Research Pilot Brewery Manager
About The Position
The Department of Food Science & Technology at Oregon State University is seeking a Research Pilot Brewery Manager. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position. OSU's Department of Food Science and Technology is recognized for its excellence in fermentation science, brewing research, and industry engagement, boasting one of the nation's premier brewing science research programs and leading brewing education programs. The department has strong partnerships with breweries, hop growers, maltsters, barley producers, and allied suppliers, offering opportunities for applied research, technology transfer, and industry collaboration. The Research Pilot Brewery Manager will be part of a collaborative team advancing brewing science through research, education, and innovation. This role manages a modern research brewery that supports externally funded research, industry-sponsored projects, and experiential student learning, working alongside faculty, USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists, and industry partners. The manager oversees the OSU Research Pilot Brewery and supports the OSU Beverage Center, which serves as a hub for applied brewing and beverage research, experiential education, industry collaboration, and fee-for-service activities. The position provides technical leadership in pilot-scale beverage production, brewing operations, fermentation, packaging, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, laboratory and brewery safety, and research data collection. The manager will support faculty-led and industry-sponsored research by coordinating experimental production, analytical activities, research documentation, technical reporting, and dissemination of research findings. Additionally, the position contributes to brewing education through hands-on instruction, student mentoring, and curriculum development. As a representative of OSU Brewing Science and the Department of Food Science and Technology, the manager will build relationships with industry partners, prospective students, alumni, and other stakeholders to strengthen the department's research enterprise, enhance student training, and expand collaborations.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in fermentation science, food science, brewing science, microbiology, chemistry, engineering, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience with pilot-scale or commercial-scale brewery, beverage, or food manufacturing operations.
- Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and experience operating, troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing pilot-scale or commercial-scale brewing, fermentation, beverage processing, laboratory, or food processing equipment.
- Experience adhering to budgets and basic accounting.
- Demonstrated ability to cooperate and collaborate effectively with diverse faculty, students, industry clients, vendors, and university stakeholders.
- Must possess, or be able to obtain, a valid Alcohol Service Permit within 30 days of their start date and maintain certification throughout employment.
- Ability to receive OSU forklift certification within 6 months of starting position.
- Must successfully complete a criminal history check.
- Must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence.
Nice To Haves
- Graduate degree in fermentation science, food science, brewing science, microbiology, chemistry, engineering, sensory science, or a closely related field.
- Three or more years of professional experience with brewery or beverage production operations, including fermentation, cellaring, packaging, sanitation, quality assurance, and equipment troubleshooting.
- Documented experience teaching, training, instructing, or mentoring students, employees, clients, or technical staff in brewing, fermentation, laboratory, production, or technical settings.
- Documented experience collecting, organizing, analyzing, and communicating technical, analytical, sensory, production, or experimental data.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information through written reports, technical briefs, training materials, scientific publications, or public or professional presentations.
- Demonstrated experience supporting applied research, pilot-scale experimentation, product development, process optimization, technical service, or industry-sponsored projects in brewing, fermentation, beverage production, or food science.
- Demonstrated experience bringing beverage innovations, new products, process improvements, or ingredient applications from concept through pilot-scale development and/or commercial implementation.
- Familiarity with food safety principles and operational standards, including microbial, chemical, and physical hazard controls, gained through relevant training, certification, or experience working in a food or beverage production facility.
Responsibilities
- Manage and oversee daily operation of the OSU Research Pilot Brewery ensuring safe, efficient, and research & development-oriented production capabilities.
- Support and facilitate the brewing and fermentation research enterprise in collaboration with the Nor’Wester Professor of Fermentation Science.
- Support instructional activities associated with brewing science and education programs.
- Develop and maintain productive collaborations with brewing and beverage industry stakeholders.
- Contribute to the service mission of the Department of Food Science and Technology and Oregon State University.
Benefits
- Full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month position
- Professional faculty position
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
