Breweries come in all shapes and sizes, but the organizational structure of a brewery is essential to its success. The ideal brewery organizational chart should be designed to allow the brewery to grow and scale as it expands. There are many factors to consider when designing this chart, such as the number of employees, the type of products being produced, and the target market. This article will go over the typical brewery organizational structure and offer an example of a brewery organizational chart for reference.
Typical Structure Across Brewery Departments
Breweries usually have an organizational structure that is typical of most businesses. This includes an owner or a board of directors at the top, followed by executives, management, and staff – all members of the brewery leadership team. These levels can be found in all departments within a brewery business.
Owner(s)
The owners of a brewery are typically the ones who have the final say in all decisions made about the brewery. They may delegate some of their authority to the executives, but they typically have the final say in major decisions.
Executives
The brewery executives are typically responsible for the overall operation of the brewery. They report to the owner(s) and make decisions about the brewery’s finances, marketing, and product development.
Management
The brewery management team is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the brewery. They report to the executives and make decisions about the brewery’s production, quality control, and distribution.
Staff
The brewery staff are the people who work in the brewery. They may be responsible for the brewing process, packaging, shipping, or sales.
Typical Departments Of Breweries
Now that you know the typical structure of a brewery within the craft brewing industry, let’s take a look at the typical departments found in breweries.
Brewing Team
The brewing team is responsible for the production of beer. They may be responsible for all aspects of beer production, from brewing to packaging, as well as quality assurance. Some typical roles and job titles include:
- Head Brewer
- Assistant Brewer
- Lead Brewer
- Brewer’s Assistant
- Quality Manager
Sales Team
The sales team is responsible for selling the brewery’s products to distributors and retailers. They may also be responsible for conducting market research into another regional brewery or craft breweries and developing marketing plans. Some typical roles and job titles include:
- Sales Manager
- Sales Representative
- Marketing Manager
Restaurant/Taproom Staff
If the brewery has a restaurant or taproom, the staff will be responsible for serving the beer and food, as well as providing customer service. Some typical roles and job titles include:
- General Manager
- Assistant Manager
- Server
- Bartender
Human Resources
If the brewery has a human resources department, the staff in that group will be responsible for managing the brewery’s employee records and benefits. They may also be responsible for managing the brewery’s safety program. Some typical roles and job titles include:
- Human Resources Manager
- Safety Manager
- Benefits Administrator
- Employee Relations Specialist
Finance/Accounting
And, finally, the finance and accounting department is responsible for managing the brewery’s finances. They may also be responsible for developing financial reports and budgets. Some typical roles and job titles include:
- Finance Manager
- Accounting Manager
- Financial Analyst
- Budget Analyst
How Organization And Staff Roles Change As Breweries Grow
If you are just starting out, then your business probably won’t need all of these departments and staff positions. As your brewery grows, you will likely add new departments and staff positions as needed.
For example, you may start out as a sole proprietor with a small brewing operation and short business plan. As your brewery grows, you may add an assistant brewer and a sales representative. As you continue to grow, you may decide to form a limited liability corporation (LLC), and add a quality manager, a marketing manager, and additional staff for your restaurant or taproom.
Eventually, you may need to add a human resources department and a finance/accounting department. As your brewery grows, so too will the number and complexity of the decisions you have to make. The organizational structure and updated business plan for your brewery should reflect that growth.
There is no right or wrong way to organize your brewery. The important thing is that you have a clear understanding of your brewery’s organizational structure and how it will change as your brewery grows.
Conclusion
The organizational structure of your brewery should be designed to help you achieve your business goals. If you are not sure where to start, then consider consulting with a business advisor or a professional brewery consultant to assist in writing your brewery business plan.