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Position: Head Distiller
The Head Distiller is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of spirits production from raw ingredient to finished product, all the while maintaining the highest standards of quality control. They will manage forecasting, procurement of raw materials, production scheduling, equipment maintenance, and compliance and reporting. The Head Distiller will also manage production staff and represent the company both internally and externally.
Production and Management Duties:
• Mash/Wash Production- Maintaining a consistent formula with careful documentation and implementing changes with controllable methods
• Fermentation- Monitoring fermentations and measuring productivity
• Distillation- Careful monitoring and execution of all aspects of distillation, tasting of spirits for quality analysis, and making appropriate cuts based on data, appearance, smell, and taste
• Proofing- Carefully calculating proof process for record keeping, bottling, and barreling with close attention to detail
• Barreling- Preparing barrels for filling, filling barrels, labeling to TTB standards, and storing appropriately
• Blending- Careful measuring and blending of spirits to maintain product specifications
• Bottling- Setting up, controlling fill level, monitoring waste, supervising and managing of volunteers and contract staff
• Record Keeping- Carefully documenting all duties listed above, maintaining weekly inventories of all packaged and raw materials, managing TTB reporting
• Cleaning and Sanitizing- Maintaining all equipment to the highest level of cleanliness, keeping open areas and storage room clean and orderly with logical storage methods
• Maintenance- Monitoring and checking all equipment on a regular basis to maintain a safe and efficient work environment
• Purchasing- Purchasing raw materials, tracking orders, monitoring inventory for re-order
• Cost Management- Fine tuning processes and supply lines to increase profitability and efficiency without sacrificing quality
• Forecasting/Planning/Inventory Management
Knowledge and Skills:
• Exceptional analytical and problem solving skills
• A background in chemistry and/or math
• The ability to work well independently as well as lead a team
• An understanding of Quality Control
• Good communication skills both oral and written
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Knowledge of good manufacturing practices
• Microsoft Office Skills, particularly Excel
Minimum Experience Required:
• Minimum of three (3) years experience in a commercial distillery, brewery, or similar beverage production facility
• A formal distilling education or professional experience is considered above all else
Physical Demands:
• Frequently stand for the duration of the shift. This position requires the ability to routinely and repeatedly lift up to 55 pounds and maneuver up to 170 pounds.
• Use their hands to perform fine manipulation, handle or feel, and must be able to reach with hands and arms
• Identify product deficiencies (color, smell, taste). This requires having close distance, color and peripheral vision as well as depth perception and the ability to adjust focus
• This position requires proper and safe handling of hazardous materials and operation of complex moving machinery
Work Environment:
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is periodically exposed to a wet environment in high and low temperature ranges
Salary is commensurate with experience. Please send resumes and cover letters to jobs@highwiredistilling.com.
The Head Distiller is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of spirits production from raw ingredient to finished product, all the while maintaining the highest standards of quality control. They will manage forecasting, procurement of raw materials, production scheduling, equipment maintenance, and compliance and reporting. The Head Distiller will also manage production staff and represent the company both internally and externally.
Production and Management Duties:
• Mash/Wash Production- Maintaining a consistent formula with careful documentation and implementing changes with controllable methods
• Fermentation- Monitoring fermentations and measuring productivity
• Distillation- Careful monitoring and execution of all aspects of distillation, tasting of spirits for quality analysis, and making appropriate cuts based on data, appearance, smell, and taste
• Proofing- Carefully calculating proof process for record keeping, bottling, and barreling with close attention to detail
• Barreling- Preparing barrels for filling, filling barrels, labeling to TTB standards, and storing appropriately
• Blending- Careful measuring and blending of spirits to maintain product specifications
• Bottling- Setting up, controlling fill level, monitoring waste, supervising and managing of volunteers and contract staff
• Record Keeping- Carefully documenting all duties listed above, maintaining weekly inventories of all packaged and raw materials, managing TTB reporting
• Cleaning and Sanitizing- Maintaining all equipment to the highest level of cleanliness, keeping open areas and storage room clean and orderly with logical storage methods
• Maintenance- Monitoring and checking all equipment on a regular basis to maintain a safe and efficient work environment
• Purchasing- Purchasing raw materials, tracking orders, monitoring inventory for re-order
• Cost Management- Fine tuning processes and supply lines to increase profitability and efficiency without sacrificing quality
• Forecasting/Planning/Inventory Management
Knowledge and Skills:
• Exceptional analytical and problem solving skills
• A background in chemistry and/or math
• The ability to work well independently as well as lead a team
• An understanding of Quality Control
• Good communication skills both oral and written
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Knowledge of good manufacturing practices
• Microsoft Office Skills, particularly Excel
Minimum Experience Required:
• Minimum of three (3) years experience in a commercial distillery, brewery, or similar beverage production facility
• A formal distilling education or professional experience is considered above all else
Physical Demands:
• Frequently stand for the duration of the shift. This position requires the ability to routinely and repeatedly lift up to 55 pounds and maneuver up to 170 pounds.
• Use their hands to perform fine manipulation, handle or feel, and must be able to reach with hands and arms
• Identify product deficiencies (color, smell, taste). This requires having close distance, color and peripheral vision as well as depth perception and the ability to adjust focus
• This position requires proper and safe handling of hazardous materials and operation of complex moving machinery
Work Environment:
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is periodically exposed to a wet environment in high and low temperature ranges
Salary is commensurate with experience. Please send resumes and cover letters to jobs@highwiredistilling.com.