracts.

3. Data Management & Documentation

• Laboratory Logging: Enter physical measurements, moisture content readings, and initial cupping scores into Mullege Plc’s internal database or tracking spreadsheets.
• Traceability Tracking: Maintain flawless records linking sample numbers to their respective warehouse codes or lot numbers to guarantee total traceability from source to container.

Job Requirements & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Plant Sciences, Food Science, Agronomy, Applied Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Experience: 0 to 1 year max. Intense passion for the coffee industry and an eager willingness to learn are highly valued over long experience.
• Technical & Soft Skills:
  • Highly developed sensory capabilities (keen sense of taste and smell).
  • Exceptional attention to detail (crucial for physical defect grading and precise laboratory measurements).
  • Basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel or database entry to support digitized record-keeping.
  • Solid communication skills in Amharic and basic functional English (useful for understanding export documentation terms).