Coffee People: Spencer Turer
Spencer Turer, Head of Quality Assurance at Pan American Coffee, Edison, New Jersey. Four questions — everything the industry rarely stops to hear.
Coffee people.
The Better Coffee Standard defines it precisely: everyone whose life and work are bound to coffee, at every stage of the coffee circle — including those working under coercion, economic dependency, or without pay. Their families. Those who keep them standing.
Read more in the free The Better Coffee Standard.
The industry never stops talking about coffee. It rarely stops to talk about the people behind it. Red Ink Coffee exists, in part, to change that.
Coffee People is a series of portraits. Four questions — their voices.
Who are you and what do you do in coffee?
My name is Spencer Turer, I am a coffee taster and coffee writer. I entered the coffee industry in 1994 and have been truly fortunate to work with many respected coffee companies. My career spans management functions in retail operations, supply chain, product development, retail marketing, and quality assurance. What I do is best described as a Coffee Quality Instigator, meaning I drive excellence by proactively managing standards and inciting decisive action to improve every cup. Functionally, I develop partnerships and collaborations to prevent defects, ensuring distinctive and exceptional coffee experiences.
A moment in your work with coffee that you're genuinely proud of.
Helping people is what I am most proud of. I believe that coffee people have an obligation to help and support other coffee people. When an article that I wrote or a class that I lead helps someone understand the complexity of the coffee business I consider it a significant achievement. Judging coffee competitions inspires me for two reasons, for promoting the success of coffee producers, baristas, and roasters, and for providing notoriety and new opportunities for them. The coffee business relies on human connections, and I am proud to contribute to the success of others through my words and actions.
One problem you see in your part of the coffee world — and why it matters to you personally.
In my judgement, promoting popularity as a measure of success is a significant problem. We spend too much time chasing recognition and reputation instead of focusing on business processes, consistent quality, and revenue to sustain a business. It is too easy to make a snazzy website and flashy labels making grandiose claims of specialty quality. We are too busy trying to attract attention to get the first sale, when real success is repeat business.
What would you change if you could — and what would better look like for you?
Change for improvement is my goal. Customer focused programs, communications, and service standards will help create demand by removing the obstacles of misunderstanding. Uniqueness differentiates, but without communicating context, specifically why our claims are important to consumers, they will not understand what we are trying to assert and will not develop a relationship that results in repeat business. Better looks like increased consumer satisfaction through true product understanding, flavor consistency, and the realization of value from their purchases.
You are coffee people. Tell us.
Four questions. Any language. Any format.
- Who are you and what do you do in coffee?
- A moment you're genuinely proud of.
- One problem in your part of the coffee world — and why it matters to you.
- What would you change — and what would better look like?
Include a short bio and a photo from your work environment. Send your answers to redinkcoffee@thebettercoffee.org
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