Quote from Kyle VanStrien on June 6, 2022, 1:53 pm

Job Opportunity: Head Distiller

Position Type: Full Time

Department: Production/Distillery

Reports to: Owners/Director of Operations

Direct Reports: All Distillery Production Employees

 

Long Road Distillers is an internationally acclaimed craft distillery in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a broad portfolio of award-winning spirits, produced from locally sourced ingredients. The distillery is located on the West Side of Grand Rapids and shares a building with Long Road’s cocktail bar and restaurant, as well as a special events space that overlooks the distilling operations. Long Road spirits are available at the distillery’s 3 off-site tasting rooms and at over 2,500 bars, restaurants and retailers throughout the state of Michigan.

 

Long Road Distillers is seeking a new Head Distiller who will be responsible for the daily management of our production facility and team of distillers. This role includes scheduling, procurement of supplies and raw materials, record-keeping and inventory management, and oversight of all distilling operations. The Production Manager will work directly with Long Road owners, the production team, our Director of Operations, and the Director of Sales to ensure goals and vision are well-aligned, targets are met, and quality is upheld at all times.

 

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@longroaddistillers.com. 

  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities to include (but not limited to):

• Monitor and maintain operations in accordance with established Long Road Distillers standard operating procedures
• Daily quality assurance/quality control responsibilities
• Inventory management and record keeping
• Maintaining production schedules, forecasts, and goal achievement
• Supervise, manage and train team members on all required production skills, as needed
• Maintain safe work environment
• Research and Development/Recipe formulation in collaboration with production team, owners, Operations Director and Sales Director
• Milling, mashing, fermenting, and distilling vodka, gin, whisky, brandy, and more!
• Transferring of mash, fermentations, high wines, etc. in accordance with established Long Road Distillers standard operating procedures
• Proofing, blending, barreling and bottling of spirits
• Cleaning and sanitation of distilling, brewing, and bottling equipment

 

 

Applicant Qualifications

• 3-5 years of previous distilling or brewing experience
• A desire to maintain a safe work environment
• Curiosity about new products, new ways of doing things, and constant improvement
• Intermediate knowledge of brewing process required
• Advanced knowledge of distilling process required
• Background in project management required
• Background in fermentation highly desired
• Background in chemistry or lab processes preferred, but not required
• Strong mechanical/light industrial background preferred
• Experience in the beverage industry, with a passion for craft beverages in particular
• Proven ability to work with little to no supervision
• Be precise and detail oriented

 

Candidates should have the ability to lift and/or move at least 50 lbs.

 

This is a salaried, full-time position, with compensation commensurate with experience. Benefits include health, dental and short term disability insurance as well as Mental Health Services, Paid Time Off and a retirement match.

 

Please send resume to: jobs@longroaddistillers.com

Include three references and desired salary range.

Please include in the Subject line: "I Want to be your Head Distiller!"