Operations Manager - Second Shift

SUMMARY
The Second Shift Operations Manager is responsible for managing all brewery production activities during off-hours. This role ensures smooth, safe, and efficient operations across brewing, cellaring, packaging, and warehouse teams during the second or third shift. The position plays a critical role in driving overnight production, maintaining product quality, coordinating maintenance activities, identifying savings/efficiency opportunities and supporting cross-functional coordination to meet daily, weekly and monthly targets. This role will collaborate with all other department managers to ensure root causes for problems are found and addressed, training is being completed effectively and policies are applied consistently across the site.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
Shift Leadership
• Lead, coach, and support production teams during second shift operations.
• Serve as the senior on-site authority during off-hours, addressing any urgent issues or escalations.
• Ensure seamless handoff between shifts through effective communication and reporting.
• Helps in managing PTO and payroll approvals in Paycor and ensuring proper labor support for operations.

Production, Scheduling & Inventory Control
• Execute the daily production plan, ensuring all areas of the brewery meet scheduled timelines and quality standards and communicate when things are ahead or behind
• Monitor & update shift production KPIs and take corrective actions to maintain efficiency and minimize downtime.
• Ensure shift logs and process documentation is properly maintained with high accuracy.
• Ensure inventory control is properly maintained and that inventory control audits are executed properly.

Safety & Compliance
• Promote a safety-first culture and lead by example in all practices.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols and regulatory compliance measures, including HACCP, LOTO and GMPs.
• Conduct shift safety checks and respond to any incidents or near misses.

Quality Assurance
• Assists in both GBP and MSS programs to maintain a world class level of sanitation in all brewery operational areas.
• Collaborate with QA/QC teams to ensure quality standards are upheld throughout the shift.
• Ensure cleaning, sanitation, and CIP/SIP processes and standards are followed to prevent contamination.
• Investigate and resolve quality deviations promptly.

Team Development & Performance
• Supervise and support shift leads, trainers and frontline operators.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement by maintaining shift level KPI’s and identifying areas of opportunity
• Provide feedback, conduct coaching sessions, and support performance evaluations.
• Consult and follow up on personnel issues to ensure timely investigations and consistent resolutions.

Equipment & Maintenance Support
• Coordinate with maintenance teams to resolve equipment issues quickly and escalate issues appropriately.
• Ensure proper startup/shutdown procedures are followed each shift.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Brewing Science, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership position, with willingness to learn brewery-specific systems such as packaging lines, fermentation, and cellar management.
• Preferred experience in brewery operations, including packaging lines, fermentation, and cellar management.
• Familiarity with SAP based ERP systems, (Orchestrated Beer preferred) and production tracking software.
• Experience with sanitation and CIP/SIP systems in food-grade environments.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate teams.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• Work and drive between both production sites in Grand Rapids to ensure consistency and support across all Operational areas
• Regularly required to walk, climb stairs/ladders and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Work involves exposure to production equipment, noise, hot/cold temperatures, and cleaning chemicals.
• Must be available to work overnight and/or weekend shifts as necessary.
• Some travel may be required.