Quality Specialist Brewing Job Description

The quality specialist (brewing) will work to ensure that the beer produced in a brewery is of exceptional quality. They will work with the primary goals of improving brewery operations, improving product quality, improving customer satisfaction levels and reducing costs. The quality specialist will also help ensure that food safety standards are maintained and that the brewery complies with its legal obligations.

Reporting to the quality compliance manager, the quality specialist will establish quality control systems, perform regular products tests, analyse quality assurance data, and ensure the brewery is both a clean and safe environment.

They will guide the implementation of best-practice quality assurance and quality control techniques. They may also play a role in ensuring the quality of packaging materials. The quality specialist (brewing) is also responsible for educating management, brewers and other brewery staff on the ways they can improve product quality.

Key Responsibilities of the Quality Specialist — Brewing

The key responsibilities of the quality specialist (brewing) include:

• Ensure the brewery complies with the appropriate standards
  The most important responsibility of the quality specialist is to ensure the brewery complies with environmental, food safety, workplace safety and food ingredient integrity guidelines.
• Ensure that service level agreements relating to quality are met
  They will monitor the quality of the components used within the brewing process to ensure they meet the quality standards that have been agreed to.
• Organise and implement quality improvement projects within the brewery
  The quality specialist will design and implement quality improvement projects within specific budgetary constraints. These projects should be designed to improve product quality, safety, and efficiency. They must work to ensure that capital is spent in the most effective manner possible.
• Analyse quality assurance data
  The quality specialist will process and analyse the microbiology of the beer being produced. They will then make recommendations to the brewers and management team for quality improvement.
• Work with third party companies to coordinate audits
  They will help external bodies organise and perform audits of the brewery to ensure standards compliance.
• Encourage industry best practice in the brewery
  The quality specialist will continually improve the operation of the brewery and encourage industry best practices on the production line.
• Run quality assurance and improvement projects to a budget
  All projects that are developed by the quality specialist must be implemented with budgetary constraints in mind. In many cases, they must choose the most valuable project to perform with limited funding.
• Motivate staff to improve performance and product quality
  The quality specialist will actively encourage staff to improve their work practices and make them eager to do so. They must set key performance indicators and make staff aware of their importance.

Education

The quality specialist should have a Ba in a science related field or BSc ideally in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, Cereal Science, Chemical Engineering or Agronomy. Ideally, they will have a brewing related education qualification and training in quality control systems (IBD, CQE, Six Sigma).

Work Experience

The quality specialist (brewing) should have previous experience in the following areas:

• Experience and knowledge relating to brewing processes
• Experience with manufacturing and project management
• Experience implementing process improvement strategies
• Familiarity with good laboratory practice (GLP) and good manufacturing practice (GMP)

Key Skills

• Laboratory process skills and advanced knowledge of laboratory equipment
• Strong understanding of the brewing process
• Advanced knowledge of statistical methods
• Computer skills
• Strong communication skills
• Strong knowledge of continuous improvement techniques
• Advanced problem solving skills
• Results focussed with strong attention to detail
• Strong organisational skills and an analytical approach
• Ability to prioritise work and work on your own to deadlines
• Awareness of all relevant regulations regarding OHSA, food safety, and environmental safety
• Advanced interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills
• Demonstrated decision-making skills
• Leadership skills and the ability to motivate other staff
• Ability to coach and influence others to achieve specific results

Looking for a Brewing Process Engineer role? View our latest roles in the beer and brewing industry.

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FAQ

What is the primary role of a quality specialist in brewing?

A quality specialist in the brewing industry is pivotal in ensuring that beer produced meets the highest quality standards. They focus on enhancing brewery operations, product quality, customer satisfaction, and cost efficiency while upholding strict food safety and legal standards.

What are the essential duties of a brewing quality specialist?

Their core duties involve maintaining compliance with environmental, food safety, and workplace safety regulations, meeting service level agreements on quality, initiating and managing quality improvement projects, analysing quality assurance data, coordinating audits, and promoting best practices within the brewery.

What educational background is ideal for a quality specialist in brewing?

An ideal quality specialist would hold a Bachelor’s degree in a science-related field, such as Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, Cereal Science, Chemical Engineering, or Agronomy. Supplementary qualifications in brewing and training in quality control systems like IBD, CQE, or Six Sigma are also beneficial.

What work experience should a quality specialist in brewing have?

A brewing quality specialist should have experience in brewing processes, manufacturing, project management, and implementing process improvement strategies. They should also be familiar with good laboratory and manufacturing practices (GLP and GMP).

What skills are crucial for a quality specialist in the brewing sector?

Key skills include proficiency in laboratory processes and equipment, an in-depth understanding of the brewing process, statistical analysis, computer literacy, excellent communication, and a strong grasp of continuous improvement methods. They should also possess advanced problem-solving, organisational, decision-making, and leadership abilities, with the capability to coach and influence others.