Cold Side Production Manager

Cold Side Production Manager Job Description

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.

Job Overview

As the Cold Side Production Manager, you will be responsible for all aspects of Cold Side operations in our beverage production facility. This includes managing processes from wort cooling through fermentation, maturation, and preparation for packaging of beer, blending and preparation for packaging of sparkling beverages, and ensuring optimal flavor development, consistency, and quality in the final stages of beverage creation.

Key Responsibilities

- Oversee all cold-side operations, including fermentation, conditioning, filtration, carbonation, and packaging for various beverage types

- Manage and optimize fermentation processes to ensure efficiency and consistency in flavor development

- Develop and refine fermentation profiles for different beverage styles, focusing on achieving desired flavors, aromas, and specifications

- Operate and maintain cold-side equipment, including fermenters, bright tanks, centrifuges, filters, and carbonation systems

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

- Monitor and control temperature management systems, including glycol chillers, packaging equipment, and jacketed tanks

- Manage yeast handling, including propagation, storage, pitching, and cropping

- Oversee dry hopping, fruit additions, and other post-fermentation ingredient additions

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

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

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

- Manage cold side inventory, including yeasts, adjuncts, cleaning chemicals, and packaging materials

- Implement sustainability practices in cold-side operations, focusing on energy efficiency and waste reduction

- Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to fermentation, conditioning, and final beverage quality

Qualifications

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

- In-depth knowledge of fermentation biochemistry and microbiology

- Strong understanding of flavor development during fermentation and conditioning

- Expertise in yeast management and propagation techniques

- Proficiency in CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems and sanitation procedures for cold-side equipment

- Advanced knowledge of filtration and carbonation processes

- Advanced knowledge of beverage packaging systems

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

Skills

- Expert troubleshooting abilities for cold-side equipment and processes

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

- Excellent sensory evaluation skills for detecting off-flavors and assessing product quality

- 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 cold, wet environment and climbing tanks

- Strong leadership and team management skills

- Excellent communication skills for coordinating with other departments

- Adaptability to work with different beverage styles and fermentation 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