DESTIHL Brewery is seeking a passionate and driven individual to lead our brewery cellar team.
Job Summary
Individuals in this role are responsible for the day-to-day oversight of the cellar and subordinate staff per the instruction from the Brewmaster or Director of Brewery Operations (DOBO) and within the guidelines and parameters of DESTIHL policies and procedures. The position requires significant experience and training in many facets of professional brewery operations. In this job you will be responsible for leading, managing and coaching of the cellar department team members in interpersonal and technical growth, as well as directing and optimizing the operational performance of cellaring processes at DESTIHL and cellar record-keeping as required by regulations.
Responsibilities
- Supervise, manage, monitor and oversee all day-to-day cellar operations, processes and staff to ensure all beer is transferred, cellared and prepared for packaging according to brewery SOPs, standards & specifications of each recipe.
- Plan, apportion and direct the work of subordinate cellar department employees and assist the DOBO in scheduling such staff to ensure prioritized tasks are completed in a timely manner and to prevent disruption to the production schedule.
- Regularly appraise cellar department employees’ productivity and efficiency for the purpose of recommending promotions, hiring, firing, advancement or other changes in status to be particularly weighed and considered by the DOBO and assist in handling cellar department employee complaints, grievances and discipline.
- Provide leadership and direct floor supervision of subordinate staff in a lead-by-example and assist with interviewing, hiring, training, promoting and disciplinary decision-making.
- Develop a daily and weekly cellar task list and ensure the performance and completion of such tasks as required by the needs/timeline of each beer in process with specific attention to prioritized tasks as deemed necessary to accomplish shared production goals.
- Assist in the review of the cellar/packaging schedule and notify the Brewmaster and/or DOBO of any unforeseen issues and monitor beer production schedule to ensure that cellar work is done in advance of brewing day.
- Assist fellow management team with short- and long-term strategic planning to ensure capacity is available to meet production and sales goals.
- Monitor, implement and maintain meticulous production records on all processes related to fermentation, recipe adherence, government/legal reporting and compliance measures, and equipment maintenance and ensure subordinate staff have properly documented their activities throughout the day both with written logs as well as through brewery software.
- Must be more adept in this position than subordinate staff at the business side of the brewery in order to execute and vet comprehensive recordkeeping and hold yourself and your team accountable.
- Maintain and facilitate constructive and healthy communication with team members throughout the company and act as a role model for teamwork, collaboration and open/honest communication.
- Ensure recipe replication, quality and consistency and assist the Brewmaster with recipe input, issues and QC matters.
- Must still personally perform all duties of subordinate staff as needed and provide hands-on relief of all brewery positions as and when needed.
- Ensure the clean and sanitary condition of all equipment (top to bottom; inside and out) and brewery work areas to maintain consistent beer quality and tour-ready condition of the entire brewery.
- Provide support & leadership in partnership with Quality Assurance staff regarding QA/QC initiatives, requirements or issues.
- Assist the company in determining the type of materials, supplies, machinery, equipment or tools to be used, bought or stocked, monitoring quality of equipment & supplies, and assist in monitoring, stocking, managing and reporting shortages in supplies such as raw materials, brewing & cellar supplies, chemicals and safety supplies as needed and in preparing End of Period Inventories, and ensure quantities are accurate and promptly report any loss, shortages or breakage.
- Inform fellow management team members of any problems, accidents, ruined/dumped beer, missing inventories, equipment breakdowns, leaks, repairs, any notices from or contact by or with local, state and federal regulators or agencies, etc.
- Perform occasional weekend gravity checks or oxygenation as needed.
- Manage and provide for the safety and security of employees and the property. Ensure that all staff conduct all cellar/brewery operations in a safe & cautious manner, wear protective clothing, footwear and eyewear when handling any hazardous materials, and do not allow the general public or any other non-brewery personnel or non-trained brewery personnel to handle such materials or come in reasonable proximity thereto.
- Be knowledgeable of all emergency shutoff switches, breakers and electrical disconnects, all pressure relief valves and maximum operating pressures for tanks and kegs, and all other safety procedures for every piece of equipment and every brewery operation.
Qualifications
- Physical Abilities: Must frequently perform difficult physical activities in a variety of harsh and uncomfortable environmental conditions that require moderate to maximum strength and endurance including sitting, kneeling, crawling, climbing, working in tight areas, heavy lifting of 161 lb. kegs, 55 lb. bags of grain and even heavier spent grain and 60 lb. LME buckets, balancing, walking and safe handling of hazardous materials.
- Analytical & Technical Skills: Must use logic and reason to identify problems, solutions and alternatives for a successful outcome in many situations, including cost/benefit/risk analysis; service and product quality; and conflict resolution. Performance of work in this position requires advanced knowledge that is predominantly intellectual in character and requiring the consistent exercise of discretion and judgment. Must have extensive professional brewing and/or cellar experience and knowledge of brewing fundamentals, science, chemistry, yeast & microbiology, beer sensory analysis and other brewery processes. Must be mechanically inclined. Must have & maintain an Illinois EPA Class K Wastewater Certification at all times. A college degree and/or formal brewing education is preferred, especially in related fields of chemistry, biology, fermentation sciences (and civil engineering with respect to wastewater management). Computer skills (Excel, Word, Internet and E-Mail) are required.
- Communication: Must show a commitment to details, both verbally and non-verbally; encourage professional, courteous, respectful, cooperative and consistent levels of communication with brewery and restaurant staff and management; read and understand instructions, SOP’s, policies, company memorandums and handbooks; and communicate with little or no additional direction.
- Interpersonal Relationships & Staff Development: Must adapt to different personalities of vendors and coworkers without losing focus or getting distracted from the task at hand and must possess the highest professional ethics and avoid conflicts or inappropriate behavior or situations with others. Provide for ample instruction, leadership, training and development of staff members pursuant to and consistent with DESTIHL’s concept, methods, SOPs and policies.
- Problem Solving, Quality Control and Priority Assessment: Evaluate current practices, policies and processes; immediately recognize and report to the Brewmaster or Brewery Operations Manager any potential problems and areas of conflict or potential improvement; and suggest ways to improve current business methods, quality of products and services to contract customers and wholesalers. Must be able to effectively prioritize work, increase efficiency and minimize or eliminate mistakes or oversights.
Join us as our Cellar Manager to lead innovative brewing processes while fostering a safe, efficient, and high-quality production environment!
Pay: From $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Brewery: 2 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
