Manager, Operational Excellence

Boston Beer Corporation; Fogelsville (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 88,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Fertility/adoption support

Free financial coaching

Health & wellness program and bonuses

Professional development & training

Free beer!

Job summary

Boston Beer Company is seeking a Manager, Brewery Operational Excellence for the Samuel Adams Brewery in Breinigsville, PA. You will lead Lean, TPM, and continuous improvement initiatives across the brewery, coaching leaders and teams to eliminate losses, improve equipment reliability, and sustain performance gains.

The role requires experience implementing operating systems such as TPM, IWS, UP, or WCM, and a proven ability to drive change with brewery leadership while aligning manufacturing

Qualifications

• 4 year/Bachelor's degree with concentration in engineering, manufacturing, and/or related field
• 4-6 years of progressive experience in supply chain, manufacturing, or OE direct‑leadership roles.
• Knowledge of Lean principles, TPM concepts, continuous improvement methodologies, structured problem‑solving, and change management.
• Experience implementing TPM (Total Productive Maintenance), Integrated Work Systems (IWS), Unrivaled Performance (UP), World Class Manufacturing (WCM), or similar manufacturing operating systems.
• Experience leading Autonomous Maintenance (AM), Focused Improvement (FI), Planned Maintenance (PM), or other TPM pillar activities.
• Experience utilizing OEE, loss analysis, and reliability metrics to drive operational improvements.
• Experience designing and implementing business processes, implementing Lean methodologies, and leading large‑scale change management efforts in complex manufacturing environments.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to foster a collaborative work environment and promote adoption of standardized processes and systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational excellence initiatives across the brewery using Lean, TPM, and continuous improvement methods.
• Deploy TPM/IWS-based operating systems (Autonomous Maintenance, Focused Improvement, Daily Management).
• Coach and develop leaders, supervisors, maintenance teams, and hourly coworkers on Lean and problem-solving.
• Develop and implement a site lean strategy based on performance losses and business needs.
• Partner with brewery leadership, Finance, and partners to align manufacturing with financial results.
• Improve equipment ownership, reliability, and discipline via standard work and visual management.
• Use KPIs and loss analysis to prioritize improvement opportunities.
• Build tools and procedures to support sustained improvement.
• Analyze performance data to identify cost reduction and productivity opportunities.
• Apply 5S and MES to improve workflow and response.
• Support implementation planning, timelines, and resource needs.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

TPM concepts

Integrated Work Systems (IWS)

Change management

Structured problem-solving

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/manufacturing or related field

Tools

TPM

Integrated Work Systems (IWS)

Unrivaled Performance (UP)

World Class Manufacturing (WCM)

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

Job description

We are currently hiring a Manager, Brewery Operational Excellence at the Samuel Adams Brewery in Breinigsville, PA

This position drives operational excellence (OE) across the brewery through Lean Manufacturing, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and continuous improvement initiatives. The Manager, Brewery Operational Excellence serves as a change leader and coach, partnering with brewery leadership to eliminate losses, improve equipment reliability, develop organizational capability, and create a culture of sustained performance improvement. The ideal candidate brings experience implementing manufacturing operating systems such as TPM, Integrated Work Systems (IWS), Unrivaled Performance (UP), World Class Manufacturing (WCM), or similar operational excellence frameworks.

What You’ll Brew (Responsibilities)

