Brewing Production Manager in Waunakee, Wisconsin at Octopi Brewing

Brewing Production Manager
Waunakee, WI (Octopi) | Brewing | Full-Time

About Asahi Beer USA

Asahi Beer USA is a premium beverage business built around super premium brands — Asahi Super Dry, Twisted Shotz, and Zeitaku Shibori. As part of Asahi Europe & International, the global arm of Asahi Group Holdings, we combine local agility with global scale, supported by Octopi Brewing, our state-of-the-art production facility in Wisconsin.

About the Role

This is a senior leadership role for someone who can see across an entire brewing operation — brewhouse, cellar, and batching/blending — and keep it all moving together. The Brewing Production Manager is the pivotal facilitator of daily brewing operations: solving problems in real time, leading root cause analysis, driving safety and process improvement, and developing the brewing team's skills and career growth.

You'll work directly with the Brewing/Technical Director, collaborate daily with Quality, and act as the connective tissue across planning, maintenance, suppliers, and the broader Asahi brewing network. If you have deep brewing knowledge, a problem-solver's mindset, and genuinely enjoy developing people, this role is built for you.

This role reports to the Brewing/Technical Director.

What You'll Do

• Provide daily leadership and support across brewhouse, cellar, and batching/blending teams
• Lead problem-solving and decision-making support for all brewing teams
• Lead critical Root Cause Analyses, bringing in cross-functional support as needed
• Collaborate with the planning team to optimize digital resources (BIMS) supporting brewing operations
• Lead collaboration efforts with other breweries across the Asahi network
• Escalate and propose CAPEX project needs based on production priorities
• Oversee the Learning & Development coordinator's goals and ongoing activities
• Own and oversee the brewing Career Matrix system to support brewer development
• Act as a "next level" trainer, deepening team understanding of process and best practices
• Interact daily with Quality to oversee fermentation, approve product, and provide corrective direction
• Lead process improvement and support SOP development across brewing operations
• Lead safety initiatives with the EHS Manager, cascading and escalating concerns as needed
• Serve as primary contact for brewhouse raw materials and supplier relationships
• Manage personnel issues and accountability in partnership with department managers and the Brewing/Technical Director

What We're Looking For

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in a production brewery environment producing 100,000+ bbl/year
• Bachelor's degree in the sciences or related brewing education a plus
• Strong troubleshooting skills in a brewing/manufacturing environment
• Diverse experience and strong aptitude with automated equipment a plus
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and time management
• Ability to prioritize and perform well in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
• A positive, solution-oriented attitude — non-negotiable for this role

Skills & Experience That Set You Apart

• Cross-functional leadership across brewhouse, cellar, and batching/blending
• Root cause analysis and structured problem-solving
• Process improvement and SOP development
• Safety culture leadership and EHS collaboration
• Brewer development and Career Matrix ownership
• Supplier and raw materials management
• Cross-brewery collaboration within a larger network
• CAPEX planning and prioritization

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: Based on experience
• Hay Grade: 17
• Eligible for annual performance-based bonus program
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off & 9 paid holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• And more

We are an equal opportunity employer. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Asahi Beer USA celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can show up as their authentic self.