QA Lead, Manufacturing ​/ Production, Quality Engineering

Description

Sapporo brewed the first beer of Japan in 1876. It’s now the number one selling Asian beer brand in the U.S. thanks to its best-selling Sapporo Premium. Sapporo acquired Stone Brewing in 2022 to brew all of Sapporo’s beer for the U.S. market. Stone Brewing, established in 1996, pioneered the West Coast Style IPA helping to fuel the modern craft beer revolution.

Now one company, Sapporo‑Stone Brewing is among the 15 largest breweries in the U.S. and operates production facilities in Escondido, CA and Richmond, VA plus seven Stone Brewing taproom and bistro locations. We’ve enjoyed a rich history following our passion and are in search of people who take great pride in building our legacy for the future.

Position is accountable for assisting the Quality Assurance Supervisor or Manager in coordinating and communicating required quality activities to QA staff. He/she is responsible for escalating behavioral or technical issues as needed. This position will also carry out QA analytical support of brewing and packaging processes.

• Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
• Lead shift changeover meetings to ensure daily lab and production needs are communicated effectively.
• Lead and log safety tailgates. Escalate safety concerns to management and assist with finding solutions.
• Lead quality processes and procedures by supervising and instructing quality technicians in their roles under the guidance of the QA Supervisor and Manager.
• Monitor lab supply inventory and submit order requests to the supervisor or manager in a timely manner.
• Oversee the lab equipment calibration and maintenance schedule and ensure completion of tasks. Escalate issues with equipment or completion of tasks.
• Lead projects aimed at completing, maintaining, and organizing QA records.
• Collect samples for analysis including samples for physchem, sensory, and micro.
• Perform standardized physchem testing on in-process and finished beer including but not limited to: ABV, IBU, color, turbidity, pH, forced fermentations, water analysis, vicinal diketone, and acetaldehyde analysis.
• Perform standardized physical testing on packaged beer including but not limited to: total packaged oxygen, carbonation, fill levels, seam checks, and crimp checks.
• Assist with sensory assessment by performing True to Target, Descriptive, and Hedonic taste panels using Draught Lab, pulling samples for the sensory library, and shipping samples to other locations as needed.
• Empowered to hold and release beer based on established QA specifications.
• Ensure lab equipment is running properly by testing control beer and troubleshooting equipment as needed.
• Perform advanced preventative maintenance and calibrations on equipment such as the Anton Paar, Hach 6110, pH meters, balances, gas chromatograph, high‑performance liquid chromatograph, thermocyclers, etc.
• Have a deep understanding of the meaning of analytical data.
• Accurately and effectively analyze and report data including updating databases in a timely manner, trending data, and presenting to management on a regular basis.
• Work cross functionally to help determine root cause and drive improvement actions when quality events occur.
• Lead 5‑why root cause analysis in response to KPI triggers.
• Assist in the training of brewery personnel on analytical equipment.
• Cross‑train to cover microbiological methods and yeast propagation procedures.
• Prepare stock solutions, media, and other reagents needed for lab operation.
• Maintain a professional and clean lab by storing and organizing lab supplies appropriately, keeping up with washing labware, wiping down the counter tops on a daily basis, etc.
• Assist in tracking lab supply inventory and putting in orders as needed.
• Work safely within the brewery and lab at all times.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree or higher in STEM or related field.
• Experience:
  
  At least 4 years of related experience working in a laboratory. Must have experience utilizing and developing analytical testing methods. Must have experience showing an understanding of the theory behind how the equipment and tests work/measure…