Brewery Operative

Charleswells; Bedford; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

£27,000 salary

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Private medical health care

Group personal pension plan

Life assurance

30% off dining and retail discounts

Career progression

Job summary

Wells & Co, located on the outskirts of Bedford, is seeking a Brewery Operative to join our small team and support production and quality standards. The role reports to the Brewery Team Lead and involves operating machinery across the brewery, following SOPs, and maintaining HACCP compliance.

You will contribute to daily production plans, participate in meetings, and help develop commercially viable beers with the Head Brewer while maintaining a customer-conscious approach.

Qualifications

• 1+ years proven experience within a brewery or manufacturing setting.
• Strong understanding of safety protocols, quality control, and production processes.
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Problem-solving attitude.
• Knowledge of 5S principles and Standard Work procedures.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe environment for all team members and customers.
• Operate machinery in Packaging, Processing, Brewhouse, or Cellars.
• Follow recipes, specifications and SOPs with accuracy; maintain records and quality paperwork.
• Conduct daily/weekly production activities per production and loading plan.
• Be involved in daily production meetings and work with Head Brewer on beer development.

Skills

Safety protocols

Quality control

Production processes

Communication

Problem solving

5S & Standard Work

Education

FLT Certificate

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

WMS systems

Job description

At Wells & Co, we are passionate about creating unique, high-quality craft beers that inspire and bring people together. Located on the outskirts of Bedford, our brewery has become a cornerstone of the local craft beer scene since opening in 2021. Brewpoint, encompassing bar and restaurant, has quickly established itself as a destination venue for visitors enjoying a unique experience. We believe in innovation and sustainability, and are now looking for a Brewery Operative to join our small team and help us continue to push the boundaries of brewing excellence.

Position

Reporting to the Brewery Team Lead, you will be responsible for maintaining a safe and efficient working environment, overseeing day-to-day activities to achieve production goals. Brewery Operatives play a crucial role in maintaining safety protocols, operating machinery across the brewery, effective quality control and fostering a culture of solving problems, continuous improvement, and customer consciousness.

• Maintain a safe environment for all team members and customers.
• Understand & comply with production risk assessments.
• Achieve all production Key Performance Indicators
• Work on shift rotations to meet production demands.
• Conduct daily and weekly production activities based on production and loading plan.
• React accordingly to changes in production plans, breakdowns, or delays in fermentation, follow production escalation plan as required.
• Safely operate machinery in designation work areas – Packaging, Processing, Brewhouse, or Cellars.
• Follow recipes, specifications and SOPs with accuracy maintaining records and quality paperwork.
• Conduct standard administration tasks in excel and NAV as required to ensure systems accuracy and compliance.
• May be required to cover sickness or holiday in Warehouse team.
• Be an active participant in daily production meetings.
• Work in conjunction with Brewery Team Lead and Head Brewer to develop commercially viable beers.
• Ensure understanding and adherence to Brewery HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points).
• Implement and monitor QC/QA processes to maintain high-quality standards throughout the brewery.
• Conduct weekly inventory/stock counts and rectify discrepancies in NAV.
• Conduct goods in/out procedures when receiving deliveries.
• Maintain shop-floor cleanliness and tidiness in line with 5S and Standard Works.
• Have a customer-conscious mentality within all operations.
• Prioritise areas closest to the customer, including Sales, Supply, Pack, Processing, and Tours.
• Support the Brewery Engineer with breakdowns and Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPMs) and Warehouse Operatives when required.

Requirements

What we are looking for:

• 1+ years proven experience within a brewery or manufacturing setting.
• Strong understanding of safety protocols, quality control, and production processes.
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Problem-solving attitude.
• Knowledge of 5S principles and Standard Work procedures.
• Holder of an FLT Certificate.
• Strong commuter literacy within Microsoft suite, ERP and WMS.
• The ability to work effectively under limited supervision.

Other information

What’s in it for you?

• c£27,000
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Private medical health care
• Group personal pension plan
• Life assurance
• 30% off dining and retail discounts
• Career progression

Not only do we have a passion for our beer, but also for our people. At Wells, you will not be a small cog in a big wheel, but a valued part of the team where you will make a difference every day.