Brewer

Brewers may do some or all of the following:

• Select and check the type of malted barley or grain needed to make a brand of beer
• Add hops, yeast, hot or cold water and other ingredients at the correct times
• Operate computerised machinery that controls the brewing process
• Monitor the temperature, acidity, fermentation and colour of beer throughout the brewing process
• Sterilise and maintain brewing equipment
• Package beer and deliver it locally
• Monitor the costs of production, do stock counts, and order ingredients
• Manage a team of brewery workers

Opportunities for production managers are growing because:

• Manufacturing is expanding, with the largest sectors – food products, fabricated metal and machinery – continuing to provide the largest number of opportunities for production managers
• High-tech companies, such as Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, are growing and require skilled production manager
• Many manufacturing companies – especially bigger high-tech companies – prefer to employ production managers who have experience in a trade, such as mechanical engineering, or who have a degree. 

You can increase your chances by having:

• A good attitude to work
• Good communication and people skills, including being a good team player
• Good literacy and numeracy skills
• An ability to do shift work
• Some trades skills
• An interest in management 

It is also useful to gain:

• Management qualifications
• Diverse experience in the manufacturing process, as production management requires an overview of the production process 

Most manufacturing companies have a production manager. In small companies, which are often privately owned, the job may be combined with another role such as team administrator.

This information is a guide only. Last updated 13 November 2023.