What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Beverage Blender position at Aster/Big Watt Beverage Inc.?
Lead Beverage Blender
Company: Aster Beverage
Location: New Richmond, WI
About Us:
Aster Beverage is a premier co-packing partner, producing high-quality beverages for third-party brand owners. We excel in operational excellence, quality control, and meeting client specifications within a collaborative environment. Join us to help bring diverse beverage brands to life.
Position Overview:
Aster Beverage seeks an experienced Head Beverage Blender to lead blending operations at our co-packing facility. This role oversees beverage mixing and production according to customer-provided formulations and processes. You will ensure adherence to rigorous quality, safety, and efficiency standards, manage production workflows, lead the blending team, oversee equipment sanitation and maintenance, manage customer-supplied inventory, and maintain meticulous records. This position champions GMPs and SOPs to ensure operational excellence for our customers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Customer Specification Adherence: Execute production strictly following customer-provided recipes, formulations, and process authorities; manage recipe documentation accurately.
- Production Leadership: Direct all blending/mixing processes; ensure proper equipment setup, operation, and maintenance; manage production schedules to meet customer deadlines efficiently.
- Quality Assurance: Implement and monitor QC protocols, ensuring compliance with Aster and customer standards; document results and address deviations promptly.
- Team Supervision: Lead, train, and mentor the blending team, ensuring adherence to safety, GMPs, SOPs, and customer requirements.
- Equipment & Sanitation: Oversee equipment maintenance and troubleshooting; develop and verify cleaning/sanitation procedures (CIP/COP) to prevent cross-contamination.
- Inventory Management: Collaborate with Inventory to manage customer-supplied materials (ingredients, packaging) and Aster items; ensure proper rotation, tracking (lot codes, expiration), and handling.
- Compliance & Documentation: Enforce GMPs and regulatory standards; develop/update SOPs incorporating customer needs; maintain comprehensive, audit-ready batch records, QC logs, and sanitation documentation.
- Communication & Improvement: Liaise with management and customer representatives on production status; identify and propose process improvements respecting customer specifications; maintain a safe and clean work environment.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Required:
- Proven beverage blending/mixing experience in a manufacturing setting (co-packing experience highly preferred).
- Strong knowledge of blending equipment, GMPs, HACCP, and food safety standards.
- Excellent leadership, training, and team management abilities.
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational and documentation skills.
- Proficient in basic math and precise measurement/formulation execution.
- Ability to troubleshoot operational and quality issues effectively.
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand for extended periods, work in varying temperatures.
- Preferred:
- Experience with diverse beverage types (carbonated, functional, CBD/THC, seltzers, RTDs, etc.).
- Experience tracking customer-owned inventory.
- Experience writing SOPs in a co-packing environment.
Work Environment: Manufacturing environment with potential exposure to allergens, chemicals, noise, and varying temperatures. PPE provided as required.
Compensation: Competitive wages commensurate with experience.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Extended hours
- Morning shift
- Weekends as needed
Shift availability:
- Day Shift (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- New Richmond, WI 54017 (Preferred)
Ability to Relocate:
- New Richmond, WI 54017: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Work Location: In person