Zilker Brewing Company is looking for a person who is passionate about quality and community. We are expanding our distribution footprint and offerings in Central Texas, and are seeking a talented and experienced head brewer to add to our team. Opened in 2015, we are an urban brewery located in East Austin, TX with a focus on distinctive small batch beers, and a solid core lineup of beer for wider distribution in the Austin metro area. Our brewhouse is a flexible 15bbl system with output around 5500 bbls. Our values are providing a high quality experience in all aspects of our business, and maintaining a focus on our local community.
Qualities:
Alignment with Zilker goals and mission
Highly self-motivated
Very organized
Positive attitude
Desire to learn and grow
Mental and physical fortitude to push through during challenging times
Leadership Responsibilities and Duties:
Communicate effectively with brewers, cellar team, and management/ownership
Participate in manager/leadership, and lead production meetings
Set a positive example for the rest of the brewery team
Brewing/cellar work as needed
Managerial Duties:
General managing of all production staff
Motive and lead the team to achieve company goals
Oversee wort and finished beer production
Production schedule management
Provide a full day for each fulltime production member
Account for breaks
Assign downtime tasks if needed to fulfill 8 hr day
Hold brewers accountable for daily tasks
Communicate conflicts within the schedule due to vacations, illness, tanks, etc)
Handle disciplinary actions
Accountability
Ensures the highest quality beer is being created in the facility
Ensure all brew house work has been completed for the day in accordance with the production schedule.
Ensure applicable work areas have been cleaned by end of day.
Ensure applicable equipment has been turned off for the day.
Manage Quality Assurance Program
Use applicable programs to ensure overall beer quality
Use to manage packaged beer sensory reviews and track data where applicable
Define brands based on sensory and quality
Ensure beers stay on brand (using ingredients, process, and sensory)
Examine shelf life for core brands
Organize and lead sensory training for all staff
Administrative
Manage raw ingredients and purchasing
Oversee hop freshness program
Hops dated, labeled, sealed, etc. by cellar workers, brewers or yourself
Monthly inventory of raw ingredients (hops, grain, whirlfloc, yeastex, salts, etc.)
Manage brewery aids, chemicals, and small parts (and purchasing of)
Monthly inventory of cleaners, fining agents, ALDC, etc.
Communicate with brewers or cellar workers if needed
Establish and maintain digital record of brewing and cellar statistics (use these for record keeping as well as observing trends & efficiencies for troubleshooting).
Generate and track cost of beer
Maintain current tax batch data
Develop new recipes
Coordinate and communicate regarding beer collaborations
Keep Brewhouse and Tank Cleaning Log up to date
Print new sheets
Reschedule cleaning cycles, if needed
Once a quarter customer facetime (beer tastings, pint night, events, etc.)
Train new brew team members on applicable work
Provide available SOPs
Create new SOPs and update existing, if needed
Exhibit patience, work knowledge, and experience
Fully evaluate trainee and communicate with Dir. of Ops./management
Communicate new beer offerings with taproom staff and social media staff
Participate in professional organizations and training opportunities
Yeast management
Harvest and pitch yeast in accordance with brewery practices
Check yeast viability and density using Cellometer/microscope
Check yeast vitality when necessary
Manage Beer Competition Entries
Stay up to date with competitions
Determine best style categories for beers
Enter beers into competitions
Teamwork/Communication:
Fosters a culture of education, internal collaboration, and continuous process improvement.
Lead weekly team meetings
Communicates changes in process, expectations, personnel, equipment, etc. effectively and promptly with all necessary personnel.
Ask questions, double check work to prevent mistakes which may cost money, time, and effort to fix.
Direct traffic in the brewery during daily operations to optimize workflow and safety
Flexibility:
All staff will be expected to fill multiple roles as necessary to ensure smooth operation and the success of the brand. This is the nature of a smaller craft brewery, especially one seeking to grow either in production volume or quality.
Willingness to do tasks outside the scope of the Head Brewer position (packaging work eg.).
Contribute ideas to ensure company's long term success
Accessible for remote communication in off hours
Willing to work staggered shifts as required by the production schedule
Willing to work weekends if required by the production schedule.
Compensation/Benefits:
Competitive compensation based on experience and skills.
PTO starting at 10 days(2 weeks), additional time added as you stay
6 paid holidays per year
Bereavement/Maternity/Paternity leave
Medical, dental, and vision
Weekly/Monthly beer/merch allowance
Opportunities to participate in paid industry events around the country
Zilker Brewing Company provides an equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.