Director of Brewing Operations

The vision for Mountains Walking is to dissolve the boundaries that separate us from reality.

The vision for New Hokkaido is the bring the spirit of Hokkaido to the world through storytelling.

Primary Responsibilities: 

Leadership & Management: 

• Lead, mentor, and develop the brewing and operations teams, including brewing staff, QA, packaging, maintenance and support staff while fostering a positive and collaborative work environment. 
• Set performance goals, cascade annual company goals, and conduct regular performance reviews. 
• Embody the company’s core values while operating in alignment with the mission, integrating them into general business operations and interpersonal interactions.  

Strategic Planning: 

• Collaborate with Founding CEO, Director of Sales and Head Brewer to develop and execute long-term strategies for growth, production expansion and innovation. 
• Identify opportunities for new product development, innovation and market expansion in line with cold supply chain requirements. 
• Develop investment plans and lead capital projects, including new equipment installations, capacity expansions and facility upgrades. 

Production Management: 

• Oversee all aspects of brewing operations, including brewing, fermentation, packaging, quality control and transportation. 
• Ensure brewing, fermentation, and packaging processes meet production schedules while maintaining high quality standards and customer service requirements across the manufacturing network. 
• Monitor and optimize manufacturing processes to improve productivity and reduce costs.

Supply Chain and Cost Management: 

• Manage the full scope of the supply chain – from sourcing the highest quality and finest ingredients, to production and transportation of finished products, ensuring availability and cost-effectiveness. 
• Oversee inventory levels of essential raw materials and finished goods.  
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, distributors, and key customers. 
• Develop and manage the brewing operations budget, including raw materials, labor, and overhead costs. 
• Implement cost-saving measures without compromising quality or safety. 
• Establish, measure and report on operations key performance indicators to ensure successful attainment of company goals. 

Quality Assurance, Safety and Compliance: 

• Establish and maintain quality control measures to ensure products meet both internal and external standards. 
• Work closely with quality assurance team (internal and external) across the manufacturing network to address any quality issues that arise. 
• Ensure compliance with all relevant local, state, and federal regulations, including those related to health and safety, environmental standards, and alcoholic beverage production. 
• Promote a culture of safety within the brewery, throughout the company and conduct regular training and audits. 
• Maintain up-to-date records and documentation. 

R&D and Process Improvement: 

• Stay current with industry trends and technological advancements. 
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality and operational efficiency. 
• Oversee all aspects of research and development. 
• Evaluate and implement new brewing technologies and processes. 
• Develop, vet, and debut new beer recipes in conjunction with the brewing team, sales, marketing and cross-functional teams.