Packaging Line Operator

Big Grove Brewery•Iowa City, IA

15h

About The Position

The Packaging Line Operator is focused on operating our canning line and kegging line safely and with exceptional attention to maintaining beer quality. This role is vital in supporting the team & executing strategies to place our beverages in cans, ready to be enjoyed by the people.

Requirements

Equipment Operation: Ability to operate, adjust, and troubleshoot packaging machinery (e.g., canning lines, keg washers, labeling machines).
Mechanical Aptitude: Understanding of basic mechanical functions to perform routine maintenance and minor repairs.
Forklift Operation: Certification in safely handling forklifts for material transport.
Quality Control: Ensure product packaging meets company standards and regulatory requirements.
Troubleshooting: Ability to identify and resolve equipment issues quickly to minimize downtime.
Attention to Detail: Ensure accuracy in labeling, packaging, and quality control.
Collaboration: Working effectively with all parts of production teams.
Clear Communication: Report issues, inventory levels, and operational concerns in a clear and timely manner.
Standing for Long Periods: Requires being on your feet for extended shifts, often 8+ hours.
Frequent Lifting & Carrying: Lifting heavy equipment , cases of beer and kegs, often weighing up to 50 lbs.
Fast & Continuous Movement: Walking, bending, reaching, and turning quickly to keep up with packaging demands.
Repetitive Motions – Engaging in tasks such as packing, stacking, labeling, and operating machinery.
Endurance & Stamina: High energy and focus needed to sustain fast-paced work for long shifts.
Dexterity & Hand-Eye Coordination: Essential for precise packaging, canning, etc

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent.
Up to 1 year of related management experience
1-3 years of experience working in the brewery industry
Packaging line operation experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Follow and enforce all brewery safety procedures and safe work practices.
Partner with the Quality Lab to ensure canning operations meet quality and specification standards.
Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair packaging equipment, including the canning line, labeler, PakTech applicator, and cartoner.
Use the Hach TPO meter to perform CO₂ and dissolved oxygen (DO) checks and document results as required.
Coordinate with the Packaging Manager/Assistant Packaging Manager to execute canning runs and support distributor order fulfillment.
Diagnose technical issues and implement solutions to minimize downtime in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Clean, sanitize, and maintain the canning line, surrounding work area, and associated equipment.
Operate the bottling line in accordance with established SOPs.
Monitor packaging supply inventory (e.g., PakTechs, labels, empty cans) and communicate par levels and reorder needs.
Perform routine preventative maintenance on pumps, valves, and related equipment.
Proactively identify recurring issues, perform root-cause analysis, and drive corrective actions; expect and address daily operational challenges.
Be a high performing Big Grove team member with ability to look at business as a whole, communicate with all people, collaborate with all departments, work to solve organizational problems, and accomplish goals. Contribute to and exemplify Big Grove values, vision, standards, and culture.