Brewhouse and Fermentation Operative

Are you passionate about beer and eager to help craft some of the finest brews around? Do you thrive in a hands‑on environment where quality, safety, and continuous improvement are at the heart of what you do? If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and make an impact in a dynamic and historic brewery, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

As a Brewhouse & Fermentation Operative at Britain’s Oldest Brewer, you’ll be at the forefront of crafting high‑quality beer from raw ingredients to the finished product. You’ll work with cutting‑edge brewing and fermentation equipment, ensuring every brew meets our exceptional standards while driving process improvements along the way.

If you are a dedicated, flexible individual who’s passionate about the brewing process and ready to take your skills to the next level, we want to hear from you. Step into the world of brewing excellence and join us in creating something truly special.

This role reports to the Site Shift Brewer and requires a weekly rotation between early and late shifts, with occasional weekend work as needed,

What\’s in it for you?

• Competitive wage with potential for overtime
• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays)
• A range of healthcare support, including virtual GP appointments
• Annual flu jab
• Access to flexible pay and financial wellbeing resources
• Generous company pension plan
• Death in service of 4x your salary, if you join the company pension scheme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and sick pay
• Mental health and wellbeing support for all, including our own Mental Health First Aiders
• 25% discount on food and drink at Shepherd Neame Managed Houses
• 25% discount on overnight Managed House Hotel bookings
• Up to 40% discount on own‑brand beer and cider purchased from the Visitor Centre Shop at Faversham
• Instant access to discounts with high street retailers, supermarkets and more!
• Birthday Club exclusive offers and discounts
• The drinks are on us during monthly get‑togethers for team members in our Visitor Centre, along with our Summer and Christmas parties
• The opportunity to develop & move within the Support Office, Brewery & our pubs
• Join our reward and recognition platform, Sheps Hut
• Benefit from the support offered by the Licensed Trade Charity to those working in the brewing industry
• Receive one additional day of paid leave per year to volunteer for a charity of your choice
• Working Hours: Full‑time, 37.5 hours per week. 08:30 – 17:00, Monday to Friday with 1 hour lunch (unpaid)

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Handle and move raw materials to the Brewhouse using manual or automated systems.
• Operate and monitor Brewhouse and Tun Room equipment to produce beer to specification.
• Follow recipes and schedules, adjusting processes to maintain quality and consistency.
• Add ingredients accurately and on time, ensuring product quality.
• Record brewing data, including measurements, timings, and ingredients used.
• Collect and test wort and beer samples, recording results for quality control.
• Identify and resolve brewing issues, making process adjustments as needed.
• Maintain strict hygiene and sanitation standards in all Brewhouse areas and equipment.
• Report equipment faults or maintenance needs to Engineering, Laboratory, and Management.
• Adhere to safety protocols and promptly report hazards.
• Carry out any ad‑hoc instructions as required

The Ideal Candidate:

• Knowledge of brewing processes and equipment with previous experience in a brewing or fermentation environment preferred
• Basic understanding of quality control and testing procedures
• Experience operating forklifts or other machinery
• Positive, conscientious attitude towards work and team members
• Ability to learn and operate multiple brewhouse processes simultaneously with strong attention to detail
• Experience collaborating within a team and working independently
• Strong problem‑solving skills and a focus on process improvements
• Flexible approach to working across other production areas as needed

Shepherd Neame may be Britain’s oldest brewer but our approach is anything but old-fashioned. We are an authentic, independent business, yet flexible and agile, and that has enabled us to survive and thrive based on the following Sheps Skills:

• Working Together
• Pride and Passion
• Authenticity
• Sheps Spirit

Who are we?

Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame, has been based in the market town of Faversham, Kent for over 300 years. An independent family business, we boast an award‑winning visitor centre and more than 300 pubs and hotels throughout London and the South East, from the historic heart of the City to the Kent coastline. We employ around 1,500 team members across our pub estate and more than 270 at our Brewery and Support Office.

Diversity, equality, and inclusion matter to Shepherd Neame. If you think you would be suited this role we would welcome your application regardless of age, disability status, ethnicity, gender, religion or sexual orientation. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment where all employees feel respected and supported in fulfilling their potential.