Micro Specialist

BrewDog PLC; Winchester (VA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discount

Beer training

Healthcare

Pawternity leave

DEI and crew forums

Job summary

BrewDog USA is seeking a detail-oriented QA Laboratory professional to support beer quality and safety across production. You will execute laboratory tasks, maintain QA records, and ensure adherence to SOPs and regulatory standards while collaborating with senior staff.

The role emphasizes proactive quality control, timely reporting, and ongoing development within a team dedicated to brewing excellence.

Qualifications

• QHSE induction and competency requirements must be met.
• Strong understanding of brewing safety & quality objectives is essential.
• Ability to train and mentor junior lab technicians on fundamental tasks.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to BrewDog HACCP, GMP, and QA SOPs to ensure safety, quality and efficiency.
• Comply with QHSE & PPE policies and coach junior team members.
• Write and maintain SOPs to reflect current QA processes.
• Estimate daily lab tasks, manage time, and request help when needed.
• Maintain accurate QA documentation and communicate deviations promptly.
• Assist production with quality-related tasks and support R&D projects.

Skills

PCR Enrichment Testing and Data Interp

Traditional Micro Plating Procedures

Isolate, Identify & Interpret Micro

Wastewater COD/CBOD analysis

Cell Counts / Fermentation Analysis

Physical Chemistry Analysis

Packaging Quality Analysis

Seam Analysis

Daily PCR Reporting

Daily Microbial Data & Identification

Tools

Anton Paar DMA and Alcolyzer

Anton Paar CBox and PFD

Haffmans Gehaltemeter

pH Meter / Microscope

Autoclave / Incubator

Orbosphere 6110

Centrifuge

SeamMetal Analysis Equipment

Midwest Microbio PCR

Job description

About Us

We love great craft beer. We want everyone to be as passionate about it as we are – and our bars are at the heart of that mission. You’ll help us deliver an amazing beer and customer experience every shift so, because we expect great things from you, we give great things back.

STAFF DISCOUNT | 25% off in bars, 30% off online and 50% off BrewDog Merch to fill up your fridge and your wardrobe* (*don’t put your hoody in the fridge though)

BEER TRAINING | We love beer and we want you to love beer too, so we’ll support you through the internationally-recognized Cicerone qualifications, so you can love it almost as much as we do. We’ll also pay you more for each level you pass.

AND A LOT MORE | Okay, deep breath… enhanced sick pay, healthcare, life assurance, high street retail discounts, employee assistance programs, enhanced family friendly policies around maternity and paternity leave, holiday days per year, pawternity leave, DE+I and crew forum groups and a “shifty” crew beer at the end of every shift.

We’re focused on making sure that we, and future generations, have a planet to brew great beer on. Our industry leading techniques help us create and deliver unique beer whilst doing our bit (and others’) for the environment.

About The Role

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To include but are not limited to the following;
• Is responsible for adhering to all rules, regulations, policies, programs and related BrewDog HACCP, GMP, preventative maintenance plan set up by senior brewers, 6S etc. to ensure safety / quality / efficiency of BrewDog projects, products and equipment.
• Comply with and enforce adherence to all QHSE & PPE Policies without exception. This role includes coaching of more junior members of the team.
• Executing given tasks in a consistent, safe and efficient manner, according to our established standards and SOPs. Able to write and maintain SOPs to ensure accuracy with current QA processes.
• Is able to determine daily required lab tasks, accurately estimate lab process time, finish tasks in an efficient manner, and is able to identify and reach out for assistance when tasks exceed labor time.
• Has consistent knowledge of production schedule and can identify and communicate when QA timelines impact it.
• Maintains a professional, organized and clean laboratory.
• Is able assist production with quality related tasks.
• Independently identifies new brewery related projects and is able to make progress on projects autonomously.
• Regularly communicates critical quality information and deviations in a timely and professional manner, reports daily data through the PCI email.
• Maintain accurate, timely and meticulous records through all forms of QA Documentation (Centralized Data Sheet, Gravity and Fermentation Tracking, Micro Exceptions, R&D Project Notes)
• Understand & operate equipment in the area of responsibility in a safe manner, maintains the highest standard of care and preventative maintenance for equipment.
• Able to keep track of periodical lab tasks and perform them in an acceptable window of target date.
• Ensure clear channels of communication with senior staff to guarantee the quality and consistency of our beers.
• Be a team player who works collaboratively, is flexible, happily shares and supports those around them.
• Take a proactive approach to individual learning and development to generate a greater understanding of areas that require improvement/development.

About You

Proficiencies

• To include but are not limited to the following;
• PCR Enrichment Testing and Data Interpretation
• Traditional Micro Plating Procedures
• Ability to Isolate, Identify and Interpret Micro Results
• Wastewater Sample Attainment and Analysis (COD/CBOD procedures)
• Cell Counts / Fermentation Analysis
• Physical Chemistry Analysis
• Packaging Quality Analysis
• Seam AnalysisAble to properly maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot
• Sensory Preparation and Spikes
• Able to properly maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot
• Anton Paar DMA and Alcolyzer
• Anton Paar CBox and PFD
• Haffmans Gehaltemeter
• pH Meter / Microscope
• Autoclave/ Incubator
• Orbosphere 6110
• Centrifuge
• SeamMetal Analysis Equipment
• Midwest Microbio PCRAble to Generate Daily/Monthly Reporting on
• Daily PCR Results
• Daily Microbial Data and Identification
• Monthly Micro Trends

Key Skills

• Independently responsible for planning and executing a tasks in a day
• Excellent and professional communication with operators and management team.
• Strong time management skills
• Works in a clean and organized environment
• Ability to train and mentor junior lab technicians on learning fundamental lab tasks and methodologies.
• Strong level of understanding of biology, chemistry.
• Chemical handling/awareness training.
• Has a strong understanding of the brewing process as it relates to specifically to BrewDog USA brewing.

Continued Professional Development

• Certified Beer Server with a view to advancing to Cert. Cicerone.
• Continuing sensory education and spike training.
• Independent reading on industry relevant technical papers and developments.
• Ownership Role in R&D Projects.
• Training with Cellar/Brewhouse/Filtration/Canning/Kegging.

Mandated Requirements

• QHSE Induction.
• QHSE Competency Program.
• Comply with all QHSE policies relevant to the production department.
• To work safely and follow the training and instruction given, wearing the required PPE at all times, with no exceptions.
• Maintain PPE in good working order and proactively flag up any PPE requirements.
• Report all near miss and QHSE incidents to the relevant teams & individuals.
• To work in accordance with site hygiene requirements and approved working procedures.
• To understand impact of activities carried out as part of the job on beer safety management system and quality of the products.
• To be aware of business beer safety and quality objectives, QHSE policy and implications of not conforming to Food Safety Management System requirements.
• To comply with IMS (Integrated Management Systems) policy.
• Competent and comply with all requirements of the Food Safety Management System relevant to this role.