Cellars Operator

SIGNAL HILL PRODUCTS; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

SIGNAL HILL PRODUCTS is seeking a Cellar Operator to manage cleaning, sanitizing and operating fermentation and conditioning tanks. This role ensures hygiene across the cellars and yeast plant, adheres to safety standards, maintains detailed production records, and supports continuous improvement on the shop floor.

The successful candidate will work shifts as production schedules require and contribute to safe, efficient cellar operations in a brewery environment.

Qualifications

• Matric or equivalent is required.
• Food safety qualification advantageous.
• Forklift license is required.
• Brewing experience is an advantage.
• Experience in a production environment with CIP and food safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanliness of the cider and yeast plant.
• Perform yeast cropping, scrap, and propagation per production schedule.
• Perform dry hopping and cellar additions with hygienic techniques.
• Follow SOPs and maintain sanitation of the cellar and product integrity.
• Maintain detailed records and analyses; look for improvements.
• Be willing to work shift hours dictated by production schedules.

Skills

Teamwork

Multitasking

Work under pressure

After-hours availability

Flexibility

Education

Matric or equivalent

Food safety qualification advantageous

Forklift Driver licence

Brewing experience advantageous

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Overall Responsibility

The Cellar operator is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing of fermentation and conditioning tanks, conducting cellar work and maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of the cellars and yeast plant

Overall Responsibility

The Cellar operator is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing of fermentation and conditioning tanks, conducting cellar work and maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of the cellars and yeast plant

Key Accountabilities And Focus Areas

Focus Area 1: Maintain safe, healthy and risk-free working environment

• Adhere to SHP Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) standards in all daily activities.
• Participate in safety observations, follow established safety processes, and report or escalate identified gaps.
• Implement and sustain 5S standards in the designated work area, maintaining workplace organization and discipline.
• Always adhere to safe working practices
• Follow all standard operating procedures (SOPs), risk assessments, and safe work instructions.
• Conduct pre-task safety checks before starting equipment or processes
• Perform Food Safety and Quality related activities as part of the FSMS and QC functions
• Apply basic hygiene and sanitation and adhere to food safety related rules and activities as per factory instructions
• Assist with Housekeeping

Focus Area 2: Manufacturing Excellence culture

• Consistently follows Manufacturing Excellence (ME) pillar tools and standardized work processes.
• Adhere to structured shift handover requirements to ensure operational continuity and information accuracy.
• Maintain the Operator Workstation concept throughout the shift
• Perform assigned Autonomous Maintenance tasks in accordance with established standards.
• Take responsibility for basic equipment condition, inspection, cleaning, and lubrication activities.
• Report equipment abnormalities and support restoration to basic conditions.
• Support the continuous improvement culture
• Drive manufacturing excellence pillars on the shopfloor

Focus Area 3: Cellars Operator

• Maintain cleanliness of the cider and yeast plant
• Perform yeast cropping, scrap, and propagation as per the production schedule
• Perform dry hopping and other cellar additions using hygienic and sanitary techniques
• Implement standard operating procedures while maintaining sanitation of the cellar plant and integrity of the product
• Maintain highly detailed records and analysis
• Look at ways to innovate or improve
• Must be willing to accept shift work hours, dictated by production schedules and may not follow normal office hours
• Schedules and other monthly KPI’s will be established to maximise the effectiveness of this support.
• Monitor and maintain efficient harvesting CO2 from fermentation vessel.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum Matric or equivalent
• Food safety/food science qualification advantageous
• Valid Forklift Driver licence
• Former brewing experience advantageous
• Experience in a production environment, knowledge of CIP processes and food safety standards
• Valid driver’s license/own transport

Skills And Competencies

• Proficient on Microsoft excel, Word and PowerPoint along with detailed record keeping
• Able to work well with others
• Able to work under pressure
• Ability to multitask essential
• Willing to work afterhours and on intermittent weekends
• Willing to assist in areas other than brewing within the production unit

NB:Specific duties/responsibilities will vary from time to time: the above list is intended to indicate the general nature of the post and is not exhaustive. The post holder will be expected to be flexible in supporting the business by undertaking any other responsibilities which are aligned with this job level.

Job Reference number: J285