Package Lead / Assistant Brewer

Job Description

The Assistant Brewer / Packaging Lead is a hands-on production leader responsible for assisting in brewing and cellaring, quality assurance, packaging operations, equipment care, and production support throughout the brewery.

Working closely with the Head Brewer and Brewery Manager, this position leads daily packaging operations while assisting with all aspects of brewing and cellar work. Responsibilities include helping supervise packaging staff, running and maintaining packaging equipment, helping maintain production schedules, ensuring product quality, managing inventories and production documentation, maintaining sanitation standards, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across brewery operations.

The ideal candidate is a self-motivated brewer with strong technical knowledge, leadership ability, mechanical aptitude, and a commitment to producing exceptional beer safely and consistently.

The Assistant Brewer / Packaging Lead is accountable for delivering continuously improving results in:

Beer Quality

Packaging Quality

Production Efficiency

Safety

Equipment Reliability

Team Leadership

Inventory Accuracy

Operational Excellence

Core Responsibilities

Packaging Leadership

Lead all daily packaging operations including:

Bottling

Canning

Kegging

Labeling

Tray packing

Palletizing

Finished goods preparation

Shipping preparation

Stocking

Coordinate staffing, workflow, equipment setup, and production priorities to meet production schedules.

Serve as shift leader for packaging operations while maintaining productivity, quality, and safety expectations.

Train, mentor, and coach packaging employees on:

Equipment operation

SOPs

Cleaning and sanitation

Safety procedures

Quality standards

Production efficiency

Operate and oversee the:

6-head Meheen bottling line

12-head Palmer canning line

Keg washer/filler

Labeling equipment

Date coding systems

Packaging conveyors

Perform equipment setup, changeovers, preventative maintenance, lubrication, calibration, and basic troubleshooting to minimize downtime.

Conduct in-process quality checks including:

Fill levels

Dissolved oxygen (DO) monitoring

Carbonation verification

Seam inspection

Crown integrity

Label accuracy

Date coding

Package appearance

Maintain accurate packaging documentation including production reports, inventory transactions, quality records, and finished goods reconciliation.

Manage inventories of packaging materials including:

Cans

Bottles

Kegs

Labels

Trays

Pallets

Closures

Packaging supplies

Collaborate with brewing, warehouse, maintenance, sales, and restaurant teams to ensure smooth production flow.

Identify opportunities to reduce product loss, improve yields, increase packaging efficiency, and reduce downtime.

Brewing & Cellar Operations

Produce beer according to KRBC recipes, brewing standards, and quality expectations on both the 20 BBL and 7 BBL brewing systems.

Perform all aspects of the brewing process including:

Milling

Mashing

Lautering

Boiling

Whirlpool operations

Wort cooling and oxygenation

Fermentation

Dry hopping

Conditioning

Carbonation

Beer transfers

Filtration (when applicable)

Packaging preparation

Monitor fermentation performance through routine gravity readings, temperature monitoring, sensory evaluation, and laboratory testing.

Assist with yeast management including harvesting, storage, propagation, pitching calculations, viability assessment, and quality control.

Maintain complete and accurate production records including:

Brew sheets

Cellar logs

Fermentation records

Tank inventories

Ingredient usage

Lot traceability documentation

Packaging reports

Evaluate incoming raw materials and finished beer to ensure adherence to company quality standards.

Conduct routine sensory evaluations and assist with laboratory quality assurance testing.

Perform CIP (Clean-In-Place) and COP (Clean-Out-of-Place) procedures while maintaining strict sanitation standards throughout production.

Operate and monitor the brewery’s MBBR wastewater treatment system while assisting with spent grain, yeast, trub, and wastewater disposal.

Follow brewery SOPs, GMPs, food safety practices, and quality systems while identifying opportunities to improve consistency and efficiency.

Equipment, Maintenance & Facility Support

Maintain organization and cleanliness throughout:

Brewhouse

Cellar

Packaging area

Warehouse

Cold storage

Loading dock

Ingredient storage

Finished goods storage

Perform preventative maintenance and minor repairs on brewery equipment including pumps, valves, hoses, heat exchangers, packaging machinery, compressors, glycol systems, and related production equipment.

Troubleshoot operational issues and promptly communicate equipment concerns to brewery leadership.

Safely handle brewery chemicals according to OSHA requirements, manufacturer specifications, and brewery SOPs.

Assist with calibration of production and quality control equipment.

Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, company vehicles, and other material handling equipment as authorized.

Assist with receiving raw materials, inventory movement, warehouse organization, and shipping activities as needed.

