At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead brewing operations and ensure high-quality beer production.
- Company: Respected UK brewery with a focus on innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to drive operational efficiency and creativity in a fast-paced setting.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make your mark in the brewing industry.
- Qualifications: 5+ years brewing experience and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 € per year.
A growing and highly respected brewery within the UK drinks sector is looking to appoint an experienced and commercially aware Head Brewer to lead all brewing and production operations. As part of continued growth, this is a fantastic opportunity for a technically strong brewing professional to take ownership of end-to-end beer production, quality standards, team leadership, and continuous improvement across the brewery. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced production environment, enjoys leading teams, and is passionate about delivering high-quality products while driving operational efficiency and innovation.
The Role:
- Leading all brewhouse operations including mashing, boiling, whirlpool, and transfers
- Managing fermentation schedules, yeast health, and yeast cropping
- Overseeing conditioning, carbonation, and dissolved oxygen (DO) control throughout production
- Optimising brew lengths, yields, and minimising production losses
- Approving recipes and supporting new product development initiatives
- Maintaining accurate brew logs, production documentation, and reporting systems
- Ensuring compliance with BRCGS / SALSA and wider food safety standards
- Supporting and maintaining HACCP procedures across the brewery
- Investigating product non-conformances and implementing corrective actions
- Ensuring cleaning regimes and CIP validation procedures are consistently followed
- Supporting preventative maintenance schedules and basic fault finding where required
- Managing weekly and monthly production plans alongside tank utilisation
- Monitoring raw material stock levels and approving material specifications
- Leading, developing, and training the brewing team
- Driving health & safety standards across all brewing operations
- Identifying opportunities for yield improvement, oxygen reduction, and process efficiency gains
- Supporting wider operational cost control initiatives
About You:
- Minimum 5 years’ commercial brewing experience within a production brewery environment
- Previous experience managing and developing production or brewing teams
- Strong technical knowledge across recipe formulation, fermentation, yeast handling, and oxygen control
- Experience within beverage mixing, blending, or flavoured beer production would be highly advantageous
- Good understanding of BRCGS / SALSA or equivalent food safety standards
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving capability within a production setting
- Experience using production planning and reporting systems
- Formal brewing qualifications (IBD, Heriot-Watt or equivalent) would be advantageous
- Experience with centrifuges, high-speed canning lines, or high-gravity brewing is desirable
- Exposure to non / low alcohol beverage manufacturing would be beneficial
- Flexible and hands-on approach within a fast-paced manufacturing environment
Please get in touch with Evie Coates or click “Apply Now” to be considered for this vacancy.
Head Brewer employer: Advocate Group
Join a dynamic and innovative brewery that values quality, teamwork, and continuous improvement. As a Head Brewer, you'll not only lead a passionate team in a fast-paced environment but also enjoy opportunities for professional growth and development within the thriving UK drinks sector. With a commitment to high standards and operational efficiency, this company fosters a supportive work culture where your expertise will be recognised and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Brewer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow brewers, attend industry events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. The more you engage with the brewing community, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of your brewing achievements or innovative recipes, don’t hesitate to share them during interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your passion and expertise in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Be ready to discuss fermentation schedules, yeast health, and quality control measures. This will show that you’re not just a good fit but a perfect match for the Head Brewer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our brewing family.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Brewer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for brewing shine through! We want to see how passionate you are about creating high-quality products and leading a team. Share your experiences that highlight your love for the craft.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Make sure to detail your relevant experience in brewing and production. We’re looking for someone with at least 5 years in the field, so don’t hold back on showcasing your technical skills and achievements in your written application.
Tailor Your Application:Take the time to tailor your application to our specific needs. Mention your familiarity with BRCGS/SALSA standards and any experience with fermentation schedules or yeast handling. This shows us you understand what we’re looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we appreciate a friendly tone, remember to keep it professional. Use clear language and structure your application well. And don’t forget to apply through our website – it’s the best way to get your application in front of us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Advocate Group
✨Know Your Brewing Process Inside Out
Make sure you can confidently discuss every step of the brewing process, from mashing to fermentation and conditioning. Be prepared to share your experiences with specific techniques and how you've optimised production in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Brewer, you'll be leading a team, so highlight your experience in managing and developing brewing teams. Share examples of how you've motivated your team and improved their performance, especially in a fast-paced environment.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Quality Control
Quality standards are crucial in brewing. Be prepared to talk about your experience with BRCGS/SALSA compliance and how you've implemented quality control measures. Discuss any challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Brewing can come with its fair share of challenges. Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've identified issues in production and the steps you took to resolve them. This will show your troubleshooting skills and ability to maintain operational efficiency.
