The Fonta Flora Overview

Located on the banks of beautiful Lake James and under the backdrop of the rugged Linville Gorge, we are an Appalachian farmhouse brewery situated on 15 acres of a historic dairy farm. Fonta Flora Brewery integrates the soul of agriculture with the artisanship of zymurgy to create a menagerie of rustic and savory libations. With an emphasis on seasonal flora, Fonta Flora brings English tradition and Belgian inspiration to the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina by utilizing local artists to help conceptualize the notion that fermentation is yet another medium for creating art. This uniquely artisan approach to beer yields a sustainable product filled with culture from our very own community.

We are currently seeking a full-time Cellar Person to support our brewing team in our Nebo, NC production facility.

Job Purpose

The Cellar Person is responsible for assisting in the many tasks required to create Fonta Flora beer and will report to the Production Manager. Candidates must share Fonta Flora’s commitments to quality, safety, business ethics, continuous innovation, local agriculture, and our own unique culture.

The successful candidate for this role will be comfortable with repetitive tasks, physical labor, and standing/moving for extended periods of time. The candidate must be flexible and adaptable to different or alternating tasks during any given shift.

This person will assist and overlap with all production departments, including packaging, brewing and cellar. This position will complete all supplementary tasks needed by the Production Manager to adhere to our brewing schedule.

ERRDAY Job Tasks

- Assist Lead Cellar, Production Manager, and Head of Brewing Operations in all daily scheduled cellar tasks

- Monitor and execute all cellaring duties, including gravity checks, temperature changes, dryhops, etc

- Adhere to tight tank schedule by completing beer transfers and monitoring quality throughout process, including DO and carbonation checks, gravity and pH checks using proper beer equipment

- Assist packaging team on a daily basis as needed. This may include bottling, canning, and/or labeling and waxing of product

- Follow strict SOP’s to clean the brite tanks/fermenters pre and post transfer

- Be responsible for all dryhops, ingredient additions, yeast drops and harvests of all beers.

- completing cellar prep work leading up to scheduled needs, such as prior keg washing

- Ability to supplement brewing team as needed. This may include mashing in, graining out, milling in, hop/ingredient additions, etc.

- Prepare fruit and other ingredients for the brewing process; to include peeling, chopping, seeding, etc.,

- Assemble boxes prior to bottling and canning beverages,

- Palletizing filled kegs, cans and bottles in conjunction with Logistics Manager and/or Packaging Lead, and assisting with warehouse movement and inventory as needed

- Responsible for cleanliness and organization of all cellar areas

- Clean and properly store kegs

- Clean and sanitize keg cleaning lines prior to and post kegging,

- Strict attention to detail of all data collection on paper and digital logs throughout processes

- Assist with communication of inventory to Packaging Lead and Production Manager

- Maintain an orderly and safe work environment within department as well as entire facility,

- Participate in regular departmental meetings to review issues and propose solutions,

- Be a team player with ability to interact with all levels within the organization, 

- Safely handling cleaning chemicals, and using the prescribed amount for each task,

- Understand and comply with all federal, state, and local laws,

- Proudly represent the Fonta Flora brand both on and off site,

- Other tasks as assigned.

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

- Must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application

- Able to pass a post-offer, pre-employment background check 

- 1 year in brewing production setting, preferably in packaging or cellaring department

- Extreme passion for production work and the desire to learn

- Strong work ethic and self-starting attitude

- Good interpersonal skills and team spirit

- The desire to work in a fast-paced, growing company 

- Strong attention to detail and self-accountability when following schedule

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

- Able to stand for prolonged periods of time

- Able to stoop, crawl, twist, turn, lift, kneel, climb ladders and stairs

- Able to manipulate valves and clamps

- Able to read and follow written English instructions

- Able to regularly lift/carry 44 pound boxes

- Able to regularly lift/carry 55 pound bags above waist level

- Able to periodically lift/move 165 pounds

- Able to work in a factory/production environment which may be loud, slick, humid, and hot

- Able to work in indoor and outdoor environment with moderate noise, sometimes slippery floors

- Able to comply with safe chemical handling procedures, including personal protection equipment such as gloves and goggles

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

- None

PERKS:

- Fun and social work environment

- Competitive compensation

- Health benefits reimbursement

- Simple IRA with company matching

- Paid vacation and holidays

- Employee discount programs 

- If you think this job was meant for you and you would love to be a part of our growing yet intimate team, please send your resume and cover letter with a subject of Cellar Person to jeremy@fontaflora.com.

Fonta Flora Brewery does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we recognize our responsibility to embrace and promote diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI”) throughout all aspects of our company culture.