Safety, Compliance & Production Excellence

Maintain a strong “Safety First” culture throughout brewery operations.

Follow all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, brewery SOPs, GMPs, and food safety standards.

Complete Brewers Association Safety Training within 60 days of hire.

Wear required PPE and ensure safe chemical handling practices are consistently followed.

Report hazards, equipment issues, injuries, near misses, concerns and unsafe conditions immediately.

Maintain compliance with brewery quality systems, sanitation requirements, production documentation, and traceability procedures.

Participate in continuous improvement initiatives designed to improve quality, safety, efficiency, and operational performance.

Support inventory control through accurate ingredient usage, finished goods reporting, cycle counts, and inventory reconciliation.

Assist with annual physical inventories and production audits.

KRBC Ambassador

Serve as an everyday ambassador of KRBC’s employee-ownership culture.

Represent the company professionally both on and off duty.

Participate in beer festivals, charitable events, tap takeovers, brewery tours, and promotional events when requested.

Promote teamwork, accountability, and collaboration across all departments.

Support company initiatives that strengthen culture, quality, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

Experience

Minimum 2–5 years of brewery production, brewing, packaging, or food and beverage manufacturing experience required.

Previous leadership, supervisory, or lead production experience preferred.

Experience operating commercial brewing systems and automated packaging equipment preferred.

Experience with quality assurance, sanitation, and brewery laboratory practices preferred.

Technical Expertise

Strong understanding of brewing science, fermentation, cellar operations, and packaging systems.

Knowledge of brewery sanitation, CIP systems, food safety practices, and quality assurance.

Mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot brewery and packaging equipment.

Knowledge of yeast management and fermentation monitoring.

Ability to safely operate forklifts, pallet jacks, brewery vehicles, and production equipment.

Forklift certification required or ability to obtain upon hire.

Basic proficiency with Google Docs, Sheets, Drive, Calendar, and production reporting software within 30 days of hire.

Must be approved by the company’s insurance carrier to operate company vehicles.

Leadership & Professional Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Strong leadership and employee coaching abilities.

Excellent organizational and time management skills.

Ability to prioritize multiple production demands in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.

Self-motivated, dependable, adaptable, and safety-focused.

Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with brewery leadership and production teams.

Demonstrated alignment with KRBC’s values, ethics, and employee-ownership culture.

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, and climb for 8–10 hours per day.

Frequent lifting and carrying of up to 55 lbs.

Ability to safely climb ladders and work at elevated heights.

Ability to work in confined spaces and awkward positions.

Ability to work in wet, hot, cold, and high-noise environments.

Ability to safely handle hazardous chemicals and cleaning agents.

Must be able to wear required PPE including respirators, gloves, boots, safety glasses, hearing protection, and other protective equipment.

Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

Time is spent in both indoor and outdoor environments with frequent exposure to:

High noise levels

Pressurized vessels and transfer lines

Carbon dioxide

Hot and cold liquids

Cleaning and sanitation chemicals

Moving mechanical equipment

Wet and slippery floors

Broken glass

Steam and airborne particles

Variable indoor and outdoor temperatures

Schedule

Full-time position.

Typical schedule is Sunday through Thursday or Monday through Friday, averaging approximately 40–50 hours per week. Schedules may vary based on brewing schedules, packaging demands, production priorities, seasonal workloads, and operational needs.

Occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended workweeks may be required.

Compensation & Benefits

Hourly Rate: Starting between $22-$25.00 per hour depending on experience.

Exceptional candidates with extensive brewing experience, packaging leadership, specialized technical expertise, or advanced brewing education may be considered for higher compensation.

100% Employee-Owned (ESOP) Company: Eligible employees participate in KRBC’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan, providing a direct stake in the company’s long-term success.

401(k) participation upon eligibility.

Discounted Health Insurance coverage (30+ hours/week required). KRBC covers 65% of the premium.

Discounted Dental, Vision and Life Insurance (30+ hours/week required).

Life insurance – employer-paid base plan.

Accrued PTO: 2 weeks annual accrual after a 30-day probationary period.

Food & beer shift allowance: $9 KRBC card for every 6+ hour shift worked.

Employee discounts:

50% off one shift meal (6+ hour shift worked as a manager)

25% off food and drinks as a customer

25% off retail items

40% off KRBC shirts and hats worn on shift

Benefits may change based on company performance and plan availability.

Kern River Brewing Company is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Employment with KRBC is at-will and in accordance with California employment law.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check consistent with California law.