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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Kombucha Technician Intern

💰 Competitive Hourly Rate

InternshipFood & BeverageManufacturingProductionBiotechnologyFermentation Science

🎯 Role Definition

Are you fascinated by the alchemy of fermentation and passionate about creating delicious, healthy beverages? We are searching for a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and enthusiastic Kombucha Technician Intern to join our innovative production team. In this hands-on role, you will be immersed in every stage of the kombucha-making process, from brewing the initial sweet tea to the final packaging of our effervescent product. This is a unique opportunity to learn directly from experienced brewers, contribute to a beloved brand, and gain a comprehensive understanding of commercial craft beverage production, quality assurance, and food safety protocols. If you're a proactive learner with a strong work ethic and a love for all things fermented, we want to meet you!

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Current University Student (Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry)
  • Recent Graduate of a Fermentation Science Program
  • Passionate Homebrewer or Fermentation Hobbyist

Advancement To:

  • Kombucha Brewer / Fermentation Technician
  • Quality Control / Quality Assurance Technician
  • Cellar Person or Cellar Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • R&D Lab Technician
  • Packaging Operator / Supervisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Execute day-to-day production tasks, including brewing, fermentation management, and harvesting, in strict accordance with established recipes and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Perform meticulous and consistent monitoring of all active fermentation batches, recording key data points such as pH, temperature, Brix (sugar content), and titratable acidity.
  • Conduct daily sensory analysis (organoleptic testing) of kombucha at various stages to assess flavor profile, aroma, and overall quality, providing detailed feedback.
  • Operate, monitor, and maintain a variety of production equipment, including brewhouses, fermentation tanks, brite tanks, pumps, filters, and plate heat exchangers.
  • Carry out rigorous cleaning and sanitation protocols for all tanks, hoses, and processing equipment, primarily through Clean-In-Place (CIP) and Sanitize-In-Place (SIP) systems.
  • Assist in the preparation and management of SCOBYs (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast), ensuring the health and consistency of our mother cultures.
  • Precisely weigh, measure, and blend ingredients for the flavoring and post-fermentation stages to ensure product consistency and adherence to quality standards.
  • Support the carbonation process, monitoring tank pressures and performing checks to achieve target CO2 volumes in the finished product.
  • Aseptically collect and prepare product samples at various production points for microbiological and chemical analysis by the Quality Assurance lab.
  • Maintain comprehensive and accurate digital and written records for all production activities, including brew logs, fermentation tracking, and sanitation checklists.
    s- Manage the inventory and rotation of raw materials, such as teas, sugars, flavorings, and cultures, communicating needs to the supply chain team.
  • Assist with the operation of packaging machinery, including kegging, canning, or bottling lines, ensuring correct fill levels, seams, and date coding.
  • Uphold and champion all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety regulations, and workplace safety (OSHA) standards within the facility.
  • Perform routine preventative maintenance on equipment and troubleshoot minor mechanical issues to minimize downtime and ensure operational efficiency.
  • Participate in the Research & Development process by assisting senior brewers with pilot batches, new flavor experiments, and process optimization trials.
  • Conduct regular gravity, pH, and alcohol by volume (ABV) measurements using laboratory equipment to track fermentation progress and ensure compliance.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe production environment at all times, including performing daily housekeeping duties in the cellar and brewhouse.
  • Assist with the receiving, inspection, and proper storage of all incoming raw materials and packaging components.
    s- Contribute to our culture of continuous improvement by proactively identifying inefficiencies and suggesting enhancements to production processes or SOPs.
  • Support the packaging and warehouse teams by labeling, boxing, and palletizing finished goods for distribution, ensuring accurate order fulfillment.
  • Actively manage the finished goods inventory in cold storage, following First-In, First-Out (FIFO) principles to maintain product freshness.
  • Engage in educational opportunities provided by the company to deepen your understanding of fermentation science, brewing technology, and quality control.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc R&D trials for new flavor development and seasonal offerings.
  • Contribute to the documentation and refinement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Collaborate with the Quality Assurance team to analyze data and identify trends in fermentation performance.
  • Participate in company-wide sensory panels to provide critical feedback on new and existing products.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Foundational knowledge of fermentation science, microbiology, and basic chemistry.
  • Ability to accurately measure and record critical data points (pH, temperature, Brix, volume).
  • Strong mathematical skills for recipe scaling and production calculations.
  • Mechanical aptitude for operating pumps, valves, clamps, and other production equipment.
  • Understanding of food safety principles, including GMPs and HACCP.
  • Experience with rigorous cleaning and sanitation procedures (CIP/SIP knowledge is a major plus).
  • Proficiency in maintaining detailed logs and records, with experience in Google Sheets or MS Excel.
  • Ability to follow complex multi-step instructions and SOPs with precision.
  • Basic laboratory skills, such as sample collection and preparation.
  • Physical ability to lift and move objects up to 55 lbs and work on your feet for extended periods.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to quality and consistency.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically under pressure.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • A collaborative, team-oriented mindset and a positive, can-do attitude.
  • Superb time management and organizational skills to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
  • Eagerness to learn, take direction, and accept constructive feedback.
  • Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently when required.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent.
  • Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of a 2-year or 4-year degree program.

Preferred Education:

  • Actively pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Food Science
  • Fermentation Science
  • Microbiology / Biology
  • Chemistry / Biochemistry
  • Brewing & Distilling

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0-1 years. This is an entry-level internship; passion and a strong desire to learn are paramount.

Preferred:

  • Previous experience in a commercial kitchen, brewery, winery, or food manufacturing environment.
  • Personal homebrewing or food fermentation experience (kombucha, beer, kefir, kimchi, etc.).
  • Prior work in a role that required strict adherence to sanitation and safety protocols.
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