Matthew Weintraub
Plant Manager at Cerveceria La Tropical- Claim this Profile
Click to upgrade to our gold package
for the full feature experience.
Topline Score
Bio
Experience
-
Cerveceria La Tropical
-
United States
-
Food & Beverages
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Plant Manager
-
Nov 2022 - Present
Miami, Florida, United States During my time as a Plant Manager, I direct all aspects of production process, from raw materials to packaging, to ensure quality, efficiency, and safety. Furthermore, I implement safety protocols, training programs, and audits to create a secure work environment for all team members. I manage brewery supply chain, cultivating strong relationships and overseeing purchasing activities to secure an uninterrupted flow of raw materials and production inputs. I co-ordinate with senior… Show more During my time as a Plant Manager, I direct all aspects of production process, from raw materials to packaging, to ensure quality, efficiency, and safety. Furthermore, I implement safety protocols, training programs, and audits to create a secure work environment for all team members. I manage brewery supply chain, cultivating strong relationships and overseeing purchasing activities to secure an uninterrupted flow of raw materials and production inputs. I co-ordinate with senior management to assist in the development and implementation of a comprehensive business strategy to drive growth and profitability. The following were the highlights of the value that I bring to the organization; • Boosted yields by an impressive 10%, significantly enhancing overall production efficiency. • Maintained an extensive selection of 15 brands within the local taproom, ensuring product availability and rotation. • Spearheaded and executed an innovative project, from concept to consumer trials, within a remarkable 4-month timeframe, showcasing agility and innovation in product development. • Led a project to create a forecasting model that aligned S&OP and drove the production team to less than 5% out of stock metric for the last 2 years.
-
-
Head Brewer & Brewery Operations Manager
-
Oct 2018 - Nov 2022
Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area During my time as a Head Brewer and Brewery Operations Manager, I assisted in design, plan review, and construction of all aspects of Cerveceria La Tropical, ensuring efficient operations and adherence to safety and quality standards. I built business models for La Tropical and Heineken Americas planning meetings, contributing to informed decision-making and strategic alignment. I also supported management of a shared service business model, optimizing resource allocation and… Show more During my time as a Head Brewer and Brewery Operations Manager, I assisted in design, plan review, and construction of all aspects of Cerveceria La Tropical, ensuring efficient operations and adherence to safety and quality standards. I built business models for La Tropical and Heineken Americas planning meetings, contributing to informed decision-making and strategic alignment. I also supported management of a shared service business model, optimizing resource allocation and operational efficiency. I managed all phases of equipment selection, build-out, installation, commissioning, startup, ramp-up, handover, and site acceptance tests, resulting in a successful brewery setup. The following were the highlights of the value that I bring to the organization; • Collaborated with Rolec GMBH to design a plant layout for a 20-hL brewing system, inclusive of Brewhouse, Cellar, CIP, Filtration, Flash Pasteurizer, and Can and Keg line, installed in Miami. • Launched safety programs, including the good catch program, and developed a hurricane preparedness plan to ensure the safety of the brewery's operations. • Led contractual agreements with suppliers, ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement of materials /equipment. • Developed a brand portfolio, including 3 core beers and 12 rotational taproom-only releases, from concept to release in various package types, driving product innovation and customer engagement. • Designed, built, and launched the plant layout, staying within a budget that was under 3% of the initial estimate. • Maintained labor costs under 12% of beer revenue, optimizing cost efficiency in brewery operations.
