Sourcing Assistant for Coffee

Paris Brother Inc.•Kansas City, MO

34d

About The Position

We are Paris Brothers, a privately held industry leader committed to excellence in all that we do. A diversified manufacturer and distributor of specialty food products, premium specialty coffee, and third-party logistics (3PL), we believe we make the world in which we participate better, especially for our wonderful customers. The sourcing assistant supports the coffee sourcing functions of with administrative tasks, coffee sample organization, basic quality control activities, and inventory tracking. This position is highly detail-oriented and ideal for an early-career coffee professional seeking exposure to green coffee buying, quality evaluation, and the global supply chain. The role involves hands-on learning and close collaboration.

Requirements

High school diploma (or GED equivalent)
Strong interest in coffee quality, origins, and sourcing.

Nice To Haves

Experience in coffee (barista, roastery assistant, café manager, Quality Control assistant, etc.)
Exposure to coffee cupping or quality evaluation (formal training not required)
Balancing a wide variety of tasks and adapting to changing priorities
Language skills in Spanish or Portuguese
Strong time management and organizational skills to handle multiple inventory tasks.

Responsibilities

Organize incoming green coffee samples and maintain sample storage systems.
Assist with the setup and cleanup of cupping sessions (weighing, grinding, labeling, cleaning).
Participate in cupping sessions as skill level allows, contributing observations and notes.
Assist with supervised sample roasting.
Assist Purchasing Agents by communicating data for purchase orders, coffee contracts, and shipment records.
Assist in collecting and organizing supplier documents (certifications, spec, photos).
Support communication with suppliers and importers regarding samples, tracking shipments, and gathering information.
Update internal systems with sample information, arrival data, and basic quality results.
Assist in monitoring green coffee inventory levels, warehouse locations, upcoming arrivals, and open positions.
Prepare simple weekly or monthly reports for the Vice President, Private Partnerships & Supply Chain.
Coordinate sample deliveries and approvals with production, roasting, and Quality Control teams
Support internal communication around expected arrivals, delays, and general updates.
Develop understanding of global coffee origins, processing methods, and quality terminology.
Learn about logistics, shipping documents, and basic supply chain workflows.
Participate in internal training (some informal) on sensory skills, roasting, and coffee evaluation.
Attend industry events and cuppings as available.
Possible international travel to visit source partners.
Perform other duties as assigned.