New Orleans, LA
Job Title | Quality Manager |
Location | New Orleans, LA |
Posting | July 2019 |
Salary | Full-time plus benefits |
Reports to | Director of Brewing Operations |
Direct Reports | QC Technician (planned for 2H-2020 hire) |
Primary Duties
- Work with Director of Brewing Operations and brewhouse teams to develop and implement a comprehensive analytical, sensory, and microbiological product testing schedule
- Install and commission analytical equipment as acquired in lab and production environments.
- Create standard operating procedures (SOP’s) for testing methods; Run routine analytical analyses on beer samples including: pH, gravity measurements, alcohol, sodium, and other analytical tests.
- Insure rigorous adherence to all quality standards and specifications
- Build and lead a skilled quality team to compliment and support the growth of the brewery
- Using Statistical Process Control tools analyze data to identify potential “out of control” processes and recommend corrective action
- Work with vendors to ensure that are raw material quality expectations are being met
- Maintain all analytical equipment in a reliable operational state
- In conjunction with other department heads, ensure a safe work environment for all employees; this includes OSHA compliance, conducting safety audits, maintaining up-to-date MSDS sheets, etc.
- Participate in daily sensory evaluations and ensure constant open dialogue with the Brewmaster, VP of operations and department heads
- Recommend annual budget and ensure conformance to target
- Track and report Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and Quality Metrics
- Perform various studies and perform statistical analyses to improve quality throughout the brewery.
- Other routine laboratory testing, as needed and summarized below.
- Lab Operations:
- Perform all aspects of microbiological testing to include HLP, UBA, LCSM, LWY on cellaring and packaged beer.
- Perform all aspects of testing on wort, yeasted wort and fermenting beer to include force tests, Ph, specific gravities, CO2, O2.
- Complete ATP testing on clean tanks.
- Perform all aspects of physical package QC to include examination of incoming packaging materials and seam testing.
- Perform all aspects of CIP and COP materials to include testing of causticity, temperature, Ph and other CIP material concentrations and parameters.
- Perform all aspects of raw material QC to include hops, yeast, malt, water and specialty items.
- Record, organize, track and analyze data from all lab testing.
- Sensory Evaluation
- Set up and lead sensory evaluation panels daily to include duo trio, triangle, two out of five and DFC to ensure beers are brewed to spec, flavor match between breweries and detect off-flavors
- Train all employees on off flavor detection and identify and utilize strengths and weaknesses of individual employees.
- Evaluate raw materials to include rubs, chews and visual inspection.
- Record, organize, track and analyze data from sensory evaluation program
- Maintenance and Upgrades:
- Diagnose lab equipment failures or malfunction and repair when possible.
- Ensure all equipment is calibrated to manufacturer spec and as needed.
- Keep the overall facilities clean and clutter free.
- Continually research procedures new and old, develop budgets, implement and execute to include qPCR, MS, GC.
- Team:
- Weekly summary reporting requested on all findings (failures and non-failures) to Director of Brewing Operations with recommendations for remedies.
- Assist in training brewery personnel on QC procedures and equipment.
- Assist in special project work to include developing new beers for market.
- Work with QA and brewery team to determine root cause and possible solutions for analytical issues.
- Provide leadership, planning and direction to interns and QC team members.
- Must be able to operate a forklift and pallet jack.
- Travel to all locations to develop QC procedures and team.
- Other duties as needed.
Qualifications
- Passionate about craft beer
- Minimum of two years in a brewing QA/QC leadership role
- Proficient in ASBC and EBC analytical methodologies
- Bachelor's degree in a science-intensive discipline (e.g. Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, etc.)
- Strong technical understanding of the brewing process and able to troubleshoot process issues
- Takes pride in their job and exudes a positive “can do” attitude; Excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Goal oriented and able to enroll others in attaining those goals
- Very organized with great attention to detail
- Level-headed, even-tempered, team player who is comfortable with controlled chaos
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (experience with ERP software a plus)
- Strong technical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- Must be flexible to work day or afternoon shifts, available weekends
- Understanding of the brewing and packaging process, HACCP and Good Manufacturing practices for food manufacturing a plus.
Email cover letter and resume to Stephen.borutta@dixiebeer.com