Brewing Operator (12hr Nights on 2-2-3 Schedule)

Mark Anthony Group•Columbia, SC

About The Position

The Brewing Operator operates and maintains brewing equipment to ensure product quality and consistency while following safety, sanitation, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and quality procedures. The role requires attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, and the ability to troubleshoot process or equipment issues with urgency in a fast-paced, changing environment. Operators receive cross-training in kitting, batching, laboratory operations, filtration, raw material unloading, inventory management, and control room operations. The position offers opportunities to develop technical expertise and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives. The advertised schedule is 12-hour nights on a 2-2-3 schedule; the description also notes that shift work may include days, evenings, and overnight shifts, with overtime, weekends, and holidays as needed. The work is performed in manufacturing environments that may be hot, cold, noisy, wet, or dusty, indoors and outdoors. The role involves extended periods of standing and walking, working around machinery and on potentially slippery or uneven surfaces, wearing PPE, handling ingredients and food-grade cleaning chemicals, and performing physical tasks including lifting and carrying loads of up to 50 pounds or more.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent is required.
At least 1 year of manufacturing, production, skilled-trade, or other hands-on operational experience; equivalent combinations of experience and technical aptitude may be considered.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Computer and software proficiency, including MS Office, Teams, and email.
Ability to lift and carry heavy ingredient bags, often 50 pounds or more, frequently; lift from floor to waist or chest height frequently; and lift overhead, often 10 pounds or more, occasionally.
Ability to push or pull heavy equipment, often 50 pounds or more, frequently.
Manual dexterity to grip, twist, and manipulate machinery; operate touchscreens, keyboards, and control panels; and perform repetitive hand and finger movements for documentation.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, up to 12 hours, and to bend, kneel, squat, reach, and use stairs or ladders as required.
Vision sufficient to read written instructions, screens, schematics, and digital displays; adequate hearing to detect machinery sounds and alarms.
Ability to work safely around machinery and maintain stability on wet, slippery, or uneven surfaces.
Ability to work in hot, cold, noisy, wet, or dusty environments and continuously wear required personal protective equipment.
Comfort handling ingredients with natural colors, aromas, or sensory elements that may cause sensitivity or allergic reactions, as well as food-grade chemicals and cleaning agents.
Must adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

Nice To Haves

Two-year degree or technical certification; a STEM degree is highly preferred.
Brewing or fermentation experience.
Filtration experience, such as centrifuge or reverse osmosis.
Forklift experience; certification is not required.

Responsibilities

Operate brewing equipment, including fermenters, filtration equipment, and control systems, according to standard operating procedures.
Monitor blending parameters, including ABV, dissolved oxygen, CO2 concentration, and real extract, using in-line analytical equipment.
Conduct quality checks on raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods; take corrective action on deviations and prevent non-conforming product from reaching the market.
Follow GMP and quality assurance procedures to maintain product integrity and meet customer expectations.
Clean brewing equipment using cleaning-in-place (CIP) procedures to prevent microbial growth or flavor carryover.
Troubleshoot equipment issues, make minor adjustments, and coordinate with maintenance technicians when equipment malfunctions arise.
Follow production schedules and prioritize work to meet production targets and customer demand.
Help optimize brewing processes to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and minimize downtime.
Communicate and coordinate workflow with brewers, packaging operators, maintenance technicians, and other team members.
Maintain accurate production documentation, including batch records, data sheets, and trackers.
Comply with company policies, procedures, and brewing-industry regulatory requirements; participate in audits and inspections.
Identify and report safety hazards, follow safety protocols, and participate in safety training and initiatives.
Cross-train and work in areas including kitting, batching, laboratory work, filtration, raw material unloading, inventory, and control room operations.