Quality Technician I

Job DetailsJob Location: Paso Robles - Paso Robles, CA 93446Salary Range: $23.00 - $27.00 HourlyWho We Are: 

Born in a humble shed on the back-forty of the family vineyard, Firestone Walker is a California beer company like no other – founded by two brothers-in-law who simply wanted to make the perfect beer. Now a regional craft brewery, our singular purpose remains – to craft the world’s best beers. Passionately in pursuit of the perfect beer… and never satisfied. 

Job Summary:

As a Quality Technician I, your role will be to ensure the quality of products throughout production. It will require daily interactions with production processes and personnel from all areas of the brewery. When performing this role, you will be required to pull samples from tanks, kegs, barrels, production lines and water sources to perform analytical, microbial, packaging or sensory analysis in laboratory environments. These tests are critical in maintaining the overall quality of what is produced at the brewery. A high degree of accuracy and efficiency will be required.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Analytical

Complete sample collections for fermentation and brewhouse testing
Ensure general cleanliness of the lab and instrumentation, performs routine maintenance on laboratory equipment and can troubleshoot basic analytical issues.
Maintain QC analytical database; includes, but is not limited to data entry, record keeping, trending, data analysis and follow-up with brewing and cellaring teams on concerning data.
Run routine testing such as bitterness units, color, VDKs, alcohols, end gravities, pHs, haze, and other testing as required.
Work safely and maintain a clean & safe working environment at all times; understand hazards and utilize the appropriate personal protective equipment


Micro

Complete sterile sample collection from all production areas including fermentation tanks, CIP and P3 water samples, oak barrel samples, bright beer tanks, whiskey barrel samples, packaged product, filtration samples, production water samples (DAW, ROW and ozone), and additional samples as requested.
Provide sterile sample containers to packaging staff for micro sampling
Plate a variety of in process, finished product and water samples for microbial analysis
Ensure micro supplies are maintained correctly to ensure sterility before use
Prepare media, sterile water, sterile saline and other reagents as needed.
Complete inventory of micro supplies and update order list.
Clean and autoclave micro equipment.


Sensory Analysis

Run, record and analyze results from sensory panels
Run panel testing for true to type and release tastings on all packaged products
Complete threshold testing
Complete age profiles to test flavor stability and shelf life
Complete descriptive panels for beer flavor attributes and threshold testing
Complete preference and difference tests
Complete raw material tasting, including CO2, RO and de-aerated water
Complete bright beer and fermenter release testing
Maintain the warm and cold beer libraries in an organized


Packaging

Complete BBT release testing and run/check that AE, alcohol, color, pH, micro, CO2 and DO are correct
Complete package testing for CO2, TPO, DO, HSO, AE, alcohol, density, pH, bottle fill heights, crimp checks, secure seal testing, seam checks on cans, and keg testing and sample collection
Pull Micro/Sensory/Analytical samples


All Function Areas

Complete all initial and on-going assigned safety training
Required Data Entry
Other duties as assigned

 QualificationsQualifications:

Degree in microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, or food sciences is preferred
At least 2 years of prior experience in a quality monitoring position in a production environment preferred

Other Skills and Abilities:

Ability to work well in a team environment and manage multiple tasks
Ability to take initiative, act promptly and be proactive with minimal supervision
Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing
Ability to communicate and present information effectively for shift handoff
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent
Ability to perform mathematical analysis and statistical inference, analysis and report on findings
Rely heavily on multiple types of communication forms to pass information to team members and management
Excellent organizational skills
Able to teach and train others
Knowledge of brewing & fermentation process a plus
Ability to operate and use a PC computer and be proficient in Microsoft Office suite of programs

Work Environment/Physical Demand:

Regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands to finger, handle or feel objects and tools.
Required to talk or hear
Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms an