McKenzie Carter
Gresham,OR
Summary
Specialty coffee professional with four years of café management experience and hands-on training on a Loring Smart Roast production system. Experienced in operational leadership, staff development, and creating community-focused programming. Passionate about advancing in the coffee industry while fostering strong team culture and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Apprentice Roaster
Mae Coffee Roasters
Portland, OR
12.2025 - Current
- Apprentice Roaster developing production-level proficiency on a Loring roaster
- Training in profile development, roast data analysis, and production workflow optimization
Cafe Manager
Pause Coffee Lab
Gresham, OR
08.2023 - Current
- Lead front-of-house operations and direct team members during high-volume shifts
- Trains and mentors new staff
- Keyholder responsible for opening/closing, financial reconciliation, cash management, and inventory oversight
- Collaborate directly with owner on operational strategy and day-to-day decision-making
- Initiated and managed community engagement events, including game nights and an annual charity latte art competition
- Assists in weekly cold brew production for retail and event service
Server
Spinella's
Gresham, OR
05.2022 - 08.2023
- Collaborated with a small, high-performing team to deliver seamless service in a fast-paced restaurant environment
- Maintained efficient workflow and clear communication during peak service hours
- Operated bar independently as needed
Family Caregiver
Family Medical Leave
Seattle, WA
09.2018 - 05.2022
- Stepped away from full-time employment to provide end-of-life care for spouse
- Managed medical coordination, scheduling, and daily household operations during their extended illness
Alumni Relations Assistant
WOU Alumni Relations
Monmouth, OR
03.2018 - 11.2018
- Assisted the Alumni Relations Coordinator at Western Oregon University in planning and executing alumni events.
- Managed the Alumni Association’s social media accounts to increase engagement
- Maintained accurate alumni records in the university’s data system to support outreach and communication efforts.
Education
Master of Science - Criminal Justice
Western Oregon University
Monmouth, OR06-2024
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Western Oregon University
Monmouth, OR06-2019
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Self motivation
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Reliability
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Excellent communication
Timeline
Apprentice Roaster
Mae Coffee Roasters
12.2025 - Current
Cafe Manager
Pause Coffee Lab
08.2023 - Current
Server
Spinella's
05.2022 - 08.2023
Family Caregiver
Family Medical Leave
09.2018 - 05.2022
Alumni Relations Assistant
WOU Alumni Relations
03.2018 - 11.2018
Master of Science - Criminal Justice
Western Oregon University
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Western Oregon University