Brewing and Cellar Operations Specialist

Founders Brewing Company • Grand Rapids, MI

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for proficiency in beer making process of both hot and cold operations in the Brewhouse and Cellar from ingredient delivery to bright beer. This role involves operating, cleaning, and sterilizing equipment, following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for wort and beer creation, and managing raw materials and inventory. The specialist will perform routine quality checks, interact with the Quality Department, input data into systems like Infinity and Orchestrated Beer (Obeer), and coordinate with Maintenance and Brewer's Assistants. Responsibilities also include receiving bulk malt deliveries, maintaining a sanitary work environment, performing cleaning tasks, and handling barrel operations. Active communication with team members and flexibility in working hours, including off-shifts and weekends, are essential.

Requirements

• HS Diploma or equivalency required.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in Production Brewing and/or Cellar Operations.
• Experience in sanitary food or beverage processing.
• Must be a great communicator.
• Must possess a mechanical aptitude.
• Candidates should be serious about safety, quality and cleanliness.
• Comfortable being exposed to wet and humid conditions, below freezing temperatures, and at times, extreme heat.
• Comfortable working around moving mechanical parts, vibration and being exposed to high precarious places, fumes, and chemicals.
• Candidates need to be able to lift up to 55 pounds, be able to twist and turn, be able to reach over your shoulders, and work in standing/walking/ crouching position at a steady pace and love to clean.
• Availability to work days, nights, and weekends is required.

Nice To Haves

• Good candidates must fit in with our enthusiastic and hardworking team environment.

Responsibilities

• Operates, cleans, and sterilizes all associated equipment and media supplies using BOTEC or other process control technologies and manual operations.
• Follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) specifically in the creation of wort, beer and yeast pitching operations from ingredient delivery to bright beer.
• Reviews and interprets the Brewing and Cellar schedule for the upcoming brews on the scheduled shift through Orchestrated Beer (Obeer).
• Mills the specified grains and adjuncts based on production orders in Obeer prior to the desired brew time.
• Prepares hops, brewing salts, adjuncts, and other materials for brews in process ahead of time as needed according to the production procedures in Obeer.
• Scans all raw material license plates used into WMS in real time to maintain inventory levels and ensure traceability.
• Verifies all correct material lot numbers have been issued using WMS after an operation is complete.
• Performs routine quality checks on raw materials, wort throughout the process, beer in fermentation, beer in transferring, yeast in propagation, bright beer, and finished product daily.
• Interacts with Quality Department.
• Inputs relevant Brewing data into Infinity and records process information on Brew Logs or Tank Tags.
• Checks and adjusts as necessary all equipment, communicating changes to the Brewing and Cellar Managers.
• Participates in shift changeover at the beginning and end of shift to ensure a seamless transition.
• Works with Cellar Leads in determining daily tasks when performing Cellar Operations.
• Coordinates with the Maintenance department regarding any required servicing of equipment.
• Uses eMaint to submit work order requests.
• Works with Brewer’s Assistants to ensure all raw materials are stocked and organized.
• Prepares Inventory Transfer Requests (ITRs) in Obeer to transfer needed material from the Barrel House to 235 Grandville.
• Receives bulk malt deliveries into desired silos via pneumatic truck and automatically via hopper bottom deliveries using the BOTEC operating system, monitoring throughout the process when Brewer’s Assistants are not staffed.
• Inspects bulk grain deliveries upon arrival and makes sure they are compliant with our quality expectations.
• Verifies paperwork against PO in WMS/Obeer.
• Receives bulk deliveries via WMS and creates license plates (LP).
• Maintains a safe, clean, and sanitary work environment throughout the shift using the Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) and Good Brewing Practices (GBP) in automated CIP and manual CIP/COP operations.
• Performs and signs off on weekly cleaning tasks based on CIP Checklists.
• Reviews and signs off on Standard Operating Procedures as updates become available.
• Performs all duties associated with barrel operations.
• Actively communicates with other Operators, Leads and Managers with phone, email, and/or Slack.

Benefits

• Competitive Hourly Range
• Health, dental, vision, and other coverage for all employees starts date of hire.
• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off, volunteer time, and floating holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid sabbaticals with tenure
• Paid parental leave for all employees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED