General Manager (Craft Brewery)

Job Title: General Manager (Craft Brewery)

Location: San Antonio, TX

Industry: Craft Beer

Market: San Antonio and the rest of Texas

Channel: Wholesale and Taprooms

Reporting to: Board

Direct Reports: Team to be rebuilt based on 4 core employees

Visa: No sponsorship possible. Must have valid work authorization

Job ID: ZR_9522_JOB

Remote work policy: On-site

Job Seniority: Executive Level

Company size: Small (1-50 ppl)

Company Ownership: Private Equity backed

Industry(ies): Beer, Wines Spirits Beer,

Function(s): General Management (of company or division),

Region(s): San Antonio, NORTH AMERICA, USA, Texas

Company Description

Our client is a private equity family office based in Australia, with a focus on strategic investments in the food and beverage sector. Recently, they have expanded into the United States market, acquiring a brewery to execute a turnaround and growth strategy.

Objective of the Role

The General Manager will play a pivotal role in leading the post-acquisition / post-bankruptcy turnaround of the brewery. This individual will be responsible for establishing operational excellence, financial discipline, and market re-engagement, while fostering a high-performance culture aligned with the organization’s profitability goals. Full P&L ownership; rebuild the organization from a 4-person skeleton crew to a high-performing team.

Ideal Profile

The ideal candidate will possess strong experience in the beverage or alcohol manufacturing sector, demonstrating a proven track record of successful turnarounds and P&L management. They should have a strong background in operational leadership, with an understanding of the unique challenges within regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive 24-month turnaround plan focusing on working capital stabilization, production reliability, margin recovery, and driving growth in taproom and wholesale markets.
• Rebuild and lead core operational functions, including but not limited to Production, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Sales.
• Champion production excellence through effective scheduling, quality control, preventive maintenance, and safety standards.
• Manage financial operations, including cash flow analysis, site-level P&L oversight, pricing strategies, and vendor negotiations.
• Enhance market presence through distributor engagement, strategic account management, community partnerships, and adherence to brand standards.
• Ensure all operations meet compliance requirements for licensing, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Establish a robust operating cadence with KPI dashboards and regular board reporting.

Requirements

• Proven leadership experience in beverage or adjacent manufacturing sectors with direct P&L ownership.
• Demonstrated success in turnaround scenarios, with actionable experience in stabilizing, optimizing, and scaling operations.
• Previous roles as a Brewmaster, COO, or other senior operational position within regulated manufacturing environments.
• Strong financial acumen, adept in cash management, cost control, and data-driven decision-making.
• Experience in team building and leadership during periods of change, with a focus on high standards and accountability.
• Familiarity with safety protocols, quality assurance, and the brewing industry’s regulatory landscape.