Head Brewer

Location: Kernville, California

Reports To: Board of Directors and Eric Giddens (Brewmaster)

Works Closely With: Corporate Secretary / Brewery Manager, Restaurant General Manager

Supervises: Production Team (Brew, Cellar, Packaging, QA)

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

About KRBC

Kern River Brewing Company is a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) craft brewery. Every eligible employee participates in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, sharing directly in the long-term success of the company.

As a leadership-level position, the Head Brewer qualifies for participation in the Manager / Key Employee ESOP allocation pool, aligning ownership rewards with company performance, profitability, and long-term growth.

Located in Kernville, CA — a mountain town on the Kern River and gateway to the Southern Sierra — KRBC pairs award-winning beer with an unmatched outdoor lifestyle.

Position Summary

The Head Brewer is the senior leader of all brewing and production operations and is accountable for delivering continuously improving results in:

• Safety
• Quality
• Service
• Cost Performance
• Operational Efficiency

This role is both strategic and hands-on. The Head Brewer leads the production team while actively collaborating with the Board of Directors and Corporate Secretary / Brewery Manager on budgeting, capital planning, reporting, systems development, and long-term strategy.

The ideal candidate is a decisive leader with strong financial acumen, operational discipline, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a positive, professional presence.

Core Responsibilities

Executive & Board Engagement

• Participate in Board meetings as requested; present production updates and KPIs.
• Contribute strategic ideas to support company growth and operational improvement.
• Align production strategy with overall business objectives.

Production Leadership & Department Accountability

• Provide direct leadership, coaching, evaluation, and development of the production team.
• Hire, train, develop, and administer performance improvement plans as needed.
• Make staffing recommendations, including promotions, corrective actions, and terminations.
• Conduct formal employee evaluations at least twice per year.
• Meet one-on-one with each team member monthly to develop improvement plans, eliminate gaps in knowledge, and maximize job satisfaction.
• Help lead weekly production meetings; document and communicate outcomes.
• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and ownership.
• Ensure the department consistently meets production targets and quality standards.

Brewing & Quality Excellence

• Oversee brewing operations across 7 BBL pub and 20 BBL production systems.
• Ensure all beers meet KRBC’s sensory and analytical quality standards.
• Maintain and improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Implement structured SOP training, certification tracking, and equipment logs.
• Monitor fermentation performance, yeast health, and ingredient management.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action for process deviations.
• Maintain complete batch records, compliance logs, and traceability documentation.
• Drive continuous improvement in consistency, yield, and process efficiency.

Production Planning, Inventory & Systems Management

• Manage and execute the production schedule in collaboration with Brewery leadership.
• Forecast annual ingredient requirements and negotiate for optimal pricing and supply reliability.
• Oversee brewery production inventory systems (raw materials and finished goods).
• Utilize EKOS (or equivalent ERP system) to improve efficiency, data accuracy, and reporting.
• Track and analyze KPIs including yield, loss, labor efficiency, and cost of goods sold (COGS).
• Identify opportunities to reduce operating costs without compromising quality or safety.

Financial Stewardship & Budget Oversight

• Monitor department spending and cost performance against forecasts.
• Identify questionable, excessive, or unnecessary expenses within production operations.
• Support margin improvement through waste reduction, process efficiency, and vendor management.
• Collaborate with leadership on financial planning and long-term operational sustainability.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Lead and maintain a comprehensive Safety Program compliant with OSHA standards.
• Foster a strong “Safety First” culture across all brewing and packaging operations.
• Conduct safety audits, inspections, and incident investigations.
• Implement corrective action plans to prevent recurrence of hazards.
• Maintain documentation for regulatory compliance and safety training.
• Ensure proper chemical handling, PPE compliance, confined space protocols, and equipment safety standards.

Maintenance & Operational Reliability

• Partner with the Maintenance Manager to ensure an effective preventative maintenance program.
• Maintain documented inventories of critical spare parts and production tools.
• Troubleshoot brewhouse and packaging equipment issues.
• Support the purchasing, maintenance, and repair of production equipment.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to maximize uptime and reliability.

KRBC Ambassador

• Serve as an everyday ambassador of KRBC’s employee-ownership culture.
• Participate in beer dinners, festivals, and promotional events as requested.
• Conduct brewery tours when necessary.
• Provide hands-on support during major events.

Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum 5+ years of production brewing experience.
• 2+ years of supervisory or management experience in brewing or food production.
• Demonstrated success managing production teams.

Technical Expertise

• Advanced knowledge of brewing science and fermentation management.
• Experience with industrial utilities (glycol systems, boilers, compressed air, CO2).
• Strong QA/QC knowledge and ability to identify off-flavors and root causes.
• Mechanical troubleshooting capability.
• Ability to efficiently and effectively use Google Docs, Sheets, Drive, Calendar, Mail, and Slides as well as Ollie Ops within 30 days of hire.
• Forklift certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).

Leadership & Professional Skills

• Strong financial acumen and cost-control mindset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in a variety of situations.
• High level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with leadership.
• Demonstrated alignment with KRBC’s ethics, values, and employee-ownership culture.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk 8–10 hours per day.
• Frequent lifting up to 55 lbs.
• Ability to climb ladders and work in confined spaces.
• Ability to work in wet, hot, cold, and high-noise environments.
• Must be able to wear required PPE (respirator, gloves, boots, ear protection, etc.).
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

Time is spent in both office and production environments, with exposure to:

• Pressurized vessels and transfer lines
• Hot and cold liquids
• Cleaning chemicals
• High noise levels
• Moving mechanical parts
• CO2 and airborne particles
• Wet/slippery floors
• Variable indoor and outdoor temperatures

Schedule

• Full-time (45–50 hours per week; some weeks may be longer).
• Core availability during standard business hours.
• Occasional evenings, weekends, and travel required.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $71,000 – $90,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Exceptional candidates with extensive experience, proven leadership, or specialized brewing expertise may be considered for a higher salary.
• 100% Employee-Owned (ESOP) Company: As a Head Brewer, you qualify for participation in the Manager / Key Employee ESOP allocation pool, giving you a direct stake in the long-term success of KRBC and aligning your contributions with company performance.
• 401(k) participation upon eligibility.
• Health insurance – 100% employer-paid base plan (30+ hours/week required).
• Optional dental and vision coverage (KRBC covers half the premiums).
• Life insurance – employer-paid base plan.
• Accrued PTO: 2 weeks annually after a 30-day probationary period.
• Food & beer shift allowance: $9 KRBC card for every 6+ hour shift worked.
• Employee discounts:
• 50% off one shift meal (6+ hour shift worked as a manager)
• 25% off food and drinks as a customer
• 25% off retail items
• 40% off KRBC shirts and hats worn on shift

Kern River Brewing Company is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Employment with KRBC is at-will and in accordance with California employment law.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check consistent with California law.