Job Description:
A Yeast and Fermentation Specialist will manage the health, propagation, and performance of yeast strains to ensure consistent beer quality, flavor profile, and fermentation efficiency in a commercial brewery.
Yeast Management & Propagation
- Maintain the brewery culture library and strain purity.
- Propagate yeast from laboratory slants up to production pitch volumes.
- Determine precise pitching rates based on cell counts and viability.
- Manage yeast harvesting, storage, and re-pitching schedules.
Quality Control & Laboratory Analysis
- Perform daily cell counts, viability testing, and vitality assessments.
- Conduct microbiological testing to detect wild yeast or bacterial contamination.
- Run forced fermentation tests to predict final attenuation.
- Utilize PCR, microscopy, and selective media (e.g., HLP, LCSM) for QA/QC.
Fermentation Monitoring
- Track gravity, temperature, and pH profiles of active fermentations.
- Analyze fermentation data to identify and troubleshoot sluggish or stuck fermentations.
- Optimize fermentation profiles to control flavor compound production (esters, phenols, diacetyl).
System Sanitation & Operations
- Clean and sanitize yeast propagation plants, brinks, and transfer lines.
- Standardize Clean-In-Place (CIP) loops for yeast-handling equipment.
- Collaborate with brewing teams to optimize wort composition for yeast health (nutrients, dissolved oxygen).
Monitor the performance of a quality management system, producing data, and measuring quality operations against KPI’s. Provide feedback, and guidance as needed to resolve process and business-related issues.
Production and shift work in brewhouse, cellar, or packaging will be required. Operator will be cross trained on all brewhouse, cellar, and lab functions.
Job Responsibilities, including but not limited to:
- Wort production, cellar operations, and lab practices will all be required of this position.
- Assures quality products and processes by establishing and enforcing quality standards and testing materials and products.
- Maintains product quality by enforcing quality assurance policies and procedures and government requirements.
- Collaborates with other members of management to develop new product and engineering designs and manufacturing and training methods.
- Prepares product and process quality reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
- Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.
- Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
- Ensure the company’s quality assurance and safety programs keep pace with innovation and growing complexity of the brewing facility and processes. List to include but not limited to Prost Brewing
- Operate with both brewing and cellar teams. Train, and develop team members. Hold individuals accountable for their performance.
- Production and shift work will be required on an as needed basis.
- Maintain a culture of innovation and engagement with all staff.
- As needed; involvement / coordination for all marketing and promotional needs of Prost Brewing Company.
- As needed; involvement / assistance with public events and promotional activities.
Qualifications and Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology, Engineering, or related field is preferred. Brewing specific education is preferred. Please specify on resume.
- Self-motivated and able to work both independently as well as in a group situation with excellent communication.
- High level of organization and proven success managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Ability to communicate effectively and take initiative.
- Proficient with Microsoft office and other office related software.
- Understanding of brewery regulatory compliance, beer science, craft beer and culture - specifically around German style lagers/ales.
- Comprehensive understanding of all operational stages of a manufacturing facility’s internal and external supply chains.
- Ability to compile, interpret, and communicate data in audience-relevant formats.
- Strong presentation skills. Ability to deliver impactful communications to groups of varying sizes and compositions.
Physical Requirements
- Frequent physical movement in a manufacturing/lab environment with moderate to loud noise.
- Ability to work on / around potentially dangerous equipment/machinery with moving mechanical parts.
- Ability to work in tight/cramped workspaces. Ability to work in highly precarious places including ladders and steps.
- Ability to work with brewing chemicals, and cleaning agents.
- Ability to work with lab chemicals, including hazardous materials.
- Heavy lifting required (50+lbs)
- Ability to stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, etc. for extended periods of time.
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental and Vision Coverage
- Eligible for performance bonus based on annual production.
- Paid vacation
Pay: $23.00 - $27.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