• Lead operational excellence initiatives across the brewery using Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and continuous improvement methodologies to eliminate losses, improve equipment reliability, increase operational effectiveness, and strengthen business performance.
• Lead or support deployment of TPM/IWS-based operating systems, including Autonomous Maintenance, Focused Improvement, Daily Management, and loss elimination practices.
• Coach and develop leaders, supervisors, maintenance teams, hourly coworkers, and cross-functional teams on Lean, TPM, problem‑solving methodologies, loss elimination, and operational excellence behaviors.
• Develop and implement a site lean strategy based on performance losses, business needs, and brewery culture.
• Partner with brewery leadership, Finance, and implementation partners to align manufacturing performance with financial results.
• Partner with production and maintenance teams to improve equipment ownership, reliability, and operational discipline through standard work, visual management, and continuous improvement routines.
• Utilize structured loss analysis and operational performance metrics, including OEE, downtime, quality, and productivity measures, to prioritize improvement opportunities.
• Build and maintain tools, systems, procedures, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that support sustained improvement.
• Analyze brewery performance data to identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve productivity, utilization, quality, and employee engagement.
• Apply 5S, visual management, Manufacturing Execution Systems, and other communication tools to improve workflow and response.
• Support implementation planning, including timelines, resource needs, and cost considerations.
• Work in production environments with loud noise, extreme hot or cold conditions, dense equipment layouts, forklifts, and other operating hazards requiring strong situational awareness.

What Ingredients You’ll Bring

Minimum Qualifications (Required)

Education: 4 year/Bachelor's degree with concentration in engineering, manufacturing, and/or related field

• 4-6 years of progressive experience in supply chain, manufacturing, or OE direct‑leadership roles.
• Knowledge of Lean principles, TPM concepts, continuous improvement methodologies, structured problem‑solving, and change management.
• Experience implementing TPM (Total Productive Maintenance), Integrated Work Systems (IWS), Unrivaled Performance (UP), World Class Manufacturing (WCM), or similar manufacturing operating systems.
• Experience leading Autonomous Maintenance (AM), Focused Improvement (FI), Planned Maintenance (PM), or other TPM pillar activities.
• Experience utilizing OEE, loss analysis, and reliability metrics to drive operational improvements.
• Experience designing and implementing business processes, implementing Lean methodologies, and leading large‑scale change management efforts in complex manufacturing environments.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to foster a collaborative work environment and promote adoption of standardized processes and systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• FMCG, food and beverage, packaging, pharmaceutical, or consumer products manufacturing experience.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Knowledge and understanding of the supply chain planning process.
• Workfront system knowledge and use

Physical Requirements

• All production roles are required to pass a pre‑employment physical exam to comply with their specific role requirement(s)
• Certain roles may require the use of a respirator and passing the associated fit test
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs, sometimes repeatedly
• Regular walking and standing for long periods of time (up to 11 hours a day) on concrete, metal and grated surfaces
• Responsibilities may require crouching, stepping over, crawling under, bending, twisting, climbing and reaching above head and shoulders repeatedly throughout the day
• Responsibilities may require climbing flights of stairs, working from heights or on elevated platforms
• Ability to wear assigned PPE (safety shoes, gloves, facemask, hearing protection and hard hat)
• Established dexterity so you can handle materials, operate equipment and interface with computer systems with precision
• Some roles (e.g., forklift operator) may be required to sit for a prolonged period of time and have strong peripheral vision and depth perception

Working Conditions

• There is frequent exposure production environments
• Subject to loud and constant noise
• Non‑environmentally conditioned spaces which may lead to extreme hot and cold
• Operating environment is complex and densely populated with production equipment and forklifts that necessitate high situational awareness
• Work overtime as needed which may require 12-hour days, weekends, and holidays

Level: 5IC

At the Boston Beer Company and in accordance with pay transparency laws, we are open about our salary ranges. For this role, the salary range is between $88,000 and $138,000. However, it's important to note that where the person hired starts in this range is dependent on their related experience, skillset and location. Additionally, this position qualifies for a discretionary annual bonus based on company and individual performance, and certain sales roles might include a car allowance.

Some Perks:

Our people are our most important "ingredient." We hire the best talent; and we reward, develop, and retain them too. In addition to generous healthcare on day one, stock purchase plan, 401k and more, Full Time Boston Beer Coworkers have the following perks available*:

• Tuition reimbursement
• Fertility/adoption support
• Free financial coaching
• Health & wellness program and discounts
• Professional development & training
• Free beer!

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Fair Chance Ordinance and the CA Fair Chance Act. Boston Beer Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.

In order to help ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran's Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who wish to request accommodation in the job application process can contact [e-mail] for assistance.