Associate - Food Technology

Associate – Food Technology

Location:

Indiranagar, Bengaluru

Type:

Full-time | Product & Quality | Hands-on, data-driven orientation

Experience:

1–2 years

Reporting to:

Founder's Office

About SoCoffee

India grows some of the finest coffee in the world, yet much of it still gets traded as a commodity. Quality is often compromised during processing, traceability is limited, and small and mid-sized growers rarely get to see their end product.

At SoCoffee, we're building the
smart supply chain for Indian coffee.

We work directly with small and mid-sized growers, take their ripe harvests, and process them in our data-driven factory in Coorg - designed to transform what could have been commodity coffee into specialty-grade lots. From there, we take it to both India and the world through products, experiences, and storytelling that celebrate traceability, craft, and quality.

We've been bootstrapped for the past two years, supported by government schemes such as Karnataka Elevate, PMFME, and others now in final approval stages. We're also part of AIC-CCRI, an accelerator by The Coffee Board of India and C-CAMP.

We're now closing our pre-seed round with investments from Shradha Sharma (YourStory), Naveen Tewari (InMobi & Glance), Ankit Agrawal & Ish Babbar (InsuranceDekho), and others.

Our first coffee kiosk is live at InMobi HQ, Bengaluru; our second opens shortly in Gurgaon; and a flagship coffee shop is planned for the first half of next year.

SoCoffee sits at the intersection of
coffee, content, and technology

, reimagining how Indian coffee is grown, processed, and experienced.

Karum, the founder, is a 3rd-generation coffee grower, an ex-entrepreneur, and has been deeply involved in the startup-tech space.

Why Food Technology Matters at SoCoffee

While storytelling brings the emotion of coffee alive, the
science

behind it defines its quality.

Every batch of coffee, from ripe cherries to roasted beans to a finished cup  carries measurable variables that determine its flavor, aroma, texture & other attributes. Our goal is to make this process predictable, repeatable, and scalable through data, precision, and scientific curiosity.

This is where our food technology function comes in:

• Bringing scientific rigor to how coffee is analyzed and processed.
• Translating data and observation into better quality control.
• Building a foundation for repeatable excellence in every lot we produce.

You'll help us bridge craft and science turning subjective flavor into objective, measurable insight.

About the Role

We're looking for a
Food Technology Associate

who thrives at the intersection of technical depth, strong discipline, and hands-on experimentation.

You'll work across green beans, roasted coffee, and brewed beverages, analyzing, documenting, and comparing their physical, sensory, and compositional attributes. You'll collaborate with labs, manage equipment calibration, capture structured data, and ensure traceability and accuracy across samples.

It's a role that blends
lab work, process discipline, and product thinking

• perfect for someone who loves understanding how things work and believes in building structure around that understanding. Being a coffee drinker and passionate about it would be a good advantage

The Six Qualities That Matter Most for This Role

Analytical Curiosity:

You're naturally curious about how flavor, texture, and aroma connect with measurable physical and chemical parameters.

Structured & Detail-Oriented:

You love documenting, organizing, and working systematically  ensuring data is accurate and processes are consistent.

Comfort with Equipment:

You enjoy being hands-on - setting up and maintaining instruments, monitoring calibration, and ensuring reliability of data.

Scientific Thinking:

You can break down problems logically, design small experiments, and interpret results objectively.

Ownership & Resourcefulness:

You're proactive, responsible, and can manage your space, equipment, and data independently.

Interest in Coffee:

You may not know everything about coffee yet, but you're deeply interested in learning about it — from bean to brew.

What This Role Involves

• Conduct analysis of green beans, roasted beans, and brewed coffee (physical, sensory, and chemical parameters).
• Work with external labs to run composition and quality tests and interpret data.
• Capture, clean, and organize structured data across lots, batches, and experiments.
• Support equipment calibration, upkeep, and sample traceability within the lab and production setup.
• Assist in creating and documenting new products, formulations, and prototypes.
• Maintain process documentation, SOPs, and daily logs with accuracy and consistency.
• Collaborate with roasting, processing, and product teams to connect data insights to operational improvements.

Who You Are

• Bachelor's or Master's in Food Technology / Food Science / Food Chemistry / Process Engineering (ICT, CFTRI, NIFTEM, or equivalent preferred).
• 1–2 years of experience in analytical, QA, or product development roles (food, beverage, or FMCG industries).
• Proficient in data handling, documentation, and lab protocols.
• Strong grasp of basic chemistry, moisture, pH, density, and sensory evaluation techniques.
• Naturally structured, disciplined, and eager to learn.
• Familiarity with Excel or Google Sheets for data organization.
• Bonus: Exposure to sensory evaluation or product development in coffee, tea, or similar products.

You'll Enjoy This Role If

• You enjoy working with both your hands and your mind - measuring, recording, and understanding patterns.
• You like combining science and craft to create something tangible and consistent.
• You want to learn how a farm-to-cup coffee company operates, end-to-end.
• You're energized by working in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment where precision matters.
• You want to play a role in building India's most trusted coffee company.

Working at SoCoffee

We're a six-day-a-week, in-office team based in Bengaluru (Indiranagar for now). We believe the best work happens through collaboration, context, and shared purpose. Expect an environment that is hands-on, fast-paced, and deeply committed to quality - in both people and product.

Compensation

Fixed:

Based on current compensation & market standards

ESOPs:

Performance-based, post 6 months

If you think you'd enjoy this role and be good at it, please apply at the link above. We'll reply to shortlisted candidates and aim to close the process within two weeks of shortlisting.