Head Brewer

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Are you a skilled brewer with a passion for exceptional craft beer? Are you excited by the prospect of launching a new beer brand within an established and growing spirits and hospitality organization? Do you have a strong work ethic and a desire to face challenges head on? Please continue!

Journeyman Distillery is expanding to our second location in the fall of 2023 and, along with another high-quality distillery, this time we're adding a brewery as well. Our expectations for the beer we produce will be just as high as for our award-winning spirits (pssst...we won Whiskey of the Year at the 2022 Ascot Awards).

A few things we think our FIRST Head Brewer ought to know:

• We will be brewing beer for in-house consumption only - NO intent to distribute.
• Journeyman has a single owner with a clear vision.
• Our brewing operations will be backed by the successes of our 12-year old, award-winning distillery.
• Our distilled spirits are distributed across the US, Europe, and Australia.
• Our brewing operation will boast a brand new, 10-barrel Sprinkman brew system with automation.
• The brewery is part of an amazing, $40mil redevelopment of a historic factory building which includes a fully-functional, large-scale distillery, 3 restaurant concepts, multiple events spaces, a karaoke bar, and other amenities.
• The brewery is set in the beautiful town of Valparaiso, IN - 30 minutes from the Indiana Dunes National Park
• We have a focus on creating a core product line for the consumer while exploring unique brewing methods from around the world, a barrel-aged brew program, and an NA brew.

The Head Brewer at Journeyman will oversee and ensure the success of our Brewery operations.

At Journeyman Distillery, we believe hard work and dedication deserve to be rewarded. To that end, we provide a comprehensive benefits and incentives package.

Here's a peek at what you will receive as a Journeyman employee:

• Outstanding Growth Opportunity!
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k) with Employer Match available on Day 1
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Supplemental Insurance Options
• Free Monthly Bottle of Spirit (21+)
• Loyalty Incentives (ask about our 5-Year Private Bottle Reward!)
• 25% Employee Discount
• Monthly Employee Tour with Owner/Founder, Bill Welter
• Annual Employee Putting Competition
• 3 Annual Employee Parties

All team members must uphold and embody Journeyman's Core Values which represent the culture, attitude, and immediate priorities ensuring our cohesion and success.

CORE VALUES

GRIT

• Having a positive attitude that no challenge is too great
• Understanding that goals worth pursuing are never easy; that perseverance, grit, and determination are essential to success
• There is no substitute for grit and putting in the time and effort. Good things will come from those efforts
• 10,000-hour rule. Malcom Gladwell: it takes 10,000 hours of intensive practice to be great

ALWAYS A JOURNEYMAN

• Excellence is a lifelong pursuit and mastery is an illusion
• The joy is in the daily work and pursuit of excellence, not in the final destination
• A focus on continual improvement and doing our best

1st CUSTOMER

• Treating every customer with the mindset that they are the business's 1st ever customer
• Treating customers with authenticity, kindness, warmth, care, friendliness; engaging, helpful and willing to offer a magical experience
• Clean facilities
• Being available to the customer and timely responses in any capacity
• This mindset extends to our vendors, suppliers, partners, and especially our fellow employees
• Never take the customer or employee for granted
• 362 and 59:59+ We are open to our customers 362 days a year and we set an unwavering standard of serving our customers up till the last closing second 59:59+ and beyond if needed.

AMBASSADOR

• Taking pride and ownership in your work
• Engagement and active participation in your work and company activities
• Being a positive force in the workplace; creating a culture of positivity
• Extending common courtesy to self, employees, vendors, and guests
• Being an evangelist and promoter of the company and brand

YOUR ATTRIBUTES

• Desire to create some of the best beer in the world
• Driven by excitement and exploration of creating/replicating unique beer styles
• Ability to make a broad repertoire of beer styles from around the world
• Understanding of beer chemistry and biology and the necessary instrumentation needed to monitor the brewing process along with the ability to utilize this knowledge in a practical sense
• Understanding of and ability to implement necessary lab work, sensory program, and quality standards necessary to make great beer
• Ability to identify defects and rectify issues
• Use of proper methods and best practices to ensure beer quality
• Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines
• Strong personnel management and leadership skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Highly detail-oriented with excellent organizational and planning skills
• Thorough understanding of manufacturing COGS/cost accounting and budgeting processes

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

Brewing Production Oversee and execute all brewing operations.

• Direct and manage the team to follow processes and achieve outcomes.
• Work with Director of Brewing & Distilling and CEO to conceptualize and realize a brewing agenda/schedule that meet company objectives.
• Work with the Director of Distilling & Brewing to prepare weekly schedules for brewing, transfer, and staffing to meet production needs.
• Work with Director of Distilling & Brewing to oversee adherence to sales and cost forecasts.
• Order brewing materials, chemicals, and equipment replacement parts.
• Maintain detailed records, inventory, and production reports.

Brewhouse Management Develop and enforce organizational policies & procedures and manage brewing staff.

• Maintain departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure maintenance of brewing equipment.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols.
• Conduct the Journeyman Distillery Employee Experience Ecosystem as per the process with every direct report.
• Coach team members to effectively complete tasks, communicate effectively with other stakeholders and grow their skills.
• Oversee Performance Management of direct reports including terminations ensuring positive and respectful relationships are maintained.
• Undertake effective delegation and conduct informal on-the-job training for members to increase skills.

Quality Assurance Ensure raw materials, in-process beer, and finished beer are collected and analyzed to ensure a quality product.

• Work with Director of Distilling & Brewing to create a standard of excellence.
• Maintain established standards for maintenance, cleaning, and sterilization of equipment.
• Identify instrumentation and equipment needs.
• QC standards are met. QC issues are identified before product reaches customer. Errors are not repeated.
• Implement and oversee lab work and sensory programs.

Requirements

• Five+ years of professional brewing experience.
• Proficiency in brewing and fermentation processes along with bottling and kegging operations is required.
• Bachelor's Degree and/or Certificate from an accredited brewing science school preferred (technical and/or brewing specific courses preferred).
• 2-3 years management or supervisor experience preferred.
• Familiarity with EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) is a plus.