Brewer / Blending & Batching Operator

Position Summary:

We're hiring a Brewer / Blending & Batching Operator to work across our brewhouse and blending operations. In the brewhouse, you'll process raw brewing ingredients (malted grain, hops, water, etc.) into sweet wort on a daily basis using brewhouse vessels and equipment. In the batch room, you'll prepare and mix ingredients to produce syrups and Ready-to-Drink (RTD) beverages for our bottling and packaging operations, based on recipe formulations and mixing instructions, and complete clean-in-place (CIP) processes.

In both roles, you'll use your knowledge of the brewing and blending processes and your control over our internal infrastructure to produce high-quality wort and RTD beverages to the exact specifications called for by any given recipe, including the controlled introduction of specifically prescribed yeast and ingredients (variety and quantity) into every batch. This position consists of functionally sensitive, time-consuming tasks that must be completed in specific orientations and on tight schedules to meet high client expectations and strict production deadlines. You must uphold strict sanitary practices, as you will handle our product in its most vulnerable stages.

Please note: Beverage, brewing, or manufacturing experience is required for this position.

Perks (Full-Time): 40 hrs PTO + 80 hrs Vacation per calendar year (prorated by start date), competitive health benefits.

Key Responsibilities – Brewhouse:

• Employ a grain mill to crush recipe-prescribed malts/grains to a predetermined particle size.

• Use a combination of brewhouse equipment to produce sweet wort from raw, unprocessed ingredients for beer production and yeast propagation.

• Prepare recipe-specific cereal mashes, achieving recipe-specific thermal/pH conditions and using measurement utensils to confirm that standards have been achieved.

• Successfully and efficiently separate sweet wort from the cereal mash during the lautering process, using lauter-tun equipment along with pre-prescribed specialty ingredients to transfer aqueous mash extractives to the boil kettle.

• Conduct and monitor heat sterilization of sweet wort using a boil kettle, and conduct time-sensitive ingredient additions based on a schedule pre-determined by recipe specifics.

• Conduct precise, post-boil thermal adjustment using brewhouse pumps and the brewhouse heat-exchanger to achieve specific temperature reduction prior to final brewhouse ingredient additions.

• Use brewhouse equipment to sanitarily transfer final sweet-wort preparation from brewhouse vessels to cleaned AND sanitized fermentation vessels.

• With the assistance of management and/or the QA/QC department, conduct sanitary yeast handling practices through which pre-prescribed yeast quantities are targeted, assessed, harvested, and transferred to and from batches of product.

• Conduct semi-regular cleaning and preventative maintenance of brewhouse equipment, and maintain the cleanliness of the brewhouse production area.

• Assist cellar employees with cellaring duties if and when possible or necessary.

Key Responsibilities – Blending & Batching:

• Review daily production schedules to coordinate product to be run, and execute beverage blending schedules as per the published plan.

• Mix and blend ingredients to create syrups and RTD batches according to recipe formulations and mixing instructions.

• Control syrup flow to production lines.

• Use C-Box to check dissolved oxygen, CO2, and temperature of blends; carbonate and nitrogenate blends as directed in recipes.

• Dilute RTD into storage vessels and bright beer tank vessels.

• Follow SOPs for washing and sanitation of blending preparation vessels, RTD storage vessels, and associated transfer lines, including rinsing out transfer lines and preparation vessels after RTD is prepared.

• Clean and sanitize production lines following the appropriate process as determined by flavor characteristics and the sanitation matrix.

• Maintain, clean, and sanitize batch room equipment, area, and tools.

• Understand and troubleshoot the basic RTD makeup process, including basic dilution.

• Work independently in the Filtration / Cellars areas on a shift rotation basis.

Key Responsibilities – Shared:

• Employ semi-automated CIP equipment to appropriately clean AND sanitize all food processing equipment.

• Handle ingredients responsibly and sanitarily: prepare ingredients as instructed by management and re-package partially used ingredient packages in a secure, sanitary fashion for later use.

• Monitor and organize ingredient inventories by product type, lot code, and expiry date, following the FIFO principle, and maintain organization of ingredient storage spaces.

• Employ sterile sample-collection techniques to obtain product samples for laboratory analysis and quality checks.

• Partner with Quality Assurance and the Lab to maintain product specifications and ensure food quality.

• Thoroughly document all aspects of each recipe's completion, including batch sheets with ingredient quantities, lot numbers, and expiration dates.

• Use internal production software to report ingredient usage and completion of assigned/scheduled production tasks.

• Ensure all products are manufactured safely by following Good Manufacturing Practices and Safe Quality Food standards; be knowledgeable regarding 247 Packaging Food Safety and Food Quality Standards (BRC, GMP, HACCP).

• Follow safety and quality protocols as per SOPs and directions from Lead Hands, Supervisors, and 247 Packaging Management, and wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment.

• Safely operate a powered industrial forklift for moving raw materials.

• Occasionally conduct manual cleaning of tertiary production equipment for sanitary handling of product, yeast, and/or ingredients.

• Work with the facility maintenance department to conduct equipment repair when deemed necessary.

• Communicate key information to Brewers, Cellars, Filtration, and Management teams (safety, quality, efficiency, tank, and equipment issues), and support the wider Brewing Department when required (such as inventory and periodic deep cleaning of areas).

If you're a dedicated craft beer lover wanting to work in a team-focused and employee-forward environment, we want to hear from you!

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)

• Dental insurance

• Employee assistance program

• Employee discount

• Health insurance

• Life insurance

• On-the-job training

• Paid time off

• Parental leave

• Professional development assistance

• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8-hour shifts (day, afternoon & overnight), potential for overtime

• Shift rotation

Experience:

• Brewing, beverage, or manufacturing: 1 year (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Clifton Park, NY 12065 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Clifton Park, NY 12065: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Pay: $20.00 - $26.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person