Offering noble kava to the Bay Area since 2013. We continue to work with our farmers, distributors and suppliers to establish fair trade and sustainability in the South Pacific Islands. Respect the Root continues to celebrate the tradition of kava while maintaining its inherited roots as we share this elixir and experience with you. We’re excited to bring you the Bay’s first nakamal, or Kava bar! Kava is an ancient beverage from the South Pacific made from the roots of the Kava Kava plant Piper methysticum. The traditional beverage has been consumed in that part of the world for thousands of years and we’re happy to be the first to bring it here!

Respect the Root LLC — Production Assistant

Oakland, CA · Part time

Are you a beverage connoisseur with a love for e-commerce and the fast-paced energy of startup culture? We're on the lookout for a dynamic and tech-savvy Production Assistant to support our rapidly growing kombucha and kava production business. This is an unparalleled opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the beverage industry, driving the success of our unique, high-quality products in the global market.

Description

Respect the Root is the beverage manufacturing and production arm of the MeloMelo Kava bars located throughout the Bay Area and greater California. Offering noble kava to the Bay Area since 2013.

We continually work with our farmers, distributors and suppliers to establish fair trade and sustainability in the South Pacific Islands. Respect the Root continues to celebrate the tradition of kava while maintaining its inherited roots as we share this elixir and experience with you.

Work Environment — Please Read Carefully

This role is based in a private warehouse, and you will be working mostly alone. There is no supervisor standing next to you for most of your shift. Day-to-day direction, questions, and updates happen over Slack, so the ability to communicate clearly, promptly, and professionally in writing is essential to this job — not a nice-to-have.

The person who will excel in this role is someone who feels genuinely comfortable and capable working independently: self-directed, organized, steady without supervision, and confident making reasonable decisions on their own. If you do your best work with a quiet space, a clear task list, and a Slack thread, you will thrive here.

Just as important: you must be able to stay productive while waiting for an answer. Questions come up, and a reply may not be instant. We expect you to ask the question, then move on to the next productive task rather than stopping all work and waiting. Filling that time well is part of the job.

Responsibilities

Duties cover, but are not limited to:

• Receiving incoming kava shipments and properly entering them into our CRM system, then organizing and labeling the product with the date it was received.
• Following established SOPs to properly label and fill bags using our equipment — including scales, an impulse heat sealer, a printer, and a label printer.
• Generating and printing order paperwork, and correctly labeling properly packaged boxes for outgoing orders. This includes Shopify orders and dropping shipments off at the post office.
• Learning and accurately executing different recipes for our various retail offerings, including products that require combination and mixture of multiple ingredients.
• Inventory and clearly communicating reorder needs to the team in a timely way.
• Picking up supplies as needed.
• Identifying, locating, and preparing equipment or packaging materials for the next stage of production, such as scales, paper bags and glass containers.
• Inspecting and organizing equipment or packaging materials to ensure quality and accuracy, and reporting any defects.
• Maintaining supply inventory and communicating with team members to ensure smooth production flow.
• Assisting with machine setup and changeover, gathering tools, and preparing materials.
• Keeping accurate records of production activities, ensuring traceability and proper labeling.
• Maintaining a clean and safe work environment, following company policies, and reporting any potential hazards.
• Communicating with other team members over Slack to keep production moving smoothly.
• Brewing kombucha or bottling/kegging, which is at a secondary location.
• Performing other tasks as assigned by leadership.

Requirements

• Reliable personal transportation is a must. You may be asked to drop packages at the post office, pick up ingredients and supplies, or other miscellaneous tasks. Reimbursement for transportation required for work will be provided.
• Strong, self-directed time management. Because you are working largely on your own, the ability to organize your own day, prioritize, and manage your own time is a high requirement of this role.
• Effective written communication over Slack, including clear status updates, questions, and reorder requests.
• Comfort and confidence working independently in a private warehouse setting for the majority of your shift.
• Willingness and ability to be trained on new recipes, SOPs, and to cover a shift at a secondary location, potentially on short notice.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and machinery.
• Ability to identify and address defects in parts and products.
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members.
• Ability to manage inventory and maintain a clean work environment.
• Must be able to regularly lift up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds (25 kg).
• Must be able to safely lift, pick up or otherwise handle bags, boxes, equipment or packaging materials.
• Associate's degree in Food Science, Engineering, Business, or related field preferred.
• 1-2 years of experience in the coffee, tea, or similar beverage production industry preferred.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment, especially as a production assistant, is preferred.

What We Offer

• A competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• The opportunity to join a passionate and driven team of kava enthusiasts, dedicated to revolutionizing the kava industry.
• Ongoing learning and professional development opportunities to expand your skillset and advance your career.
• The satisfaction of contributing to a thriving global kava community and be at the ground floor of an exciting and new drink phenomena.

If this exhilarating opportunity resonates with you, apply now! Become an integral part of our mission to transform the kava industry and let your passion for kava and e-commerce propel you to success.

Respect the Root provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Job Type: Part-Time

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan

Schedule

• 4-8 hour shift
• Monday and Tuesday

Education

• Associate's (Preferred)

Experience

• Beverage industry: 1-2 years (Preferred)

Work Location: Onsite — private warehouse in Oakland, with occasional coverage at a secondary location in Oakland.

Compensation: $20 - $25 per hour