Production Manager

Lost Forty Brewing is a production craft microbrewery in the heart of downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. We aim to craft beers as wild, unwavering and uniquely Arkansas as the storied forest from which we take our name.

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Production Manager (PM): responsible for the planning and coordination of the entire brewing process. To perform this role they must manage staff, schedule beer production runs, ensure adequate raw materials are available, and make sure that the brewery’s equipment is working correctly.

They will also oversee production, supervise beer packaging, maintain a safe work environment, schedule maintenance work and much more. The brewing production manager will work closely with the executive management team and head brewer to ensure that the brewing process remains consistent and that beer production goals are met.

This is a key role at the brewery and one that carries a lot of responsibility. They must ensure that the brewery produces high-quality beer — on-time and on-budget.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. SCHEDULING: PM is responsible for all production scheduling. They work closely with sales and marketing to realize sales goals. This includes scheduling wort production, cellar tasks such as transfers, adjunction, and vessel cleaning, packaging, yeast pitching and propagation, lab quality checks, repairs and maintenance, warehousing activities, and work shifts.

1. RAW MATERIAL PROCUREMENT & PRODUCTION INVENTORY: PM is responsible for managing production inventories. This includes ordering, counting, adjusting, rotating and organizing product ingredients, packaging materials, cleaning chemicals, and small wares such as personal protective equipment and warehouse materials. They are responsible for sourcing production materials and maintaining vendor relations. PM is also responsible for coordinating organic waste disposal with partner farmers.

1. EKOS SYSTEMS & ACCURACY: PM will ensure EKOS functionality and accuracy. PM position requires thorough understanding of EKOS interface and workflow. Responsibilities include but may not be limited to verifying production tasks and counts, efficiencies, costs of goods sold, inventories, and variances. PM will investigate and rectify discrepancies as necessary.

1. INTERNAL LOGISTICS AND OPTIMIZATION: PM will ensure all facility operations are conducted efficiently without compromising product integrity. PM will work with Sales and brewery staff to optimize production planning and execution based on quality and production data, sales forecasts, and company goals. Responsibilities include but may not be limited to monitoring and optimizing supplies and ingredient orders, labor hours, shipping and receiving, warehousing, scheduling, training, and hiring.

1. FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE: PM works with management team, staff, and service partners to ensure integrity of production equipment, warehouse building and utilities, and grounds. PM schedules routine and non-routine service visits and in-house maintenance and housekeeping tasks.

1. HIRING AND ONBOARDING: PM is responsible for onboarding new employees. This includes collecting onboarding paperwork and orientation. 

Professional Background

1. Experience at all levels of craft brewery production including leading teams and coordinating schedules in complex situations. 
2. Experience with purchasing, lead times, shipping and receiving.  
3. Ability to remain calm under pressure to find solutions to time sensitive challenges
4. Demonstrable skills in analytical and abstract reasoning
5. Experience in managing people 
6. Strong understanding of the craft brewing business and operating processes.
7. Computer skills with Microsoft tools such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Experience with ERP software for production scheduling and inventory management. 
8. Undergraduate degree with advanced degree not required but a plus

Personal Qualities

1. Proven problem solver that works well under pressure
2. Self starter and independent thinker that gets things done
3. Highly collaborative
4. Skilled change agent but insightful in understanding when change is needed, when to advocate for change, how to advocate for change and very thoughtful in executing change in a collaborative fashion
5. Good verbal and written communicator
6. Strategic skills with a business sense around operational efficiency
7. Highly accountable and committed to work to tight deadlines where necessary
8. Highest personal integrity and personal/professional ethics
9. Demonstrated ability to work with and across multiple functions
10. Engenders trust with peers and associates in the organization.
11. Quick learner who is willing to study the inner workings of the company and business data
12. Demonstrates strong instincts and intuition

Physical Requirements

1. The ability to lift 25 pounds
2. The ability to lift 50 pounds occasionally
3. The ability to respond quickly to sounds
4. The ability to move safely over uneven terrain or in confined spaces
5. The ability to see and respond to dangerous situations
6. The ability to safely climb ladders
7. The ability to work in variable weather conditions