Job Abstract

The Quality Assurance Manager ensures Hardywood Park Craft Brewery maintains the highest

level of quality through the creation and application of quality management systems for

brewing, cellaring, and packaging. Additionally, this position will liaise with various departments

throughout the brewery to ensure quality standards are maintained at every level, in every

department. In order to help ensure all aspects of this position are performed as expected,

measurable metrics will be provided along with regularly scheduled performance reviews. This

full-time position reports to the President.

• Ensure that the brewery complies with regulatory standards including, but not limited to: Department of Agriculture, Food & Drug Administration, current good manufacturing practices.
• Lead complete analysis activities including, but not limited to, testing of raw materials and other ingredients as well as performing analysis on produced wort, fermenting, brite, and packaged beer.
• Enforce quality standards in the brewery from the receipt of raw material through the packaging of the final product.
• Manage yeast for all brewing needs, including cell count and viability analysis, propagation, storage, and maintaining alignment between brewing schedule and yeast supply/availability.
• Ensure brewery sanitation standards are maintained and regular cleaning schedules are followed and recorded.
• Analyze all batches of beer, cider and other beverages for microbiological contamination (enriched sample PCR and plating) and advise production team on disposition of contaminated product.
• Analyze all barrel aged beer for microbiological contamination prior to scheduled brand production. Support the operation of the pasteurizer system to ensure the highest quality of the barrel program.
• Work closely with the Brewing Manager to ensure the production and cellaring schedule is aligned with quality standards.
• Maintain positive relationships with yeast labs, ingredient suppliers, material suppliers, equipment providers, microbiological labs, and other outside partners that have an impact on product quality. Work with these suppliers to optimize incoming quality.
• Suggest and implement process upgrades to continuously improve our products.
• Perform effective root cause analysis as quality issues arise. Record and present to the Production team and leadership, highlighting any changes in quality.
• Field and respond to all consumer quality complaints (from distributed beer and taprooms), record in quality complaints database, and share findings with relevant parties and departments.
• Maintain traceability system for tracking QA hold product, dumped product, and recalls.
• Maintain assigned tools and lab equipment utilizing routine maintenance, logs, and scheduling repairs.
• Track compliance and any issues of non-compliance using both internal and external auditing programs.
• Maintain and update as needed a Quality Management Program through best practices, product specifications, and SOPs around quality assurance for brewing and packaging.
• Organize, execute, and analyze results of sensory analysis panels, including “True to Brand” testing, shelf life studies, descriptive analysis, and attribute analysis.
• Work closely with the Taproom Director to help maintain a fully trained staff to ensure the highest quality product is being served to our customers.
• Manage Quality Assurance Lab personnel to ensure workflow priorities match overall brewery needs.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science or a related field required.
• Three years’ experience in controlling brewing process and assessing beer quality or in similar quality roles in the food and beverage or another regulated industry preferred.
• Data-driven decision-making skills.
• Knowledge of food production and manufacturing principles.
• Exceptional time management skills.
• Very strong interpersonal skills, including written and oral communication to a variety of audiences.
• Exceptional multitasking and prioritizing skills.
• Strong attention to detail and record-keeping skills.
• Independent/self-motivated.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, working overtime as needed as well as helping out in other departments when needed.
• Experience managing people is preferred.

Physical Demands

• This position at times can be physical and demanding in nature and involves working with potentially dangerous equipment, machinery, exposure to high noise levels, and handling of hazardous materials
• May stand and/or traverse warehouse for long periods of time
• Frequently climbs ladders
• Ability to squat/lie down in cramped spaces
• Frequently bends, moves, transports, or lifts 55 pounds repeatedly
• Uses repetitive motions
• Can work in both hot and cold temperatures

Benefits

• Health Insurance including medical, dental and vision coverage
• Retirement Plan: 401K program
• Accrued paid time off and holidays
• Discounted taproom merchandise and beer
• Work-life balance

Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.