Why This Needs to Happen to Build a Strong Production Team

Keying in on a good definition of needed responsibilities for each member of your brewery production team is an important aspect of being a successful manager.

Making sure there are clear and precise role definitions can help each team member understand their duties and it can lead to building a streamlined and efficient production process.

Depending on the size of a brewery, roles can range in terms of specialization and specificity, points out Lawson’s Finest Liquids‘ Kelly Putnam.

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“It’s essential to be clear from the outset about expectations for a role, including a clear summary of responsibilities, essential job requirements, any potential growth paths and also highlighting the skills needed to maintain a safe workplace — such as the ability to lift 55-plus pounds, for some,” Putnam said. “Being proactive and explicit from the beginning can help eliminate any miscommunication, streamline onboarding, and increase employee engagement and retention in the long run.”

Clearly defined roles can also help improve training and onboarding processes. When new employees know exactly what their job entails, training can be more focused and effective.

From a hiring perspective, well-defined responsibilities also can attract the right candidates. Clear job descriptions help potential hires assess whether they are a good fit for the position, which can reduce turnover rates and ensure a better match between who applies and the job they are tasked with.

“Before effective management can begin, there must be a clear set of expectations and responsibilities for your team members,” said Sonder Brewing’s Adam Mills. “As business owners/managers, we do our part when we lay out the salary and benefits our employees receive. That is fulfilling our end of the management/team member contract.

“In return, management needs to establish clear and actionable expectations for our staff members.”

Managers though, Mills said, must thoroughly express the responsibilities of the employee to the company.

“When effective job descriptions are written and the employee’s performance periodically evaluated against that standard, you can create an effective basis for showing team members how they can grow in the company,” he said.