Work at Pilot Project

Pilot Project is in constant search of hard-working team members with a taste for craft beer and creativity to add to our growing team.

As a brewery incubator in the craft beer hotbed of Logan Square, Chicago, our approach to brewing industry-defining products happens by fostering relentless experimentation of new brewing recipes, breweries, collaborations, styles, and concepts. Our mission for every guest walking into Pilot Project’s tasting room is to experience the thoughtfulness we put into our products by way of expert knowledge, an attention to detail, and impeccable customer service. 

We accomplish this by hiring spirited and dedicated individuals that embody the Pilot Project high standards and demonstrate expert knowledge of the brewing process, our craft beers, cuisine, and fellow breweries. We celebrate team members that help create a welcoming and educational environment curated to each guest’s needs and interests.

Interested candidates can email jobs@pilotprojectbrewing.com with a resume and brief explanation of why you’re the perfect fit for a job at Pilot Project Brewing.

 

Distribution & Fulfillment Coordinator, Milwaukee, WI

REPORTS TO: Production Manager: Milwaukee Facility Manager

LOCATION: 1128 N 9th St, Milwaukee, WI 53233

We are looking for a motivated craft beer lover to join the Pilot Project Brewing team as our Distribution & Fulfillment Coordinator.

Pilot Project is a brewery incubator that recently expanded to Milwaukee . Our approach to brewing industry-defining products happens by fostering relentless experimentation of new brewing recipes, breweries, collaborations, styles, and concepts. Our mission for every beer distributed, whether consumed at a bar or from home, is that the experience drinking one of our breweries’ products is as close to drinking at the source as possible.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Work closely with the Sales and Operations teams and prepare deliveries based on week’s priorities

  • Perform delivery routes in Company Vehicle in a reliable and timely manner

  • Oversee logistics with product transfers

  • Manage fulfillment and shipping of online product orders, when relevant

  • Collect payment as noted by team members

  • Ability to load and unload cases and kegs of beer up to 150+ lbs with reasonable accommodation

  • Ability to safely operate job related equipment (i.e. hand truck, pallet jacks)

  • Complete weekly log of vehicle and delivery needs citing feedback from storage managers

  • Check in on accounts as needed and thoughtfully engage with customers when necessary

  • Maintain inventory of kegs and pick up empty shells as needed

  • Organize product inventory and support packaging days as needed

  • Build and maintain relationships with all retailer accounts for Pilot Project and its partner breweries to increase packaged sales and brand awareness in the market.

  • Communicate openly and respectfully with all team members and act as a steward of the Pilot Project Brewing brand and representative of our suite of incubated breweries.

  • Support logistics and represent Pilot Project and our brands at festivals, tastings, and events

OTHER EXPECTATIONS

  • Flexible to work early mornings, nights, and weekends as needed

  • Willingness to help out in other business areas related to a lean startup.

  • Build and maintain productive relationships with brewery partners outside of organization and sales initiatives.

  • Maintain sustainable business practices and respect all members of staff

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Must be 21 years of age or older

  • Valid driver’s license with solid driving record

  • Self-motivated and willing to contribute outside of core responsibilities

  • Ability to maintain cleanliness and professionalism

  • Extreme attention to detail and ability to act quickly

  • Great communication verbal or written

  • Mind blowing customer service skills

  • Must be able to lift 50lbs above head and handle 165lb kegs

  • Be punctual, kind-hearted, patient, and stay awesome

PERKS

  • Health, vision, and dental benefits for full time employees

  • 401k following one year of employment

  • Employee discounts on food, beer and gear

  • Employee only events

  • Competitive wages

  • Awesome working environment where initiative and ownership is rewarded

Any combination of experience, education, and/or training that can be considered equivalent to the requirements of the position will be reviewed to assess candidacy.

LEad brewer, Milwaukee, WI

Location: 1128 N 9th St, Milwaukee, WI 53233

Pilot Project Brewing is looking for a dedicated and passionate Lead Brewer to join our team. The Brewer will be responsible for executing the brewing process, ensuring high-quality wort production, and maintaining cleanliness and safety standards in the brewing area.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Planning and Scheduling

    • Work with the Head Brewer and Production Manager to implement the brew schedule.

    • Reviews efficiency, consistency, quality, and safety of operations to determine what improvements can be made with Head Brewer and Production Manager.

    • Participate in Production Committee meetings.

    • Tracking silo and raw material inventories and assuring they are always in stock.

    • Coordinates weekly labor schedule for the brew team with the Production Manager.

    • Schedules spent grain pickups with farmers.

    • Work with the maintenance team and Production Manager to schedule repairs and PMs on brewhouse.

    • Leadership

    • Develop, maintain, and organize SOPs for all brewhouse operations with Head Brewer.

    • Train team on SOPs, GMP, and 5S procedures and monitor compliance

  • Ekos

    • Train all brewers to enter Ekos accurately in real-time.

    • Assure wort production is entered daily in an accurate manner.

    • Adjust PdO/BOM in Ekos to reflect recipe adjustments.

    • Backup Production Manager as Ekos overseer.

    • Monthly inventory counts and reconciliation.

  • Quality Control and Improvement

    • Ensure all brewing records are updated daily.

    • Record and tracking lot codes of all ingredients used in the brewing process.