-
-
-
The Tank Brewing Co
-
United States
-
Food and Beverage Services
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Head Brewer
-
Jun 2014 - Oct 2018
Miami, FL As a Director of Brewing Operations, I led design of brewhouse space, including a 15 bbl brewhouse and 3 bbl pilot system, covering water and glycol plumbing, drainage, electrical layout, equipment placement, and workflow optimization. I also oversaw a team of 7 brewhouse members, overseeing wort production, fermentation, packaging, and quality control activities. I conducted weekly meetings with sales director to discuss sales goals and production targets, ensuring alignment between… Show more As a Director of Brewing Operations, I led design of brewhouse space, including a 15 bbl brewhouse and 3 bbl pilot system, covering water and glycol plumbing, drainage, electrical layout, equipment placement, and workflow optimization. I also oversaw a team of 7 brewhouse members, overseeing wort production, fermentation, packaging, and quality control activities. I conducted weekly meetings with sales director to discuss sales goals and production targets, ensuring alignment between production and customer demand. The following were the highlights of the value that I bring to the organization; • Planned and delivered chemical and physical safety training for staff members, maintaining a safe work environment and compliance with safety regulations. • Designed and implemented standard operating procedures (SOPs) for various brewery processes, including wort production, cellar activities, sanitation, lab work, packaging operations, and quality control analysis. • Implemented a robust HACCP system, enhancing product safety and quality control. • Achieved over 20% in production savings by increasing brewhouse efficiencies and minimizing raw ingredient costs, enhancing profitability. • Awarded Gold Medal in Saison category at the World Beer Cup, underscoring excellence in brewing craftsmanship. Show less
-
-
-
FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
-
United States
-
Higher Education
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Instructor
-
Aug 2012 - Dec 2016
During my time as a Beer Academy Instructor, I developed and continuously updated a comprehensive curriculum for the Beer Academy, encompassing various aspects of brewing, beer styles, sensory analysis, and brewing technology. I delivered training sessions on sensory analysis and quality control, ensuring that students developed a keen palate and the ability to maintain beer quality. The following were the highlights of the value that I bring to the organization; • Conducted engaging… Show more During my time as a Beer Academy Instructor, I developed and continuously updated a comprehensive curriculum for the Beer Academy, encompassing various aspects of brewing, beer styles, sensory analysis, and brewing technology. I delivered training sessions on sensory analysis and quality control, ensuring that students developed a keen palate and the ability to maintain beer quality. The following were the highlights of the value that I bring to the organization; • Conducted engaging and informative classes, workshops, and lectures to students, covering topics such as brewing fundamentals, beer production, quality control, and tasting techniques. • Shared industry insights, trends, and real-world experiences with students, offering a practical perspective on the brewing and craft beer industry.
-
-
Research Assistant for Brewing Sciences Lab
-
Aug 2011 - Dec 2012
Chaplin School of Hospitality
-
-
-
-
Brewery Consultant
-
Aug 2013 - Jun 2014
I started my career at Miami Brewing Company as a Brewery Consultant, I provided expert guidance and consulting services to Owner and Head Brewer, leading restructuring of brewhouse layout and production workflow to optimize efficiency/productivity. I also evaluated existing brewing processes, identified areas for improvement, and recommended strategies for enhanced operational efficiency. I assisted in the development and implementation of quality control measures to ensure consistent… Show more I started my career at Miami Brewing Company as a Brewery Consultant, I provided expert guidance and consulting services to Owner and Head Brewer, leading restructuring of brewhouse layout and production workflow to optimize efficiency/productivity. I also evaluated existing brewing processes, identified areas for improvement, and recommended strategies for enhanced operational efficiency. I assisted in the development and implementation of quality control measures to ensure consistent product quality across all brews. The following were the highlights of the value that I bring to the organization; • Collaborated with the brewing team to reformulate recipes, resulting in lower production costs and an extended shelf life for all beer formats, ensuring cost-effectiveness and product quality. • Initiated canning operations, increasing production output by 100% while maintaining high-quality standards. • Re-formulated recipes to enhance flavor profiles, while also exceeding a 20% reduction in the cost of goods sold (COGS), significantly improving cost-effectiveness. Show less
-
-
Education
-
Siebel Institute of Technology
Brewing Technology -
Florida International University
Bachelor's degree, Hospitality Administration/Management -
Broward Community College
Associate of Arts (AA), Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration