Head Brewer
Job Description – Head Brewer
Summary
Job title – Head Brewer
Department – Brewing
Location – Based out of HQ in Cheltenham
Salary and other compensation – £45,000 plus DOE
Hours – Full Time
Contract type – Permanent
Reporting to – CEO & COO
The Role
The Head Brewer is responsible for ensuring DEYA is making world class beer. They will lead the brewing team and work alongside other managerial roles to orchestrate all facets of beer production and daily operations of the brewery.
Responsibilities
Oversee and take ultimate responsibility for beer quality at DEYA, this includes clean beer production, mixed fermentation and barrel aged beers. Evaluate, develop and innovate existing beer recipes and new recipes / concepts, alongside the Brewing Leadership Execute beer strategy set out by CEO/COO. Actively engage and motivate the brewing team to promote a continuous improvement and quality first ethos. Manage the in-house sensory program to continually monitor and assess the quality of all products, providing critical feedback, alongside the Brewing Leadership. Select and evaluate raw materials to ensure optimal quality. Manage raw material procurement, including building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers to ensure consistent quality and timely delivery. Establish and optimise precise brewing conditions, including setting up repeatable production processes (Standard Operating Procedures – SOPs), and ensuring these processes are rigorously followed by the brew team to guarantee consistent product quality and efficiency. Manage the day-to-day operations of the brewing team. Maintain detailed production records and implement robust quality control measures. Ensure adherence to occupational health and safety standards, personally setting an example for the brew team. Ensure the optimal utilisation and efficiency of all brewing equipment. Maintain a clear understanding of DEYAs brand position and key customer base. Maintain strong industry relationships through collaboration and networking.
Selection criteria
We recognise the value in having people with a variety of backgrounds, experience and skills in our business. That means the role requirements here should be seen as a guide, not a checklist. If you have more, less or different experiences, but really relevant skills, we’d love to hear from you.
Essential selection criteria
Extensive leadership experience in head brewer or lead brewer roles, typically 3-5 years. Proven experience in effectively leading and motivating staff. Experience in supplier relationship management. Experience in sensory analysis and quality assessment within a brewery setting. Demonstrated commitment to and experience in promoting a strong health and safety culture. Proficiency in brewing equipment operation, maintenance, and optimisation.
Necessary Skills
Exceptional Leadership and Motivational Skills: Crucial for inspiring the team, fostering a positive and productive work environment, and driving a culture of excellence. Fantastic Communication: Essential for effective team leadership, smooth inter-department communications (especially with the Production Manager, sales, and marketing), building strong supplier relationships, clearly articulating production processes, providing sensory feedback, fostering a quality-focused team culture, communicating health and safety protocols, and training and developing the team. Computer Literacy and experience in working with Breww brewery management software. Engineering or Mechanical Skills: Crucial for understanding, utilising, optimising, and maintaining brewing equipment.
Pre-employment screening
Standard checks
If you are offered the post, the offer will be subject to standard pre-employment checks. You will be asked to provide: proof of your right-to-work in the UK; proof of your identity; and (if we haven’t done so already) we will contact the referees you have nominated. You will also be asked to complete a health declaration so that you can tell us about any health conditions or disabilities for which you may need us to make appropriate adjustments.
Hazard-specific / Safety-critical duties
This job includes hazards or safety-critical activities. If you are offered the post, you will be asked to complete a health questionnaire which will be assessed by our Occupational Health Service Provider, and the offer of employment will be subject to a successful outcome of this assessment.
The hazards or safety-critical duties involved are as follows:
Working at heights
Working in hot or cold environments
Regular manual handling
Work with cereals containing gluten
Work with chemicals
About DEYA Brewing Company
DEYA Brewing Company is a small brewery based in Cheltenham, UK, specialising in fresh, hoppy beer and employs 50 people. We are committed to brewing excellent beer and being an excellent company to work for. DEYA Culture is founded on three principles: Hard Work, Teamwork and Continual Improvement. In return, DEYA will offer proper and competitive salaries while being respectful and compassionate to all employees. As an employer, DEYA is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce and has taken steps internally to ensure this. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this role. Our Employee Handbook sets out to all employees what is expected from both the employer and employee.
How to apply
Please send CV and cover letter to john@deyabrewing.com
Your application will be judged solely on the basis of how you demonstrate that you meet the selection criteria stated in the job description. As part of your application you will be asked to provide details of two referees and indicate whether we can contact them now. You will be asked to upload a CV and a cover letter. The cover letter must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. This may include experience gained in employment, education, or during career breaks (such as time out to care for dependants). Please send all documents as PDF files with your name and the document type in the filename.
If you need help
Non-technical questions about this job should be addressed to jobs@deyabrewing.com
Important information for candidates
Data Privacy Please note that any personal data submitted to the Company as part of the job application process will be processed in accordance with the GDPR and related UK data protection legislation. For further information, please contact jobs@deyabrewing.com for a copy of DEYA Brewing Company’s Privacy Notice for Job Applicants.
Equality of opportunity Entry into employment with the Company and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. No applicant or member of staff shall be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Benefits of working at DEYA Brewing Company
Employee benefits DEYA employees enjoy 30 days’ paid holiday, a pension scheme, Health Cash Plan, access to mental health support and a variety of professional development opportunities. Our range of other employee benefits and discounts also includes a £125 tab per month in our Main Taproom and 10% off any additional DEYA Products.
