Brewer / Cellar Operator

FX Matt Brewing Company is seeking a motivated Brewer / Cellar Operator to join our Brewing Operations team.

This position is responsible for the safe, efficient and consistent production of beer through both the brewhouse and fermentation/cellaring processes. The successful candidate will be trained to operate modern brewing equipment, monitor fermentation performance, complete sanitation and CIP procedures, maintain accurate production records, troubleshoot process issues and work closely with Brewing, Quality, Maintenance and other production departments.

This is a hands-on production position. The ideal candidate is dependable, mechanically inclined, comfortable working around automated equipment and interested in learning not only how our brewing processes work, but why each step is important to beer quality, consistency and efficiency.

Starting Pay Range: $20.00 - $21.50/hr with opportunity for cross-training add-on and apprenticeship progression that could lead to $24-$25/hr.

Requirements

· Operate brewhouse equipment safely and efficiently according to established recipes, schedules and Standard Operating Procedures.

· Perform milling and raw-material handling operations.

· Complete mash-in, mashing, wort filtration, wort boiling, whirlpool and wort-transfer operations.

· Accurately stage, weigh and verify brewing ingredients.

· Monitor process temperatures, pressures, flow rates, times and other critical brewing parameters.

· Make appropriate process adjustments within established operating procedures.

· Complete required brewhouse CIP and sanitation procedures.

· Verify equipment and tanks are clean, prepared and ready prior to production.

· Identify abnormal operating conditions and communicate equipment or process concerns to supervision.

· Assist with troubleshooting brewing equipment and process issues.

· Maintain an organized, clean and inspection-ready brewhouse.

· Prepare fermenters and associated equipment for incoming wort.

· Transfer wort into fermentation vessels following established procedures.

· Assist with and perform yeast pitching and yeast-management procedures.

· Monitor fermentation progress including gravity, temperature, fermentation timing, tank pressure and yeast performance.

· Perform yeast collection and sediment removal/scraping procedures as required.

· Complete tank cooling, maturation and aging steps according to the production schedule.

· Perform dry hopping and other cellar additions when required.

· Conduct tank and process-line CIP and sanitation.

· Prepare beer for transfer to downstream processing operations.

· Verify tank status, process steps and production requirements before making transfers or process changes.

· Identify fermentation or cellar conditions outside normal operating ranges and communicate concerns promptly.

Brewmaxx, Process Control & Computer Skills

· Operate and monitor brewing and cellar processes through the Brewmaxx HMI/process-control system.

· Navigate Brewmaxx screens to monitor tank status, temperatures, pressures, flows, process steps, valves, pumps and equipment status.

· Start, monitor and verify automated production and CIP sequences.

· Recognize alarms, process interruptions and abnormal equipment conditions.

· Understand when an automated sequence is operating correctly and when operator intervention or supervisor/maintenance assistance is required.

· Verify the correct tank, recipe, process step and equipment before starting operations.

· Accurately enter and review production information within computerized systems.

· Review historical process information and trends when troubleshooting production or quality issues.

· Maintain accurate electronic production records and shift information.

· Use Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheets for production tracking, fermentation information, scheduling and process documentation.

· Use Microsoft Outlook, Teams and other company communication systems as required.

· Access and follow electronic SOPs, work instructions, production schedules and training materials.

· Learn new digital tools and production technology as they are introduced.

Quality Responsibilities

· Follow all established recipes, process specifications and SOPs.

· Accurately monitor and record process data.

· Review process information rather than simply completing assigned steps.

· Recognize when gravity, temperature, timing, pressure or other process conditions are outside normal expectations.

· Communicate quality concerns immediately.

· Work closely with the Quality/Lab team on fermentation monitoring and product release requirements.

· Help prevent product loss, contamination, oxygen pickup and other conditions that may negatively affect finished beer quality.

· Maintain proper sanitation and hygienic practices throughout all brewing and cellar operations.

Qualifications

· Strong basic computer skills are required.

· Previous experience with Brewmaxx is highly desirable but not required.

· Previous experience with an automated manufacturing control system, HMI, PLC-based system or similar process-control technology is a plus.

· Brewing or fermentation experience is preferred but not required for a candidate with strong manufacturing, mechanical or process-operation experience.

· Strong mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn.

· Ability to follow detailed procedures consistently and recognize abnormal operating conditions.

· Comfortable using Microsoft Excel, Outlook and other common computer programs.

· Able to accurately enter, retrieve and interpret production data.

· Good communication skills and ability to work independently while functioning as part of a production team.

· Dependable, self-motivated and results-focused.

· Willingness to learn multiple areas of Brewing Operations.

· Commitment to producing safe, consistent, high-quality beer.

Benefits

Job Type: Full-time

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status, marital or familial status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, New York State, or local law.