We are seeking a Distiller to join our team.
Title: Distiller
Salary: £ Competitive
Reporting to: Company Directors and Distillery Manager.
Location: Crossgar, County Down, Northern Ireland
We are seeking to recruit a Distiller, this is a hands on role, where you will deliver the day to day operations of the distillery covering all aspects of the Spirits production from procuring and selecting raw materials, research and development of new products to overseeing and implementing best practice across new and existing plant and product processes.
Key Responsibilities
• lead with the planning and delivery of the day-to-day operations of all aspects of the distillery, maturation warehouses and bottling hall.
• Operation and maintenance of Pot Stills and Pot-column Stills for the distillation of new make spirit, gin and other spirits as required.
• Operation and maintenance of the brewing plant to produce wort to the required specification.
• Monitoring and control of fermentations to ensure the required wash parameters are achieved.
• Operation of CIP systems to ensure all plant meets the required cleanliness and hygiene standards.
• Preparation of New Make Spirit for casking.
• Filling of Casks with New Make Spirit.
• Racking and handling of casks in the cask warehouses.
• Removal and disgorging of casks from the cask warehouses.
• Blending of mature spirit to the required product recipe.
• Set up, operation and maintenance of the bottling hall plant to ensure that all spirits are bottled, labelled and packaged in accordance with the required specifications.
• Assist, and lead when required, with the implementation and maintenance of the companies Quality and Food Safety Management Systems.
• Operation of MRPII software for the completion of manufacturing operations. Note this role will require the creation of new products, BOM’s and their maintenance on the MRPII system.
• Manage Health and Safety and ensure all production areas are well maintained to the highest hygienic standard.
• Maintain accurate production and quality records.
• Co-ordination of production activities with Process Operators to ensure adherence with the company’s production schedule.
• Development and maintenance of risk assessments, work instructions, quality assurance procedures and company policies for the full breadth of the company’s production operations.
• Inspection and quality assessment of the companies spirits products.
• Conduct first line maintenance of plant and machinery to ensure smooth operation of production equipment and ensuring all instrumentation is calibrated and serviceable.
• Raising of Purchase Order requirements for materials and services as required with the Finance team.
• Receipt and documentation of goods received and dispatched.
• Preparation and submission of all movements under the HMRC Excise Management and Control System (EMCS).General housekeeping ensuring all areas meet the necessary standards.
• Undergoing training when required.
• Assist with events and other promotional activities as required, both off site and on site. This will include evening and weekend working times.
• Any other reasonable duties as deemed necessary for the proper operation of the site.
Essential Requirements
• 5 years + in a distilling, brewing or spirits production environment.
• Recognised qualification in brewing or distilling i.e. Third level qualification in a relevant subject or IBD Qualified.
• Must have attention to detail and the ability to both create and follow written work instructions and use knowledge to problem solve when required.
• Genuine interest in the manufacture of spirit products and development of new products.
• The distillery has a Visitor Centre, so the successful applicant must be comfortable in interacting with the public both on site and at external events.
• Ability to work autonomously, but also work within a small team.
• GCSE’s Grade C or above in English, Math’s, Double Award Science & a Technology based subject.
• IT Literate.
• Full clean driving license.
• Physically fit as this require will require significant levels on manual handling of materials and equipment.
Desirable Requirements
• IBD General Certificate in Distilling. Preference will also be given to those candidates with other IBD qualifications in Packaging or Brewing or degree level qualifications.
• Qualified tradesperson with experience in the brewing or distilling industry.
• A Level at Grade C or above in Physics, Chemistry or Biology.
• Experience of working in a Lean environment.
• Forklift License.
• Car plus Trailer Driving License (Cat. B+E)
• Confined Spaces working qualification.
The role will begin in February 2025.
To apply please complete an application form and email sales@shortcrossgin.com