Brewery Tech II

BREWERY TECHNICIAN II

Position Summary

The Brewery Technician II is responsible for the safe, consistent, and efficient execution of brewery operations in a small, hands-on production environment. The primary areas of responsibility for this role include packaging, filtration, and cellar operations. Depending on daily production needs, the Brewery Technician II is expected to independently operate and execute work in any of these three core areas.

The Brewery Technician II is also expected to support a wide range of operational duties beyond primary assignments, including sanitation, warehouse tasks, routine quality checks, basic equipment upkeep, and incidental brewhouse support when needed. The Brewery Technician II must be capable of assisting Brewery Technician III with brewhouse operations as assigned.

The Brewery Technician II reports to the Brewing Supervisor and is expected to work collaboratively with the production team across multiple operational areas as required by daily brewery needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate automated packaging equipment, with primary emphasis on automated can filling systems, keg filling systems, flash pasteurizer operation, and associated packaging line equipment.
• Perform packaging line setup, startup, shutdown, product changeovers, package changeovers, cleaning, sanitation, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
• Perform end-of-line packaging and palletizing tasks, including manual handling of packed beer cases into carton trays, manual palletizing of finished cartons, and manual handling and palletizing of filled kegs, as required to support canning and kegging operations.
• Transport completed pallets of finished product to designated cold storage or other assigned warehouse locations using a forklift, pallet jack, or other approved material-handling equipment, in accordance with company safety procedures.
• Operate beer filtration equipment and related process systems, including centrifuge, sheet filter, pumps, and bright beer routing, as applicable to the brewery.
• Execute cellar operations as a primary responsibility, including rinsing, venting, Clean in Place (CIP), tank preparation, tank transfers, dry hopping, cone drops, beer treatments, yeast handling support, and other fermentation and maturation activities.
• Prepare filtration lines, pumps, tanks, fittings, and process routes for safe and sanitary operation.
• Perform Clean in Place (CIP) and Clean Out of Place (COP) procedures on tanks, brewhouse vessels, process lines, filtration equipment, packaging equipment, and related production assets.
• Pull production samples and perform basic routine process checks such as density, pH, temperature, carbonation, and other production or quality checks as assigned.
• Maintain cleanliness, order, and sanitation in all production areas, including cellar, filtration, packaging, brewhouse support areas, and general production spaces.
• Complete accurate and legible production, sanitation, quality, safety, and maintenance-related records.
• Use desktop computer systems and plant software, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools, for data entry, reporting, and documentation.
• Support routine warehouse-related tasks as needed, including movement of raw materials, packaging materials, finished goods, and production supplies.
• Support minor maintenance tasks, basic equipment care, and small repairs within the scope of the role.
• Assist Brewery Technician III with brewhouse operation when needed.
• Follow all company safety policies, food safety requirements, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Work flexible schedules, including weekends, evenings, holidays, and overtime, as production demands require.

Required Qualifications

• Formal brewing education, a brewing credential, or a related technical degree is required. The applicant must possess at least one of the following:

• Documented completion of a formal brewing education program from a recognized brewing education provider, including a certificate or diploma of completion, or
• A documented brewing science or brewing technology credential earned through structured coursework and assessment, including one or more courses or training modules that collectively result in a substantive brewing qualification comparable to the General Certificate in Brewing issued by the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD), or an equivalent credential, or
• A documented internal brewing certification issued by a reputable brewing company or organization, provided the certification is based on formal training and successful completion of examinations, practical evaluations, thesis review, defense, or other rigorous technical assessment, or
• An Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Brewing, Fermentation Science, Food Science, Biological Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or another closely related field.

• Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience operating automated can filling equipment in a brewery, beverage plant, or similar manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in brewery packaging, filtration, and cellar operations.
• Strong working knowledge of Clean in Place (CIP), Clean Out of Place (COP), sanitation, and hygienic process practices.
• Forklift and pallet jack experience required, or ability to become certified/qualified under company procedures.
• Ability to work safely and effectively in a fast-paced production environment with limited supervision.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of assigned tasks, and shift between operational areas based on daily production priorities.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Ability to complete production documentation accurately and perform basic computer tasks.
• Forklift and pallet jack proficiency, or ability to become qualified.
• Ability to lift 55 pounds repeatedly and safely perform physically demanding production work.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, reach, and work in hot, cold, wet, humid, outdoor, or confined conditions as required.

Assessment Requirement

Candidates for this position may be required to successfully complete a brewery assessment as part of the hiring process, as determined by the company. The assessment, if required, may consist of written, verbal, and/or practical hands-on evaluation, in any combination the company deems appropriate. Topics may include packaging operations, cellar activities, filtration, sanitation, process understanding, troubleshooting, brewing calculations, safe equipment operation, general production knowledge, and knowledge of automated control systems, control logic, interlocks, alarms, and basic process automation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional experience assisting with automated brewhouse operations.
• Experience in a small brewery or other lean production environment where operators are expected to work across multiple functional areas.
• Working knowledge of pneumatic systems, steam systems, industrial refrigeration, heat exchange, sanitary process piping, pumps, valves, and automated industrial systems.
• Ability to perform brewing and process calculations.
• Experience with inventory control, stock staging, and general warehouse support in a production setting.
• Strong organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and a safety-conscious, quality-minded approach to work.
• Positive attitude, reliability, and ability to work effectively as part of a small team.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift 55 pounds repeatedly, move, palletize, and transport materials and finished products as part of routine packaging and warehouse operations.
• Ability to move hoses, clamps, fittings, and production materials safely.
• Ability to manipulate tri-clamps and brewery hoses.
• Ability to stoop, kneel, crawl, climb, and work in tight spaces.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, including shifts up to 10 to 12 hours.
• Ability to work in hot, cold, wet, humid, and outdoor environments.
• Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and pass a respirator fit test if required.