Production Manager – Golden Rule Spirits

About Golden Rule Spirits

Golden Rule Spirits is a Bay Area-based craft spirits company producing ready-to-drink canned cocktails. We own and operate our own small canning line, and we're growing. We currently offer eight different cocktails from Margaritas and Palomas, to Old Fashioneds and Espresso Martini's. We're growing and for us that means I need to spend more time in the market supporting sales activities.

With that said, we're now investing in an upgraded production line and more efficient operations, and we're looking for a hands-on production lead to grow with us.

The Role

We're hiring a Production Manager to run, maintain, and improve our canned cocktail production, from raw materials to finished, palletized product. Reporting to one of our founders, you'll own day-to-day production execution, equipment upkeep, inventory, and quality, so our founders can spend more time in the market growing the brand.

This is a hands-on role with a management trajectory. Canning won't happen every day at first. The goal is for you to understand and be comfortable with every part of our operation now, so that as volume grows you can lead it without a learning curve. You'll also play a central part in selecting, installing, and commissioning our upgraded canning line.

• Title: Production Manager, Canning & Operations
• Reports to: Co-Founder, Golden Rule Spirits
• Location: On-site at Ventura Spirits Co., Ventura, CA
• Type: Full Time

A Unique Working Arrangement

You'll be employed by Golden Rule Spirits but work on-site every day at Ventura Spirits Co. in Ventura, where our production line operates. Our founders are based in the Bay Area, so please read this section carefully.

• Two teams, one floor. You'll work side by side with the Ventura Spirits team, sharing space, equipment, schedules, and sometimes labor. Being a respectful, low-ego, genuinely good teammate to them is as important as your technical skills. Ventura Spirits team members will be part of the interview process.
• Founder partnership. You'll work closely with a Golden Rule founder: remotely day to day, and in person during production runs, line upgrades, and planning visits.
• Self-directed days. Canning days are scheduled around demand. On non-canning days you'll handle maintenance, inventory, cleaning, supplier coordination, process documentation, and upgrade planning.
• You're our eyes and ears. With leadership off-site, clear and proactive communication is essential. No surprises.

Key Responsibilities

Production & Canning Operations

• Plan, set up, run, and break down canning runs: batching, carbonation (if applicable), filling, seaming, date coding, labeling or sleeving, casing, and palletizing.
• Execute the production schedule set with the founders; forecast labor, materials, and line time for each run.
• Lead temporary or shared crew on production days, including training, task assignments, and safe work practices.
• Keep accurate batch records, run logs, yields, and downtime notes for every run.
• Maintain a clean, organized, food-safe production area, and run CIP and sanitation procedures.

Equipment, Maintenance & Line Upgrades

• Serve as the primary operator and mechanic for our canning line, from filler and seamer to conveyors, coders, and supporting equipment.
• Build and follow a preventive maintenance schedule, and troubleshoot mechanical, pneumatic, and basic electrical issues.
• Perform and document seamer adjustments and double-seam checks; keep a stock of critical spare parts.
• Help evaluate, spec, and select upgraded equipment, and manage installation, commissioning, and operator training.
• Build relationships with equipment vendors and outside technicians for service and support.

Inventory & Supply Chain

• Own inventory of raw materials and packaging: spirits, juices and ingredients, cans, lids, cartons etc...
• Run regular cycle counts and keep inventory records accurate
• Work with the founder on purchasing, reorder points, and supplier lead times so production is never delayed by shortages.
• Receive and inspect inbound deliveries; coordinate finished-goods storage and outbound shipments to distributors.
• Track costs of goods, material usage, and waste, and flag variances.

Quality & Compliance

• Maintain and improve quality control: ABV, fill levels, seam integrity, taste, and packaging appearance.
• Keep batch samples, lot traceability, and QC records to support recalls and audits.
• Support TTB and state compliance, including production and inventory records and label-to-product consistency.
• Uphold food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards (OSHA, allergen and chemical handling, lockout/tagout).
• Investigate quality issues

Process Improvement & Scaling

• Write and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for every recurring task, so the operation can be taught to new hires.
• Identify bottlenecks and recommend improvements to layout, workflow, equipment, and staffing.
• Help plan capacity as volume grows, including when to add shifts, people, or equipment.

Communication & Reporting

• Send / communicate regular updates: production completed, inventory status, upcoming needs, issues, and wins.
• Coordinate schedules, shared space, and shared resources with the Ventura Spirits team.
• Raise problems early and bring proposed solutions, not just questions.

What Success Looks Like

• First 90 days: You can run a full canning day independently, from setup to cleanup. You know every piece of equipment and have a preventive maintenance schedule in place. Inventory counts are accurate, and you've built a strong working relationship with the Ventura Spirits team.
• By 6 months: Core SOPs are written and in use. You own purchasing forecasts with the founder, and QC records are consistent for every batch. You're actively shaping the line-upgrade plan.
• By 12 months: The upgraded line is installed and running, and output per hour and cost per case have measurably improved. You're ready to hire, train, and lead additional production staff as we scale.

Qualifications

Required

• 4+ years of hands-on experience in beverage, food, or consumer-goods manufacturing (brewery, winery, distillery, cidery, co-packer, or similar).
• Strong mechanical aptitude: comfortable diagnosing and repairing production equipment with hand and power tools.
• Experience managing inventory, including counts, reorder planning, and record-keeping.
• Clear, reliable written and verbal communication, including remote updates to leadership.
• Strong organization and attention to detail; comfortable with spreadsheets and basic software.
• Commitment to sanitation, food safety, and workplace safety.
• Valid driver's license; must be 21 or older.

Preferred

• Direct experience with canning lines, including filler and seamer operation, seam checks, and changeovers.
• Experience installing, commissioning, or upgrading production equipment.
• Supervisory or crew-lead experience.
• Forklift certification (or willingness to obtain), and pneumatic, electrical, or PLC troubleshooting skills.
• Experience with inventory or production software

Who You Are

• Easygoing, respectful, and collaborative, and you'll fit naturally into the Ventura Spirits team's culture while representing Golden Rule.
• You're self-motivated and manage your own time well without a manager on-site, and you find productive work on non-canning days.
• A tinkerer and problem-solver. When a machine jams, you want to understand why and keep it from happening again.
• You take pride in quality.
• A clear communicator that keeps people informed but also isn't afraid to ask questions.
• You're excited to build systems now and grow into leading a larger operation.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs repeatedly, and to stand, bend, and climb for extended periods.
• Work in a production environment with noise, wet floors, moving machinery, and temperature variation.
• Safe handling of cleaning chemicals, high-proof spirits, with the required PPE.
• Flexibility for occasional early starts, long run days, or weekend work around production schedules.

Compensation:

Compensation: 75-90K DOE

Benefits: Health coverage, paid time off, product allowance, growth opportunities, etc.