Vice President, Brewery Operations

BJ's Restaurants, Inc.; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

BJ's Restaurants, Inc. seeks a Vice President, Brewery Operations to provide strategic leadership across our brewery network.

You will set direction for brewery operations, oversee brewing to packaging, and stay hands-on to solve critical quality and performance challenges. You will manage a multi-level team, own budgeting and financial planning, cultivate a culture of accountability, and partner with restaurant and corporate leaders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with specialized brewing education.
• BJCP/Cicerone certification and judging experience preferred.
• 12+ years leading teams in breweries or large operations.
• Experience managing craft brewery production (25,000+ BBL annually) preferred.
• Strong financial, budgeting, and P&L analysis skills.
• Excellent communication and executive presentation abilities.
• Hands-on leader with ability to solve operational challenges.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for Brewery Operations aligned to growth and profitability.
• Lead and develop multi-level leaders and their teams.
• Oversee brewing to packaging with hands-on site leadership.
• Manage third-party brewer relationships and capacity planning.
• Lead budgeting and G&A planning and report to senior leadership.
• Drive initiatives to improve efficiency, yield, and quality.
• Ensure QA programs and safety/compliance across sites.
• Coordinate ERP entries, inventory accuracy, and material planning.
• Travel to Temple, TX; Austin/Dallas; Reno, NV and CA as required.

Skills

Beer brewing

Leadership

Financial acumen

Communication

Problem solving

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in brewing/related field

Specialized brewing education

BJCP/Cicerone certification

GABF/WBC judging experience

Job description

Overview

Who We Are

At BJ's Restaurants, we've been bringing people together to celebrate life's moments since 1978. We're more than a restaurant, we're a team of passionate people who take pride in creating great food, memorable experiences, and a workplace where everyone feels valued. If you're energized by teamwork, motivated to keep learning, and passionate about creating great experiences for others, you'll feel right at home here.

Responsibilities

What You'll Do

The Vice President, Brewery Operations provides strategic leadership for BJ's Brewery Operations, driving growth, quality, operational excellence, and financial performance across our brewery network. This is a true leader-of-leaders role, overseeing three direct reports who lead their own teams and supporting an overall organization of 15+ direct and indirect team members.

You'll set the direction for brewery operations while staying close to the work, building a high-performing culture through coaching, development, and accountability while remaining hands-on in solving key operational, quality, and performance challenges. You'll partner closely with the Senior Vice President, Brewing Operations; Director of Quality Assurance; Director of Brewery R&D; Manager of Logistics; and restaurant and corporate leaders across BJ's.

How You'll Contribute

• Set strategic direction for Brewery Operations, aligning priorities and investments with company growth, quality, and profitability goals.
• Lead, coach, develop, and inspire a multi-level team of leaders and their direct reports; build bench strength through succession planning, mentoring, hiring, and performance management.
• Oversee all stages of brewery operations, from brewing to packaging, while maintaining a hands‑on presence at brewery sites.
• Own third-party brewer relationships, including onboarding, performance management, capacity planning, and quality expectations.
• Drive financial performance by leading budgeting and G&A planning, analyzing P&Ls and cost variances, and reporting results and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Identify and lead initiatives that improve efficiency, yield, cost, quality, and scalability.
• Ensure rigorous QA programs and consistent execution of brewery standards internally and with third-party brewers.
• Champion safety and ensure compliance with OSHA and applicable state and federal regulations, including excise tax, importing, and production reporting.
• Ensure accurate, timely ERP entries for brewery invoicing, production records, quality metrics, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Ensure inventory accuracy and on‑time ordering of raw materials and supplies.
• Build strategic relationships with key suppliers and partner with restaurant leadership to support beer quality and availability.
• Support brewery R&D initiatives and represent BJ's at industry, supplier, and beer events.
• Communicate strategy, performance, and recommendations clearly through strong written and executive presentation skills.

What You'll Bring

• Deep passion for beer and brewing.
• Bachelor's degree required, plus specialized brewing education; BJCP/Cicerone certification and GABF/WBC judging experience preferred.
• At least 12 years of experience leading teams, including experience leading leaders in a brewery, manufacturing, or similarly complex operational environment.
• Brewery management experience with a mid-size or larger craft brewery (25,000+ barrels of annual production) preferred.
• Proven ability to coach, develop, and inspire teams while driving accountability and results.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, P&L analysis, variance explanation, and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear recommendations for senior leaders.
• A hands‑on approach to operational problem‑solving and site leadership.
• Strong decision‑making, problem‑solving, and prioritization skills; ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment with accuracy and organization.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings, weekends, and required travel.
• Ability to be based in Temple, TX, or in Austin or Dallas, TX with willingness to commute to Temple weekly. This role requires travel to Reno, NV and West Covina, CA multiple times per month; Huntington Beach, CA two to three times per quarter; and third‑party brewers and supplier partners as needed.

Salary Range

USD $150,000 - $160,000 plus bonus eligibility and comprehensive benefits.

Proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. is required. BJ's Restaurants is an equal opportunity and E-Verify employer.

Benefits that matter... Live your best life!

• 401(k) with company match to help you plan for the future
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Free and discounted meals
• Career growth and advancement opportunities
• Financial wellness and life planning resources
• Employee discount program and additional lifestyle perks
• A collaborative culture built on teamwork, service, and celebrating wins

Ready to Lead the Future of Brewing at BJ's?

If you're a brewery operations leader who combines a passion for great beer with strong operational, financial, and people leadership, we'd love to hear from you. Bring your expertise, curiosity, and hands‑on leadership style to BJ's and help us continue to elevate the quality, performance, and growth of our brewery operations.

Pay Range

USD $150,000.00 - USD $160,000.00 /Yr.