    • Maintain a daily dialogue with the cellar team to confirm pitches and tank availability.

    • Develop methods and practices to improve BH wort quality and process.

    • Maintenance & Safety

    • Maintain a daily dialogue with QC team members to ensure proper brew specifications.

    • Build a culture of safety by leading efforts to follow established safety policies and procedures.

    • Recommend safety improvements for the brewery to management and the Safety Committee.

  • Brewing

    • Act as primary shift brewer for the facility.

    • Update brew automation procedures and recipes per Head Brewer.

    • Assist brew team by ensuring vacation and sick leave requests are adequately covered with the Production Manager.

  • Other

    • Help in the cellar when there is no brewing work.

    • Attend events as a representative of the company.

    • Collaborate with the brew teams to create new beers.

    • Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of brewing processes, ingredients, and equipment.

  • Quality Control: Familiarity with testing and quality assurance procedures.

  • Problem-Solving: Ability to troubleshoot issues in the brewing process.

  • Creativity: Skills in recipe development and innovation in brewing techniques.

  • Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for team management and reporting

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

  • Lift 50-60 lbs, must regularly lift and/or move up to 10lbs throughout shift

  • Climb ladders up to 20 feet and operate a scissor lift.

  • Safely bend at knees to lift objects and stoop, kneel, and crouch.

  • Frequently duck under conveyors/equipment.

  • Climb stairs multiple times during a shift.

  • Wear required Personal Protective Equipment.

  • Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus and the ability to see color; either with or without accommodation.

  • The ability to work in loud, wet, cold, hot, indoor and outdoor environments frequently.

EXTRAS:

  • Healthcare, Dental, and Vision following 60 days of employment

  • 401(k) following 1 year of employment

  • PTO Package

  • Employee discounts on food, drink and gear

  • Employee only events

  • Competitive wages

  • Awesome working environment where initiative and ownership is rewarded

  • Industry education allowances

Any combination of experience, education, and/or training that can be considered equivalent to the requirements of the position will be reviewed to assess candidacy.

Interested candidates should email with a resume and brief cover letter.

Thanks!

Pilot Project Brewing Team

Packaging Specialist - 2nd shift, Milwaukee, WI

Reports to: Production Manager

Location: 1128 N 9th St, Milwaukee, WI 53233

Pilot Project Brewing is looking to bring on first and second shift packaging specialists to join our Milwaukee brewing team. Packaging Specialists play a critical role in the process of supporting Pilot Project and its Brand’s products reaching the eager public. This role works in both the canning and keg lines as the final product is packaged and organized into its final distribution form across kegs, 4/6 packs, cartons, or any of the other multitude of options we package at Pilot Project. This role is mechanically inclined and requires an understanding how conveyors, gears, and other production machinery operate as a baseline part of the position. An understanding of quality control and ability to document and perform audits during the run is a necessity. This is a non-exempt, hourly position with specific duties that change daily, depending on the needs of the brewery.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Maintain a clean and safe work environment in and around the packaging lines

  • Learn, follow, and carry out Standard Operating Procedures for the packaging line conveyance, air dryer, labeling machine, cartoner, Paktech machine, tray packer, and palletizer

  • Perform routine cleaning and maintenance when required and a full review and mechanical once-over one day per week

  • Perform seam checks and oxygen checks throughout the run to assure quality packaging consistent with Pilot Project and industry standards

  • Work in conjunction with our logistics crew members to stage products efficiently and in a logical manner for ease of conveyance into retail 

  • Maintain detailed record keeping

  • Package product in kegs across all industry sizes

  • Operate of our KHS Innokeg CombiKeg

  • Proactively perform other varied operational and brewery related tasks as necessary

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Minimum of 2 years of experience on a canning or bottling line. Experience should include beverage or food industry, specifically with fillers, labelers, packers and sealers

  • Mechanical knowledge of proper use of tools and machinery

  • An aptitude for troubleshooting basic mechanical & electrical systems and proactive mechanical maintenance

  • Ability to remain on your feet for the entire shift

  • Punctual to start every day with flexible finishing times

  • Maintain a high standard for quality, attention to detail and cleanliness. 

  • Ability to work under pressure and under deadlines.

  • Comfort with flexible daily working schedules with occasional late nights and weekend work

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

  • Lift 50-60 lbs, must regularly lift and/or move up to 10lbs throughout shift 

  • Climb ladders up to 20 feet. 

  • Operate fork truck for long periods of time. 

  • Safely bend at knees to lift objects and stoop, kneel, and crouch. 

  • Frequently duck under conveyors/equipment. 

  • Climb stairs multiple times during a shift. 

  • Wear required Personal Protective Equipment. 

  • Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus and the ability to see color; either with or without accommodation. 

  • The ability to work in loud, wet, cold, hot, indoor and outdoor environments frequently. 

EXTRAS:

  • Healthcare, Dental, and Vision following 90 days of employment

  • 401(k) following 1 year of employment

  • PTO Package

  • Employee discounts on food, drink and gear

  • Employee only events

  • Competitive wages

  • Awesome working environment where initiative and ownership is rewarded

  • Industry education allowances

Any combination of experience, education, and/or training that can be considered equivalent to the requirements of the position will be reviewed to assess candidacy.