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Smooth Ambler is looking for a new lead distiller. We are located in Lewisburg, WV.
The right candidate doesn't need to have distilling experience but needs to have a good understanding of fermentation, production practices, and experience in the industry. Our staff, along with Larry Ebersold, a distillation consultant and former Master Distiller of Seagram's, will train the right person.
This is a great opportunity with a wonderful company that has experienced rapid growth and excellent praise in our industry.
Job Purpose
The Distiller’s job is to create the spirits of Smooth Ambler and ensure it is efficient, creative, consistently excellent, safe and legally compliant.
Duties and Responsibilities
Efficiency
● Develop distillery processes to maximize use of resources.
● Develop and oversee processes for charging and running the still, making cuts, barreling, bottling, and labelling.
● Develop and oversee processes for cooking, mashing, and fermentation as needed.
● Use lab analytic equipment such as alcohol density meters, hydrometers, and other tools to ensure product meets specifications.
● Ensure equipment is clean and maintained in proper working order.
Creative
● Develop main portfolio with oversight from management team.
● Provide management team with ideas on future products, including producing samples and managing research and development.
● Develop seasonal and ‘one-off’ products.
Consistent
● Ensure approved processes are followed.
● Ensure high consistent quality from suppliers of materials and ingredients used in distilling products.
● Ensure all products meet company standards and flavor profile.
● Ensure all spirits meet internal and external compliance requirements including ensuring the correct proof and the correct spirits are used in each batch.
Excellent
● Ensure quality control in all aspects of production and processing.
● Develop and maintain a safe work environment, meeting all legal requirements.
Safety
● Ensure all distillery equipment is maintained and is safe to operate.
● Ensure the operation of all distillery equipment is done in a safe and approved manor including the safe operation of the boiler, still, condenser and grain milling equipment as needed.
● Ensure the distillery work spaces are free of debris, trip hazards, flammable liquids, and dust.
● Ensure that other distillery employees are operating in a safe and approved manor.
● Be CPR certified and have a complete understand of fire prevention tools and fire response processes.
Legally Compliant
● Create processes for compliance (all aspects related to production, bottling, bond, and shipping).
● Execute compliance processes until additional compliance resources are available.
● Maintain daily reports, daily records, and any reports/records needed to comply with TTB requirements.
● Produce monthly production, storage, and processing operations reports
Direct reports
● When applicable, all Distiller’s Assistants and or bottling support staff will report directly to the Distiller.
● Distiller will report to the Head Distiller, if applicable, or to the Chief Executive Manager.
Required Skills
● Strong computer skills including proven experience with spreadsheet and word processing applications
● Proven team leadership experiences
● Comfort and confidence with regular data entry into multiple different platforms including online portals, local files, mobile tablets, email, and other digital applications
● Forklift experience or forklift certification.
● Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
Preferred Skills
● 3+ years in the alcohol beverage industry. Distilled Spirits experience a plus.
● Ability to taste and identify different types of spirits with the ability to make “heads and tails” cuts during the distillation process.
● Fermentation and mashing experience with an understanding of yeast and starch conversion to alcohol.
● Experience with barrel handling
● Experience with grain milling or grain handling.
If you meet these requirements, can perform the duties and responsibilities, and want to join our team, please send a letter of interest and your resume to: sales@smoothambler.com.
The right candidate doesn't need to have distilling experience but needs to have a good understanding of fermentation, production practices, and experience in the industry. Our staff, along with Larry Ebersold, a distillation consultant and former Master Distiller of Seagram's, will train the right person.
This is a great opportunity with a wonderful company that has experienced rapid growth and excellent praise in our industry.
Job Purpose
The Distiller’s job is to create the spirits of Smooth Ambler and ensure it is efficient, creative, consistently excellent, safe and legally compliant.
Duties and Responsibilities
Efficiency
● Develop distillery processes to maximize use of resources.
● Develop and oversee processes for charging and running the still, making cuts, barreling, bottling, and labelling.
● Develop and oversee processes for cooking, mashing, and fermentation as needed.
● Use lab analytic equipment such as alcohol density meters, hydrometers, and other tools to ensure product meets specifications.
● Ensure equipment is clean and maintained in proper working order.
Creative
● Develop main portfolio with oversight from management team.
● Provide management team with ideas on future products, including producing samples and managing research and development.
● Develop seasonal and ‘one-off’ products.
Consistent
● Ensure approved processes are followed.
● Ensure high consistent quality from suppliers of materials and ingredients used in distilling products.
● Ensure all products meet company standards and flavor profile.
● Ensure all spirits meet internal and external compliance requirements including ensuring the correct proof and the correct spirits are used in each batch.
Excellent
● Ensure quality control in all aspects of production and processing.
● Develop and maintain a safe work environment, meeting all legal requirements.
Safety
● Ensure all distillery equipment is maintained and is safe to operate.
● Ensure the operation of all distillery equipment is done in a safe and approved manor including the safe operation of the boiler, still, condenser and grain milling equipment as needed.
● Ensure the distillery work spaces are free of debris, trip hazards, flammable liquids, and dust.
● Ensure that other distillery employees are operating in a safe and approved manor.
● Be CPR certified and have a complete understand of fire prevention tools and fire response processes.
Legally Compliant
● Create processes for compliance (all aspects related to production, bottling, bond, and shipping).
● Execute compliance processes until additional compliance resources are available.
● Maintain daily reports, daily records, and any reports/records needed to comply with TTB requirements.
● Produce monthly production, storage, and processing operations reports
Direct reports
● When applicable, all Distiller’s Assistants and or bottling support staff will report directly to the Distiller.
● Distiller will report to the Head Distiller, if applicable, or to the Chief Executive Manager.
Required Skills
● Strong computer skills including proven experience with spreadsheet and word processing applications
● Proven team leadership experiences
● Comfort and confidence with regular data entry into multiple different platforms including online portals, local files, mobile tablets, email, and other digital applications
● Forklift experience or forklift certification.
● Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
Preferred Skills
● 3+ years in the alcohol beverage industry. Distilled Spirits experience a plus.
● Ability to taste and identify different types of spirits with the ability to make “heads and tails” cuts during the distillation process.
● Fermentation and mashing experience with an understanding of yeast and starch conversion to alcohol.
● Experience with barrel handling
● Experience with grain milling or grain handling.
If you meet these requirements, can perform the duties and responsibilities, and want to join our team, please send a letter of interest and your resume to: sales@smoothambler.com.