Production Application Specialist

Job Title: Production Application Specialist                          

Department: Research & Development

Classification: Non-Exempt / Hourly                                    

Reports to: Product Development Manager

$65000.00 - $80000.00 Salary/year

Job Qualifications:

1. Preferred background in chemistry, chemical engineering, fermentation, and/or flavor science through work experience or formal education. 
2. Project management skills preferred.
3. Excellent math, communication and computer skills, be strongly detail oriented and be able to easily multi-task.
4. Demonstrated aptitude for data management and working cross departmentally to create long term system-wide quality improvement.
5. Ability to independently initiate, prioritize, and perform or solve work problems and ultimately achieve work objectives and meet deadlines.
6. Must be able to work independently and as a team member.
7. Must be able to effectively communicate in written and verbal form with co-workers, supervisor, and management.
8. Follow and contribute to written (Standard Operating Procedures -SOPs, company memos & emails) and verbal instructions including company safety rules.
9. Familiarity with YCH’s plant operations, business scope, sensory program and lab analyses
10. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and Outlook).
11. Possess a strong work ethic to positively contribute to the company’s mission, vision, values and environmental policy and quality policy.
12. Must have a positive attitude, support co-workers to obtain desired objectives, and assist others in their contributions.
13. Ability to sit/stand/walk for extended periods of time and access stairs and ladders.
14. Ability to bend, stoop, squat occasionally to frequently.
15. Ability to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (in required areas) for extended periods of time.
16. Ability to lift (up to 50 lbs), carry (up to 44 lbs) occasionally to frequently within normal limits.
17. Ability to adapt to changing paces and processes quickly.
18. Must be able to learn ERP systems to perform data entry & print reports.
19. Must be able to work long hours whether at a desk or in the field.
20. Must embrace and nurture a culture of continuous improvement.
21. Attentive to the task and own surroundings.
22. Must have a valid driver’s license, a dependable vehicle, and be willing to travel between YCH facilities.

Job Summary:

The Production Application Specialist supports the development of new, and advancement of existing products by performing brewing trials and supporting all R&D groups (Sensory, Brewing, Laboratory). They are responsible for executing brewing experiments on the benchtop system (<10L) and larger trials on the pilot brewery (5 hL) for internal analysis. This includes all brewing, cellaring, and cleaning procedures. The R&D Application Technician will also lead all aspects of the beer sensory panel. They will perform routine lab tests on samples, collect data for the product development team, and draft project reports/posters in a scientific format for distribution internally and externally at industry events.

Job Duties:

1. Brew beer for research projects, new variety development testing, and industry events
2. Brew beer, monitor fermentations in YCH’s brewing facility (both benchtop and pilot scale)
3. Collaborate with the brewing team on recipe design for internal brew trials
4. Maintain brew day and fermentation logs for internal beers
5. Build and manage bench top system for small scale trials
6. Design experiments to test new products and processes
7. Optimize brewery processes where applicable and update SOPs
8. Perform routine keg and cellar maintenance
9. Purchase equipment and ingredients as needed
10. Maintain a clean, sanitary environment
11. Lead the sensory analysis of beer samples
12. Obtain and prepare sensory samples
13. Perform regular sensory panel set up, execution, and clean up
14. Export sensory data and manage sensory data
15. Prepare panel training materials and execute panelist training sessions
16. Manage panelist validation and provide routine feedback on attendance, performance, etc.
17. Perform statistical analysis on beer sensory data
18. Analyze incoming samples in the lab
19. Prepare beer samples for analysis
20. Analyze samples by UV, HPLC, GCMS-SCD, turbidity meter, Anton Paar, and pH meter
21. Write and modify SOPs as required
22. Maintain systems to store and interpret data
23. Manage hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal guidelines
24. Represent YCH as a technical expert
25. Collect data for the Cross Functional Product Development Team (XFPD)
26. Coordinate beer samples for industry events
27. When applicable, be present at events to answer questions about products and application of products in brewing or other beverages
28. Share brewing recipes and communicate beer specifications to the marketing team
29. Present scientific research for internal as well as externally at industry events, customer and YCH teams
30. Taproom Oversight
31. Manage beer inventory and menu board
32. Manage SOPs, checklists, staff training, etc. for taproom operations
33. Research and Development team member
34. Manage research projects, new product development testing, and quality investigations
35. Update project management files
36. Assist in maintaining a pleasant, organized, and effective working environment
37. Approach issues or concerns with a positive attitude and solution-minded outlook
38. Communicate with customers and other YCH teams to share results and present ideas
39. Assist in maintaining all relevant analysis equipment and facilities to ensure accuracy and dependability
40. Participate as an active member in YCH’s sensory program, both hops and beer
41. Provide technical support to YCH staff and customers with emphasis on new product testing
42. Continuously look for ways to improve process efficiency and work with teams and supervisors to evaluate recommendations and craft process improvement plans
43. Adhere to company safety policies as well as federal, state, and local safety and environmental regulations
44. Adhere to the operating budget
45. Maintain sanitary and safe work environment and follow safety requirements
46. May actively participate on company’s Safety Committee
47. Ensure that company safety policies as well as federal, state and local safety and environmental regulations are observed
48. Must have a complete understanding of company’s policies, SOPs, QPs, EPs, HACCP and cGMP that pertain to their department to ensure quality, safety, efficiency and sustainability.
49. Must adhere to all company policies
50. Examine documents, materials, and products and monitor work processes to assess completeness, accuracy and conformance to standards and specifications
51. Follow all SOPs in a given area
52. Perform all other duties as assigned by Manager and/or designee

Benefits: 

1. 100% Vested 401k Safe Harbor Match at 6%
2. Performance Incentive Bonus opportunities
3. 10 Recognized Holidays
4. 50 hours of personal/sick time pro-rated based upon hire date
5. 110 hours accrued Vacation
6. Competitive Wages
7. Medical, Dental, & Vision insurance
8. Health Savings Account (HSA)
9. Flexible Savings Account (FSA)
10. Company Paid Life & AD&D, Voluntary Life And AD&D Insurance
11. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Lifeworks
12. Calm for Work
13. Education Tuition Assistance Program
14. Wellness Benefit
15. Employee Giveback Program
16. Individual Development Programs
17. Youth Donation Program
18. Continuing Education Programs
19. Bring your Pet to Work Program (applies to admin positions only)
20. Pet Insurance
21. And much more…