Cellar & Packaging Assistant

Who We Are:

Founded in Ventura, California in 2015, we believe that people should drink great beer. We love that we get to craft great beer among a landscape and community that inspires us. Our team is made up of talented and passionate folks who share our values of quality, craftsmanship, and community spirit. This means we use the freshest ingredients, work with skilled brewers and production professionals, and thrive on uplifting and unifying our community. As we continue to grow, we are eager to find amazing people to contribute their talents to our evolving products, culture, and community.

Who We Are Looking For:

A self-motivated, hardworking, and detail-oriented individual to join our Production team. The Cellar & Packaging Assistant reports to the Director of Brewing Operations and is responsible for many aspects of the brewery’s day-to-day cellar and packaging operations. They will play an active role in tank cleaning and sanitation, yeast management, centrifuging, carbonation, canning, kegging, and maintaining packaging equipment. The ideal candidate is passionate about independent craft beer, committed to quality and safety standards, and motivated to grow within the Company for the long term.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Cellaring Operations

• Perform CIP procedures on fermenters, brite tanks, Grundy tanks, dry hop tanks, and new tanks, including acid and sanitation cycles
• Monitor tanks including gravity readings, head pressure, temperature control, CO2 and dissolved oxygen levels
• Harvest and manage yeast according to SOP and yeast sheets
• Perform dry hopping using hop cannon and top port methods
• Recirculate hops and manage oxygen control in brite tanks
• Carbonate and nitrogenate brite tanks
• Scrub oxygen from tanks and manage tank purging
• Operate and troubleshoot centrifuge and inline carbonator
• CIP and maintain centrifuge

Packaging Operations

• Set up, operate, clean, and sanitize rotary canning line according to SOP
• Monitor fill levels, date codes, CO2 and dissolved oxygen using C-Box
• Minimize product and material waste during packaging runs
• Assist with mechanical troubleshooting and changeovers
• Set up, operate, and clean keg washer and keg filler
• Monitor cleaning and filling cycles, ensure proper steam sterilization
• Label and palletize finished kegs and move product into cold storage

General Production & Facility Responsibilities

• Assist brewing team during packaging runs
• Maintain clean and organized packaging hall, cellar, and warehouse
• Rotate packaged goods FIFO in warehouse
• Safely handle cleaning chemicals including caustics, acids, and sanitizers
• Support general brewery cleaning including floors, drains, equipment surfaces, and storage areas
• Assist with commissioning and maintenance of new equipment
• Complete all required paperwork accurately and legibly
• Perform additional production tasks as needed with a positive attitude

Required Experience:

• Minimum 1 to 2 years of commercial brewery, cellaring, or packaging experience preferred
• Strong work ethic and self-starting attitude
• Mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot equipment
• Good interpersonal skills and team spirit
• Ability to operate a forklift and pallet jack
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growing company
• Evening, weekend, and holiday availability required
• Must adhere to company policies and procedures
• Must be 21 years or older at the time of application

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Able to work in a high-paced production environment with moderate to loud noise levels
• Able to read and follow written English instructions
• Able to work in environments that may be loud, slick, humid, cold, or hot
• Able to stand for prolonged periods
• Able to stoop, crawl, twist, turn, lift, kneel, and climb ladders and stairs
• Able to manipulate valves, clamps, hoses, and packaging equipment
• Able to regularly lift and carry 44 to 55 pound materials
• Able to lift and move up to 75 pounds using proper techniques and tools
• Able to comply with safe chemical handling procedures and PPE requirements

Pay and Benefits:

• $22 to $26 per hour, commensurate with experience
• Dental, Vision, and Medical Benefits
• 401K Program
• Accrued PTO and Paid Holidays
• Monthly Cell Phone Stipend
• 24 Hours Paid Community Service/Volunteer Work
• Beer and Merch Perks

Topa Topa Brewing Co. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. All employment decisions are based on merit and business needs and all are encouraged to apply.