Package Lead / Brewer

Kern River Brewing Company; Kernville (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Kern River Brewing Company is seeking an Assistant Brewer / Packaging Lead to manage daily packaging operations and assist in brewing and cellar duties. You will lead packaging staff, operate packaging equipment, and support production schedules while maintaining quality and safety standards.

The role emphasizes teamwork with the Head Brewer and Brewery Manager, driving continuous improvement, inventory accuracy, and documentation across packaging and brewing areas.

Qualifications

• Direct packaging operations daily, ensuring quality and efficiency.
• Lead packaging staff, oversee bottling, canning, labeling, and warehousing tasks.
• Ensure sanitation standards and safety procedures are followed.

Responsibilities

• Produce beer according to KRBC recipes and quality standards on 20 BBL and 7 BBL systems.
• Perform milling, mashing, lautering, boiling, whirlpool, and related brewing steps.
• Manage packaging materials, inventories, and production records.
• Coordinate staffing, workflows, and equipment setup to meet production schedules.
• Train and mentor packaging staff on SOPs, safety, and quality controls.

Skills

Packaging leadership

Brewing & cellar operations

Quality assurance

Safety compliance

Team supervision

Tools

Keg washer/filler

Labeling equipment

Job description

The Assistant Brewer / Packaging Lead is a hands-on production leader responsible for assisting in brewing and cellaring, quality assurance, packaging operations, equipment care, and production support throughout the brewery.

Working closely with the Head Brewer and Brewery Manager, this position leads daily packaging operations while assisting with all aspects of brewing and cellar work. Responsibilities include helping supervise packaging staff, running and maintaining packaging equipment, helpingmaintain production schedules, ensuring product quality, managing inventories and production documentation, maintaining sanitation standards, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across brewery operations.

The ideal candidate is a self-motivated brewer with strong technical knowledge, leadership ability, mechanical aptitude, and a commitment to producing exceptional beer safely and consistently.

The Assistant Brewer / Packaging Lead is accountable for delivering continuously improving results in:

Packaging Quality

Production Efficiency

Safety

Equipment Reliability

Inventory Accuracy

Operational Excellence

Core Responsibilities

Lead all daily packaging operations including:

Bottling

Canning

Labeling

Tray packing

Finished goods preparation

Shipping preparation

Stocking

Coordinate staffing, workflow, equipment setup, and production priorities to meet production schedules.

Serve as shift leader for packaging operations while maintaining productivity, quality, and safety expectations.

Train, mentor, and coach packaging employees on:

SOPs

Cleaning and sanitation

Safety procedures

Quality standards

Operateand oversee the:

Keg washer/filler

Labeling equipment

Date coding systems

Perform equipment setup, changeovers, preventative maintenance, lubrication, calibration, and basic troubleshooting to minimize downtime.

Conduct in-process quality checks including:

Fill levels

Seam inspection

Crown integrity

Date coding

Package appearance

Maintain accurate packaging documentation including production reports, inventory transactions, quality records, and finished goods reconciliation.

Manage inventories of packaging materials including:

Cans

Bottles

Kegs

Labels

Trays

Pallets

Closures

Packaging supplies

Collaborate with brewing, warehouse, maintenance, sales, and restaurant teams to ensure smooth production flow.

Identify opportunities to reduce product loss, improve yields, increase packaging efficiency, and reduce downtime.

Brewing & Cellar Operations

Produce beer according to KRBC recipes, brewing standards, and quality expectations on both the 20 BBL and 7 BBL brewing systems.

Perform all aspects of the brewing process including:

Milling

Mashing

Lautering

Boiling

Whirlpool operations

W