Brewery Operative - Wells & Co

At Wells & Co, we are passionate about creating unique, high-quality craft beers that inspire and bring people together. Located on the outskirts of Bedford, our brewery has become a cornerstone of the local craft beer scene since opening in 2021. Brewpoint, encompassing bar and restaurant, has quickly established itself as a destination venue for visitors seeking a unique experience. We believe in innovation and sustainability, and are now looking for a Brewery Operative to join our small team and help us push the boundaries of brewing excellence.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Brewery Team Lead, the Brewery Operative is responsible for maintaining a safe and efficient working environment, overseeing day-to-day operations, and achieving production goals. This role plays a critical role in upholding safety protocols, operating machinery across the brewery, ensuring effective quality control, and fostering a culture of problem-solving, continuous improvement, and customer awareness.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all team members and customers
• Understand and adhere to production risk assessments
• Achieve all production Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Work flexible shift rotations to meet production demands
• Conduct daily and weekly production activities based on schedules and loading plans
• React proactively to changes in production plans, breakdowns, or fermentation delays, align with the production escalation plan
• Safely operate machinery in designated areas: Packaging, Processing, Brewhouse, or Cellars
• Follow recipes, specifications, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) precisely, maintaining records and quality paperwork
• Perform standard administration tasks in Microsoft Excel and NAV (ERP) for system accuracy and compliance
• Occasionally cover for sickness or holidays in the Warehouse team
• Actively participate in daily production meetings
• Collaborate with the Brewery Team Lead and Head Brewer to develop commercially viable beers
• Ensure understanding and adherence to Brewery HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)
• Implement and monitor QC/QA processes to maintain high-quality standards throughout the brewery
• Conduct weekly inventory/stock counts and address discrepancies in NAV
• Manage goods in/out procedures when receiving deliveries
• Maintain shop-floor cleanliness and organisation in line with 5S principles and Standard Work procedures
• Adhere to a customer-conscious mindset across all operations, prioritising roles that directly impact customers (e.g., Sales, Supply, Packaging, Processing, Tours)
• Support the Brewery Engineer with breakdowns and Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM) and assist Warehouse Operatives as needed