Cellar Technician

Overview:

The Cellar Technician supports the brewing and packaging teams by managing beer processing tasks and ensuring cellar operations align with the production schedule. The role requires flexibility, multitasking, and a focus on safety and quality. A positive attitude and strong communication skills are essential for success in a fast-paced environment. This position may require rotating shifts, including nights and weekends

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Execute cold-side operations: dry hopping, fruit/sugar additions, carbonation, beer/yeast transfers, CIPs, barrel racking, pilot tasks
• Support brewers by pulling, staging, and loading raw materials
• Ensure cellar cleanliness and organization at all times
• Accurately log all production data.
• Coordinate beer availability for packaging and FV readiness for wort/beer.
• Conduct sensory and quality checks on beer in process.
• Follow SOPs and adhere to all safety protocols.
• Report maintenance or safety concerns promptly
• Monitor inventory of chemicals, PPE, and brewery supplies.
• Communicate effectively during shift transitions.

Tiered Responsibilities (Training Levels):

• Tier 1: Basic safety and sanitary practices, cellar cleaning, external CIPs, materials management
• Tier 2: Barrel handling, firkin cleaning, sensory training, pilot tank operation, Braumat CIP
• Tier 3: Internal CIPs, steam sterilization, carbonation, DO measurement, titration, C-Box
• Tier 4: Sugar/fruit additions, hop cannon operation, FV transfers, recipe adherence

Equipment Used:

• Electric & mechanical pallet jacks, forklifts, tote lifts
• Wrenches, screwdrivers, DIN spanners, box cutters
• PPE: safety glasses, gloves, respirators, bump caps, face shields, safety boots

Working Conditions:

• Exposure to hot/cold weather and indoor extremes (e.g., coolers and wort kettle)
• Regularly works in wet, slippery, and loud environments
• Frequently exposed to grain and hop dust, pungent chemicals
• Work at heights on ladders, tanks, and mezzanines
• Proximity to moving machinery, occasional electrical exposure
• Regular contact with caustic cleaning agents and sanitizer.

Required:

• Ability to work flexible shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays
• Strong work ethic with attention to cleanliness, safety, and quality
• Effective communication and the ability to follow detailed instructions
• Capable of lifting 55 lbs and maneuvering equipment and kegs
• Ability to work at heights and in wet, hot, cold, or dusty environments
• Willingness to wear PPE and work around hazardous materials

Preferred:

• 1+ year of brewery or beverage production experience
• Familiarity with CIP processes, carbonation systems, and cellar operations
• Forklift certification or experience operating warehouse equipment
• Experience logging production data and interpreting basic quality metrics
• Understanding of SOPs, CGMPs, and sanitation protocols in food/beverage manufacturing