Hot Side Production Manager

Hot Side Production Manager

About Us

Big Ring Beverages is a beverage incubator and consulting company. We produce a diverse range of beverages, including full-strength beer, non-alcoholic beer, Delta-9 THC beverages, malt-based beverages, and other still and carbonated beverages. To date, all of our products have been produced via third-party contract manufacturers. We are opening a facility in Austin to bring production under one roof.

We're seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Hot Side Production Manager to oversee the critical initial stages of our beverage production process.

Job Overview

As the Hot Side Production Manager, you will be responsible for all aspects of the hot side operations in our beverage production facility. This includes managing all processes related to wort production, ensuring optimal efficiency, consistency, and quality in the crucial first steps of beverage creation.

Primary Responsibilities

- Oversee all hot side operations, including milling, mashing, lautering, boiling, and wort cooling for various beverage types

- Manage and optimize hot side processes to ensure efficiency and consistency in wort production

- Develop and refine mash and boil recipes for different beverage styles, focusing on extracting optimal flavors and achieving desired specifications

- Operate and maintain hot side equipment, including grain mills, mash tuns, lauter tuns, brew kettles, whirlpools, and wort chillers

- Implement and manage quality control procedures for all hot-side processes

- Monitor and control utilities related to hot side operations, including steam, hot liquor, and cooling systems

- Manage grain handling, milling operations, and adjunct additions

- Ensure compliance with safety protocols and sanitation standards in hot side areas

- Train and supervise hot-side production staff on equipment operation and process techniques

- Collaborate with the cold side team to ensure smooth transitions from wort production to fermentation

- Manage hot side inventory, including raw materials and cleaning chemicals

- Implement sustainability practices in hot-side operations, focusing on water and energy efficiency

- Coordinate with the R&D team on new recipe development and pilot batches

- Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to wort production and quality

Qualifications

- Minimum 3 years of experience in beverage production, with at least 3 years focused on hot-side operations

- In-depth knowledge of mashing biochemistry, wort composition, and its impact on final beverage quality

- Strong understanding of heat exchange processes and steam systems

- Experience with automated brewhouse systems and process control software

- Expertise in CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems and sanitation procedures for hot-side equipment

- Advanced knowledge of water chemistry and its role in mashing and wort production

- Understanding of FDA, TTB, and other relevant regulations pertaining to beverage production

- HACCP certification (preferred)

Skills

- Expert troubleshooting abilities for hot-side equipment and processes

- Strong analytical skills for interpreting brewing data and making process improvements

- Excellent sensory evaluation skills for wort assessment

- Proficiency in calculating and adjusting recipes for consistent results at various batch sizes

- Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays as needed

- Physically capable of working in a hot, wet environment and lifting up to 55 lbs

- Strong leadership and team management skills

- Excellent communication skills for coordinating with other departments

- Adaptability to work with different beverage styles and hot-side production methods

We Offer

- $60,000 base salary

- Guaranteed salary increase of 3% every 6 months

- 10 days paid time off as well as holidays. Additional PTO to be added annually.

- Opportunity for annual bonus (requires presentation to leadership)

- Additional Benefit package to be negotiated during the hiring process

We are a stable company, and we are looking for stable individuals to work with us.

Life is too damn short to be grumpy.

Big Ring is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity in our workforce. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

To apply, please send an email with the following information to josh@bigring.beer;

1.       Why do you love producing beverages (under 100 words)

2.       Explain your approach to problem-solving (under 200 words)

3.       How do you contribute more than you take away from life (under 300 words)

4.       Provide 2 references