Experimental Brewery Technician

AB InBev is seeking a Global Experimental Brewery (RPB) Technicianfor their Global Innovation & Technology Center (=GITEC), in Belgium.

GITEC is AB InBev’s Global Research & Development Center, located in its own secure facility at AB InBev’s Global Headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. A diverse team of more than 120 scientists and specialists, pulling from more than 20 nationalities, work diligently to achieve GITEC’s Dream: shaping the future together. Of course, the intense R&D work in Belgium is only part of the story. GITEC’s employees collaborate with multiple partners across the globe to tap relevant expertise and help AB InBev deliver and develop new raw and packaging materials, develop and brew innovative products, and deliver them to the consumer in sharply designed packaging formats.

We dream big. We look to the future, not to the past. We hire people that can be better than ourselves.

The opportunity is here. Make it yours!

Purpose of the job

Perform and support trials within the framework of global strategic and exploratory product and process development projects, in order to produce high-quality prototypes for internal and external evaluations and small-scale market trials.

Accountabilities

• Understand the objectives of the trial requests, product specifications and process procedures.
• Prepare and execute operational trials with a strong focus on packaging (in various types of bottles/cans), blending, filtration, saturation and CIP operations, according the established ABI procedures.

• Create datasheets and make the necessary calculations for the various operations in order to meet the final product requirements
• Perform the corresponding analyses to assess the various quality parameters and monitor/report all data and observations made during the trials.
• Apply good industrial practices & brewery standards to ensure the right quality in execution and reporting, and to guarantee reliability of results.
• Attend kick-off meetings with project leaders to understand all project details and to raise any concerns and relevant items before starting the trials.
• Identify and address potential risks that may affect reaching the project objectives, timelines and specifications.

• Verify that the raw materials and packaging materials for trials are available in the right quantities and with the required traceability/safety information.
• Suggest improvements to optimize e.g. safety, quality, efficiency aspects in the RPB and support implementing these where possible.
• Ensure that the used equipment is functional and safe in use. Timely flag any equipment defects or malfunctioning.
• Ensure equipment and process standard operating procedures (SOPs) are up to date.
• Assist in equipment testing, validation and troubleshooting when needed.

• Assist in creating test and validation plans when needed.
• Help guarding and improving the cleanliness and order in the RPB.
• Help guarding and improving the safety and quality in the RPB.
• Play a supportive role in the management programs of ABI to secure a good way of working in the RPB.
• Contact 3rd parties, like e.g. suppliers for equipment maintenance, material info or part deliveries.

Profile

Education

• Professional Bachelor degree in relevant applied science or engineering.

Experience

• Previous professional experience in a brewery and in packaging operations is desirable.

Competencies

• Capability to independently organize, execute and report trials.
• Result-oriented with respect for safety, quality and timing; attention to detail.
• Problem-solving and continuous learning mindset.
• Pro-active attitude, putting forward proposals to further optimize the way of working.
• Ability to interpret/analyze test results and provide clear feedback to the requestors.

• Ability to integrate and generate internal/external best practices to improve processes/tools/ services/ways of working.
• Team player with good interpersonal skills and flexibility to adapt to a fast-changing environment.
• Open and honest way of communicating; good oral and written communication skills.
• Fluency in English; other language skills are an additional asset.
• Advanced computer skills; knowledge of standard software programs (Word, Excel, ...).