Brewery Tech II

BREWERY TECHNICIAN II

POSITION SUMMARY:

A Brewery Technician II at Cerveceria La Tropical is responsible for the operations within the area of Sweet Wort Production, Cellar & Fermentation, Beer Filtration / Centrifuge, Beer Conditioning, Beer Packaging, handling all areas to achieve production targets.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

* Abide by all company safety procedures and participate in safety trainings.

* Follow and develop company SOPs within their area of responsibility.

* Maintain cleanliness and order in the brewhouse, cellars, packing areas and all other areas related to production.

* Rinse, vent, and CIP 7, 10, 20, 60, 80 and 120 HL stainless steel tanks.

* Prepares, stages, and executes daily requirement of dry hopping and other beer treatments.

* Ability to pull tank samples and accurately perform daily density and pH readings as well

as perform cell counts.

* Work with Brewing Supervisors and Brewing Managers on special assignments or projects as needed.

* Responsible for Clean in Place (CIP) area specific lines and tanks: Centrifuge, Filter Press, Fermenters, Propagation Tanks, Brite Beer Tanks, Filtration Lines, Canning Line, Keg Line, yeast harvest line, packaging lines, parts, and all production related areas

* Prepare filtration lines, pumps, and bright beer vessels for filtered product

* Produce sweet wort as needed by the production schedule.

* Responsible for harvesting yeast, propagating yeast and guarantee yeast optimal condition for pitching.

* Responsible for operating centrifuge and filter press, flash pasteurizer, and all aspects of canning.

* Make equipment and product changeovers, using tools as needed.

* Responsible for achieving beer and wort quality parameters and specifications.

* Keep track of stock levels of raw materials and supplies.

* Responsible for assisting in training on maintenance and repairs of all brewery equipment and equipment associated with the production process.

* Keep record of all activities performed and help maintain all production, quality, safety, and maintenance related records.

* Prepares, fill and transfers beer to and from wooden barrels.

* Accurate and legible execution of paperwork and ability to perform limited functions on

desktop PC including work in Microsoft Office applications (Word & Excel) and ERP.

*Supports Sensory Evaluation, participation of the taste test activities.

* Executes analyses in the laboratory, to calibrate in-line meters.

* Executes Analytical and Microbiological analyses, including sampling, sample preparation and reporting results, in line with the valid Laboratory Methods. Executes also complex analysis, which are not covered by in-line meters.

* Participates in simple activities for the local Sensory Panel.

* Monitors process data and verifies the elimination of all quality non-conformances.

* Supports identification, validation, and verification of Q-points.

* Delivers operational and procedural support necessary for the transition from process control to condition management.

DESIRED CAPABILITIES & CHARACTERISTICS:

* Brewing education and formal training are required (IBD, MBA, Siebel, Doemens, ABG, etc.).

* At least 1 years of experience working with a centrifuge and sheet filter is required.

* Clear understanding of the principles of operations of pneumatic, heat exchange and steam systems.

* Willing to work weekends and evenings as needed, acceptance of varying and flexible schedules

* Safety conscious and quality minded.

* Ability to follow all company SOP's and work with little or no supervision.

* Strong working knowledge of CIP cleaning and sanitizing principles, methods, and the 4 x 4 rule

(time/temperature/impingement/chemical strength).

* Must understand clean-out-of-place (COP) principles and grasp environmental hygiene hazards.

* Must be able to work in a fast paced, high pressure stressful environment.

* Possess superior time management and multitasking skills as well as a moderate to strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

* Passion for the craft beer business (strong curiosity of the industry encouraged).

* Strong level of knowledge of craft beer and the brewing process.

* Ability to perform a variety of brewing calculations.

* Working knowledge of pneumatic systems, industrial electricity, mechanical power, steam generation and distribution, industrial refrigeration and sanitary process piping, and systems strongly preferred.

* Organizational skills and forklift/pallet jack proficiency required.

* Ability to stoop, kneel, crawl, climb and work in tight spaces.

* Ability to manipulate tri-clamps, pull and figure eight stack hoses up to 3" diameter and 100 feet long.

* Willingness and ability to work in hot and/or damp spaces for limited amounts of time.

* Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English.

* Ability to maintain focus and not become distracted by crowds or special events.

• Reports directly to the Brewery Supervisor

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

* Ability to lift 55 lbs. repeatedly

* Must be able to pass a respirator fit test

* Ability to stoop, kneel, crawl, climb and work in tight spaces

* Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time (up to 12 hours)

* Willingness to work outside in all weather conditions

* Forklift/pallet jack proficiency required