Head - Brewer

The Head Brewer will oversee all aspects of brewing operations in a contract brewing setup. This includes recipe ideation, team training and management, quality control, process optimization, financial management, and product innovation. The role demands expertise in scaling recipes for commercial production while managing remote teams at host breweries.

The ideal candidate will also focus on building robust systems while fostering innovation aligned with evolving consumer preferences. This is an entrepreneurial leadership role requiring vision and execution capabilities to build processes from scratch while delivering exceptional quality across multiple brewing locations.

Key Ideation & Product Develop creative beer recipes that align with market trends and brand identity.

- Scale recipes for commercial production while maintaining flavor consistency across batches.

- Maintain a pipeline of innovative products ready for launch based on consumer insights and evolving preferences.

- Collaborate with marketing teams to ensure product innovation aligns with branding strategies.

Team Training & Management

- Recruit, train, and mentor shift brewers/junior brewers stationed at contract filler locations.

- Design structured training programs to enhance brewing skills and knowledge across teams.

- Foster skill development through hands-on guidance tailored to brewing operations.

- Conduct quarterly and half-yearly appraisals and performance evaluations for junior brewers.

- Remotely manage brewing staff using clear communication channels and reporting systems.

Process Management

- Define and oversee brewing processes at host brewery locations to ensure consistency in production quality.

- Plan production schedules with host breweries while monitoring execution to meet agreed timelines efficiently.

- Collaborate with host brewery technical teams to troubleshoot production issues effectively.

Quality Assurance

- Establish quality parameters for raw materials (e.g., malt, hops, yeast) and finished products (e.g., ABV levels, IBU).

- Conduct sensory tastings regularly to ensure flavor consistency and identify off-flavors or defects.

- Monitor product quality at all stages of production and packaging.

Financial Management

- Manage budgets related to raw materials procurement, brewing chemicals usage, and production cycles efficiently.

- Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on brewing P&L performance, yield management

metrics, and cost optimization strategies.

- Forecast financial requirements for upcoming production cycles based on market demand.

Host Brewery Coordination

- Liaise regularly with host brewery operations teams to ensure adherence to production schedules and quality standards effectively.

- Monitor execution of agreed operating procedures at host breweries efficiently.

- Build strong relationships with host brewery stakeholders to ensure seamless collaboration.

Safety & Sustainability

- Implement safety protocols across all brewing operations at host brewery locations in compliance with local regulations.

- Monitor sustainability metrics (e.g., energy/water usage) in collaboration with host breweries; drive initiatives for efficiency improvements.

- Promote a culture of safety within the extended team by conducting regular audits.

Industry Representation

- Represent the brand at industry forums, trade events, PR engagements, and trade interactions confidently as a thought leader in brewing innovation.

- Build relationships within the brewing community globally to enhance brand visibility.

Ideal Candidate Masters degree in Science/Microbiology or Food Science preferred; formal brewing certifications such as IBD Diploma are highly Minimum 14-20 years of experience in beverage technology or commercial brewing setup; extensive experience scaling recipes for large-scale production is essential.

- Proven track record of managing remote teams stationed at multiple locations Strong knowledge of brewing processes (mash schedules/fermentation protocols), techniques (sensory evaluation), and equipment used in contract brewing setups.

- Exceptional leadership skills with experience managing distributed teams across multiple locations.

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word/Excel/PowerPoint) alongside ERP systems for operational reporting purposes.

- Strong analytical skills focused on process optimization strategies alongside cost management Requirements

- Willingness to travel frequently across various host brewery locations (ref:iimjobs.com)