Packaging Lead/Equipment Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary
This role combines packaging line operation with hands-on responsibility for equipment maintenance. As our Packaging Lead / Equipment Manager, you'll own the day-to-day operation of our packaging line and serve as the go-to person for keeping our production equipment running — troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and repairs across the brewhouse and packaging floor. You'll also work brew days and cellar shifts as needed, making this a true production-brewer role with a technical specialty. Our production team is small and hands-on and in addition to this role includes a Head Brewer, a Brewer/Cellarman, and a production assistant. The team produces beer for both distribution and a large taproom. The Packaging Lead/Equipment Manager reports to the Head Brewer.

Key Responsibilities

Packaging
• Plan and run all canning operations on our Alpha Beverage Cannon II 50 servo-fill canning line
• Operate and maintain our Lotus "Canhusker" can depalletizer and supporting line equipment
• Maintain packaging QC logs and hold the line to spec — catching and correcting issues before they become waste

Equipment & Maintenance
• Own preventive maintenance and troubleshooting for our core process equipment: the Alfa Laval Brew 80 high-speed separator (centrifuge), Good Nature CBP600 tunnel pasteurizer, Cici carbon recapture system • Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic issues across the canning line, centrifuge, and pasteurizer
• Keep maintenance logs, spare-parts inventory, and service/vendor relationships organized and up to date
• Coordinate equipment installs, upgrades, and outside service calls as the brewery scales
toward its built-out capacity

Brewing & Cellar
• Work brew days and cellar shifts as needed, including on our 30-bbl brewhouse and 7-bbl pilot system
• Partner with the Head Brewer on capacity planning and equipment readiness as volume
grows

General
• Follow and enforce all safety, sanitation, and TTB/ABC compliance procedures
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe packaging and equipment area

Qualifications
• 2+ years in a canning/packaging environment, ideally in brewing, beverage, or food manufacturing
• Strong mechanical and electrical aptitude — comfortable troubleshooting servo-driven, pneumatic, and PLC-controlled equipment
• Hands-on experience with canning lines, centrifuges, and/or pasteurizers strongly preferred
• Basic welding, fabrication, or plumbing skills a plus
• Forklift certification preferred, or willingness to obtain one
• Comfortable lifting 55+ lbs and working flexible hours, including packaging days and occasional weekends
• A calm, “figure-it-out” troubleshooter who can keep the line moving under pressure

Compensation & Benefits
• Pay: $52,000–$66,000/year DOE (approx. $25–$32/hr)
• Excellent health insurance and paid time off benefits
• Employee beer allowance / staff discount
• Growth potential as production capacity scales up
Actual offer depends on experience — particularly hands-on canning line, centrifuge, or pasteurizer
troubleshooting experience and any electrical/PLC background.

Old Bust Head Brewing Company is an independent, solar-powered production brewery on the historic Vint Hill Farm Station in Fauquier County, Virginia. We currently produce roughly 3,500 barrels a year, but our brewhouse and packaging line are built out for significantly more.

Company Description

Old Bust Head Brewing Company is an independent, solar-powered production brewery on the historic Vint Hill Farm Station in Fauquier County, Virginia. We currently produce roughly 3,500 barrels a year, but our brewhouse and packaging line are built out for significantly more.