Production Manager - 49th State Brewing - Anchorage, AK

[skschell]

Production Manager

The Production Manager (PM) is a leadership position to oversee all of 49th State Brewing's beer production, reporting to the CEO and Head Brewer and Director of Brewing Operations. The PM will ensure that production, process, and quality goals are achieved as we work towards our business goals. This position will oversee, compliance, packaging, logistics, procurement, maintenance, and production planning. Ensuring a safe workplace, meeting production requirements, promoting quality improvement targets, operating sustainably, and having a mindset of achieving excellence will be of paramount importance.
Responsibilities include by not limited to:

• Lead a production staff capable of meeting/exceeding the goals of the brewery.
• Ensure that all production activities are conducted in alignment with company safety, quality and sustainability initiatives.
• Provide relevant training, coaching, and mentoring to team members.
• Work closely with the Head Brewer to generate daily production schedules and ensure that they are met.
• Interact routinely with the management team to ensure production schedules meet customers’ needs while balancing the age of full goods inventory and minimizing stockout situations.
• Work with the production team to maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all aspects of production: brewing, cellaring, wood-aging, packaging, maintenance, and QA/QC.
• Develop performance and productivity metrics for all production areas and hold team members accountable for achieving these goals.
• Own production sustainability goals and seek out innovative solutions to not only ensure achievement but continually enhance brewery performance.
• Oversee sanitation and upkeep of all production facilities including the main brewery, fermentation cellar, and packaging areas. Look to incorporate elements of lean manufacturing principles as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers at all levels to meet company goals.
• Develop and maintain a preventative maintenance program for all equipment to maximize overall production efficiency.
• Be the point of contact between senior management and the production, quality and maintenance teams.
• Filing compliance documents including state and federal taxes

Procurement

• Identify and develop partnerships with key raw and packaging material suppliers
• Negotiate supply agreements for key material categories
• Develop and execute sourcing processes to ensure price competitiveness and low impact on COGS

Production & Material Planning

• Coordinate volume forecasts with sales department and brewpub operations
• Work with Head Brewer and Director of Operations to develop brewery production schedules to deliver forecasted volume by set delivery dates
• Develop, implement, and manage Distributor Portals in Brewery Management Software
• Implement and execute MRP processes to ensure material availability while minimizing working capital
• Monitor and improve costs of using rental kegs vs. in house kegs and develop strategies to minimize rental fees

Inventory Control

• Develop and implement inventory control procedures to maximize inventory accuracy and keep monthly variances at a minimum
• Ensure minimal out of code beer in warehouses
• Manage restaurant beer availability through skillful use of weekly volume analysis and 8-week projections
• Develop and monitor inventory levels against targeted stock levels
• Coordinate cycle and end of month inventory counting and reconciliation processes

Master Data Management

• Create and maintain item master data in Brewery Management Software
• Create and maintain all production bills of material in Brewery Management Software
• Work with Accounting department to develop standard costs and assist with financial analysis of the restaurant and brewing operations
• Create and maintain file management structure and organization
• Work with IT providers to transition brewery to new platforms, including Microsoft Office, Teams, One Drive and the new Brewery Management Software

Transportation

• Coordinate all distributor shipments with brewery operations and third-party freight providers as necessary
• Coordinate interplant shipments between brewery operations and third-part freight providers
• Optimize brewery sourcing model to minimize overall network cost
• Identify and implement carrier requirements and sourcing strategy to reduce overall freight costs

Contract Brewing

• Manage our contract brewing customers and integrate their forecast needs into the overall production plans
• Arrange the shipping schedules for beer to our contract customers
• Procure packaging materials for contract customers
• Conduct weekly meetings with contract customers to review forecasts
• Ensure prompt payment for beer that has been shipped.
• Develop and maintain cost analysis sheet for each brand asked for by contract brewers or potential contract brewers

Personal Characteristics

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a team
• Strong work ethic and ability to multi-task, prioritize and adapt to changing situations
• Detail oriented
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to give and take direction
• Driven to go above and beyond
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Passion for sustainability

Salary - $50-55k annually with partial relocation assistance available