Head Brewer (Johnson City, TN)

Yee-Haw Brewing Company is hiring a Head Brewer to join our growing company. As a key leader within our brewing team, the Head Brewer reports to the Director of Operations and directly oversees the planning and execution of all brewery activities at our main production location in Johnson City, TN. The Head Brewer assumes a critical role in crafting and brewing high-quality products that support our expanding marketplace distribution and taprooms.

Johnson City is Yee-Haw’s original location, produces the majority of Yee-Haw’s barrelage, and consists of a 30-bbl brew house, 60-bbl fermentation tanks, and a 12/16 oz canning line and kegging line. The Head Brewer must have commercial brewing experience, be passionate about making great beer and excited to lead and develop a high-performing team. This position is responsible for executing deliverables as they relate to products, people, and profits. The ideal candidate will be an integral part of our broader team of craft brewers (at our taproom locations) and benefit from, and contribute to, internal collaboration and innovation.

Founded in 2015, Yee-Haw Brewing Company began brewing craft beer in a historic railroad depot built in the late 1800’s in Johnson City, Tennessee. Yee-Haw Brewing Company quickly grew from a startup to one of the Southeast’s fastest growing craft breweries. Known for our variety of good beers, our reputation for high quality ales and lagers is built on our commitment to using only the finest ingredients. Our taprooms provide a welcoming gathering place in our communities. We take pride in providing great beer, a great atmosphere, good times, good jobs, and good partnerships at each location.

Key Responsibilities

Production

• Planning and execution of production processes from grain to packaging
• All areas of brewing, cellaring, tank cleaning, filtering, and yeast management.
• Milling, mashing, lautering, wort boiling and transferring to fermenter.
• Transferring beer to serving vessels including but not limited to brite tanks, kegs and cans
• Monitor progress of beer through production cycle via brewey information system and adjust the process as needed to ensure beer is produced consistently, defect-free and is true to the style and quality standards.
• Troubleshoot production, equipment, and quality issues.
• Develop and implement best practices and standard procedures to ensure quality and consistency.
• Maintain safety and health standards as well as OSHA compliant safety program.
• Use brewery management software (EKOS) and keep detailed and accurate production records.

 Brewey Planning

• Write and execute brewey production schedule to meet demand.
• Purchase ingredients and supplies for the brewery.
• Oversee inventory and quality management of raw materials and finished goods.
• Oversee order fulfillment, distributor pickups, brewey-to-brewey transfers.
• Maintain brewery’s facility and equipment. Proactively manage maintance schedule.

 People & Business Management

• Work closely with Director of Operations to manage and control Brewery P&L and budget.
• Lead brewey team including hiring, training, and scheduling.
• Effectively delegate to team ensure work is completed efficiently and effectively. 
• Expand training program to develop employees across all areas of brewey operations.
• Support Controller on information and reports needed for TTB and state tax reporting.
• Stay current with beer trends, styles, and production methods. Propose new recipes.
• Educate and excite employees, customers, and consumers about our beer and the brewing process.

Our Ideal Candidate:

• Loves craft beer, the craft beer community and wants to be part of building a great brand and company.
• Proven leader and team player with the ability to communicate on multiple levels.
• Detail-oriented, student of the industry and willing to explore beyond beer.
• Relentless focus on quality and consistency with a continuous improvement mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in brewing science or technology is preferred
• 5+ years commercial brewing experience
• Demonstrated experience across all aspects of the brewing process including chemistry and biology, yeast management and propagation, packaging (canning & kegging), and quality control.
• Love, appreciation, and knowledge of beer with the ability to craft recipes across a wide range of beers.
• Strong knowledge of workplace safety procedures and understanding of brewery hazards.
• Excellent ability to lead, supervise and motivate brewery staff.

 Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to lift 60 pounds and move 170 pounds safely.
• Ability to work in wet environment with humidity, steam, and heat.
• Ability to bend, twist, kneel, and climb steps often.
• Ability to stand, stoop, bend and work overhead over the course of several hours.
• Endurance to work long shifts when needed including various shifts as needed.
• Willingness to work with hazardous chemicals necessary for brewery sanitation.

 Job Descriptions are intended to present an illustrative description of the range of duties, the scope of responsibility and the required level of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to describe the primary functions of the job; they are not intended to reflect all duties.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $65,000-75,000 per year with Annual bonus potential

Physical setting: Manufacturing

Schedule: Monday to Friday, ability to work across shifts as needed

Ability to commute/relocate: Johnson City, TN 37604: (Required)

Benefits:

• Annual Bonus potential
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Taproom discounts