Head Brewer

Job Description: Head Brewer

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 5000 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

Abilities:

Communicate effectively with cellar team, brewers, and management/ownership
Hold yourself and others accountable

Leadership Responsibilities and Duties:

Set a positive example for the rest of the brewery team
Ability to brew beer and perform cellar work
Ideally limit brewing/cellar work to 2-3 days per week, leaving time for managerial duties

Managerial Duties:
General managing of all production staff
Oversee wort and finished beer production
Handle minor disciplinary actions.  Communicate with Dir. of Ops.
Divide up workday between brewers and cellarmen in accordance with production schedule
Provide full 8 hr 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)

Yeast management:
Harvest and pitch yeast in accordance with brewery practices
Check yeast viability and density using Cellometer/microscope
Check yeast vitality when necessary

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. Reach out for advice/ideas if needed.  Share recipe with Dir. of Ops.
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

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

Manage Beer Competition Entries:
Stay up to date with competitions
Determine best style categories for beers
Enter beers into competitions

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.
Communicate personnel issues with Dir. of Ops.

Teamwork/Communication:

Fosters a culture of education, internal collaboration, and continuous process improvement.
Contributes to weekly team meetings along with Dir. of Ops.
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 and PTO programs. Medical, dental, and vision packages available.

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.