JOB SUMMARY:
The Malt House Operator is responsible for overseeing the malting process, including steeping, germination, and kilning of grains (typically barley), to produce malt that meets quality and production specifications. This role ensures safe, efficient operations while maintaining strict adherence to food safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:
Malting Process Operations
- Operate and monitor malting equipment used in steeping, germination, and kilning processes
- Control critical process parameters such as temperature, moisture, airflow, and germination time
- Execute process adjustments to achieve target malt characteristics (e.g., enzyme activity, color, moisture content)
- Start up, shut down, and clean malting systems in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Grain Handling & Material Flow
- Coordinate movement of raw grain into steep tanks and transfer malt through germination and kilning stages
- Ensure proper handling, storage, and rotation of raw materials and finished malt (FIFO/FEFO)
- Maintain accurate lot tracking and traceability throughout the process
Quality Control
- Collect and evaluate samples throughout the malting process
- Monitor product quality attributes such as moisture, germination rate, modification levels, and color
- Identify and troubleshoot quality deviations, taking corrective actions as needed
- Collaborate with quality/lab teams to ensure adherence to specifications
Equipment Operation & Maintenance
- Perform routine inspections and preventative maintenance on malting equipment
- Clean and sanitize steep tanks, germination vessels, kilns, and associated equipment
- Identify equipment issues and work with maintenance teams to resolve them
- Follow lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures when servicing equipment
Safety & Compliance
- Adhere to all safety guidelines, including confined space entry and combustible dust controls
- Maintain proper housekeeping to minimize dust, mold, and contamination risks
- Use required personal protective equipment (PPE)
Documentation & Reporting
- Record operational data, including batch records, process conditions, and production output
- Maintain logs for quality checks, equipment inspections, and maintenance activities
- Report safety incidents, process issues, or quality concerns promptly
Other
- Adhere to all government and company safety, sanitation and GMP policies and regulations. Adhere to Food Safety, Quality and SQF Codes
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor
REQUIREMENTS:
- Basic mechanical aptitude and understanding of processing equipment.
- Ability to read and follow technical instructions, SOPs, and safety guidelines.
- Knowledge of food safety systems (GMP, HACCP) preferred
- Familiarity with automated or PLC-controlled systems.
