Lead Brewer
About Tap Social
Tap Social Movement has an exciting opportunity for a full time Lead Brewer to join our growing team in Oxford. Established in 2016, we are one of the few Social Enterprise breweries in the UK, working to create training and employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups, in particular those who’ve had contact with prison and the criminal justice system.
The Role Overview
The Lead Brewer is responsible for all aspects of the beer production process and day-to-day operations of the brewery. It is a high-level role which can involve many different tasks including managing other brewers, making purchasing decisions, meeting with customers and other businesses, creating new types of beer, setting production goals and managing resources.
The Lead Brewer is highly experienced with the beer brewing process and is ultimately responsible for the quality of beers that the brewery produces. They are usually involved with creative decisions including what kinds of beer to produce, where to source the best raw materials for that particular beer and what kinds of machinery should be used in the production process.
They must also consider the marketability of the beers they intend to produce and work in conjunction with the Marketing team and the brewery Operations Manager to develop successful beers.
Main duties include:
- Checking brew conditions – Ensure that the production process is running correctly and brew conditions are correct. Manage the brew team, directing their attention as needed and ensuring the beer is meeting specific targets.
- Record keeping and quality control – Detailed records of the beer production process must be maintained. That will include the quantities of raw materials used, the recipe for the beer, scientific analysis of the brew at different points and final taste testing.
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the brewery – Ensure that staff are working efficiently and the production process is running smoothly.
- Selecting raw materials – Evaluate the quality of the raw materials used in the brewing process and work with suppliers. Perform or organise scientific tests on the raw materials, if required, to ensure they have specific qualities necessary for beer making.
- Help to build the customer base – The Lead Brewer may meet with customers and potential customers to showcase the quality of the beer that the brewery is producing. They may have to give customers guided tours of the brewery to demonstrate production capacity and build brand affinity.
- Meeting with trade associations – They may have to attend trade association meetings, award presentations and conventions to showcase the brewery’s products.
- Develop new brewing recipes to meet market demand – Work with marketing staff to identify market demand for specific types of beer and develop new products to meet that demand.
- Responsibility for maintaining Occupational Health & Safety and compliance with food standards – Work in conjunction with a health and safety specialist to maintain food safety standards and keep the beer production and canning processes as safe as possible.
- Managing key production requirements and setting KPIs – The brewery will have to produce a specific quality of beer over a certain time period. The Lead Brewer manages the timelines involved, sets production goals and identifies key performance indicators.
- Manage maintenance schedule on the production line – All equipment must be carefully maintained to ensure equipment failure does not delay beer production. The Lead Brewer will also advise the Ops Manager on the purchase of new equipment.
- Managing staff skill development – In addition to managing staff, the Lead Brewer will help organise training to develop their skills.
- Manage packaging processes – The Lead Brewer will oversee the canning and kegging facilities and work with the sales team to meet required delivery schedules.
- Inventory control – Having adequate raw materials, cans and packaging materials on site to meet forecasted demand.
Required Experience:
- At least 3-5 years experience in brewing beer
- Demonstrated ability to manage a beer production line
- Experience in a role that involved managing staff
- Experience keeping records for quality control
- Capable of innovation and continual improvement
- Computer literacy and technological skills
Desired Skills/Experience:
- Educated at degree level in brewing & distilling or chemistry, or microbiology.
- Experience of Breww or a similar Inventory management system
- Fantastic communication skills
- Excellent project management skills and methodical nature
What we offer:
We aim to build a fun, creative and value-driven team working to achieve excellence, be it in the brewery, the bakery or kitchen. In return for your dedication and skill you will get the following benefits:
- company events
- company pension
- on-site parking
- 25% discount across all of our venues and on our products
- an extra day of holiday for every year worked with us and carry-forward 5 days of holiday annually
- a Top Tapper monthly reward competition
- chance to join a growing social enterprise with lots of continued opportunity
If you are interested in this position please email your CV with a covering letter explaining why you would like to become part of our team – to will@tapsocialmovement.com.
Job Type: Full time, 40 hours per week
