Distiller

Description

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Distiller to join our innovative team, where craftsmanship meets precision in the art of distilling. The ideal candidate will bring a wealth of expertise in the distillation process, with a deep understanding of raw materials, equipment, and techniques that elevate product quality to the highest standards. As a key player in our production team, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of distillation, ensuring consistency, and driving the creation of exceptional spirits. If you are passionate about distilling and have a keen eye for detail, we invite you to bring your expertise to a forward-thinking company that values quality, innovation, and tradition. 

Over the past 10 years, Journeyman Distillery has become a staple for genuine hospitality and world-class spirits in Southwest Michigan and throughout the Midwest. As a Distiller at Journeyman, you will ensure that the highest-quality standards are met in producing our award-winning spirits. You will be instrumental in supporting our distribution growth as well as in supplying our restaurants and premier events services. 

Basic Function: Primarily responsible for producing, storing, and processing quality spirits.

All team members must uphold and embody Journeyman’s Core Values which represent the culture, attitude, and immediate priorities ensuring our cohesion and success.

CORE VALUES
GRIT

• Having a positive attitude that no challenge is too great
• Understanding that goals worth pursuing are never easy; that perseverance, grit, and determination are essential to success
• There is no substitute for grit and putting in the time and effort. Good things will come from those efforts
• 10,000-hour rule. Malcom Gladwell: it takes 10,000 hours of intensive practice to be great

ALWAYS A JOURNEYMAN

• Excellence is a lifelong pursuit and mastery is an illusion
• The joy is in the daily work and pursuit of excellence, not in the final destination
• A focus on continual improvement and doing our best

1st CUSTOMER

• Treating every customer with the mindset that they are the business’s 1st ever customer
• Treating customers with authenticity, kindness, warmth, care, friendliness; engaging, helpful and willing to offer a magical experience
• Clean facilities
• Being available to the customer and timely responses in any capacity
• This mindset extends to our vendors, suppliers, partners, and especially our fellow employees
• Never take the customer or employee for granted
• 362 and 59:59+ We are open to our customers 362 days a year and we set an unwavering standard of serving our customers up till the last closing second 59:59+ and beyond if needed.

AMBASSADOR

• Taking pride and ownership in your work
• Engagement and active participation in your work and company activities
• Being a positive force in the workplace; creating a culture of positivity
• Extending common courtesy to self, employees, vendors, and guests
• Being an evangelist and promoter of the company and brand

A LITTLE ABOUT OUR CULTURE:

• Journeyman is an in-person work environment. We believe in face-to-face interaction, collaboration, and problem-solving.
• Journeyman is a non-smoking workplace. We believe in productivity and in your good health.
• Journeyman's purpose is to serve our guests. We are open 362 days per year, including the 3 major summer holidays.
• Journeyman believes in a strong work ethic! We work hard, push forward, and are focused on growing something special!      

At Journeyman Distillery, we believe hard work and dedication deserve to be rewarded. To that end, we provide a comprehensive benefits and incentives package.

Here’s a peek at what you will receive as a Journeyman employee:

• Outstanding Growth Opportunity!
• Paid Time Off – begins accruing on Day 1
• 401(k) with Employer Match available Day 1
• Medical Insurance – 30+ hours/week
• Dental, Vision, Life, Supplemental Insurance options – 20+ hours/week
• Free Quarterly Bottle of Spirit (21+)
• Loyalty Incentives (ask about our 5-Year Bottle Reward!)
• 25% Employee Discount
• Monthly Founders' Tour with Bill and Johanna Welter
• Annual Employee Putting Competition
• 1 Annual Employee Holiday Party
• Shoes for Crews (Affordable Footwear)

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

• Oversee the production of grain and other product ingredients for distillery operations.
• Mill grain and oversee daily mashes, fermentations and distillations.
• Process spent grain and waste water.
• Traveling between Three Oaks and Valparaiso for shifts 
• Pump, distill, cut and proof the spirits.
• Sample and taste product off the still and make accurate quality cuts.
• Create and maintain detailed records of production through Stillhouse and Excel spreadsheets,
• Maintain exceptional standards of cleanliness in the production facility.
• Inspect and maintain the facility and equipment.
• Communicate with staff and educate guests about whiskey process and history.
• Blend aged product to meet consistent brand standards.
• Organize and move pallets in storage and production areas.
• Load and unload barrels, grain, bottles, chemicals, yeast and other production materials/supplies on and off of motor vehicles/delivery vehicles.
• Rack and pull barrels as needed using necessary equipment.
• Follow proper P.O. procedures to accurately fill purchase orders.
• Properly follow organic, Kosher and gluten -free production guidelines.
• Safely operate barrel filling pump, impeller pump, high proof pump, wine pump, discharge pumps, russel finex machine, mill, grain augers, and grain elevator.
• Safely operate motor vehicles for barrel transport.
• Safely operate forklift and skid steer.

Requirements

• Looking for an experienced distillery operator with strong knowledge of mashing, distillation, and tasting operations.
• Must have knowledge of pot/column distillation process.
• Must be comfortable working in an environment where you may be exposed to alcohol, heavy machinery, and potentially hazardous materials 
• Must have ability to use all senses to ensure consistency and quality in the production, barreling and bottling processes.
• Must have ability to use hands in a precise and repetitive manner for periods of 8 -10 hours a day.
• Must have ability to perform intensive physical work; may be required to lift up to 150 pounds occasionally with assistance, up to 50 pounds independently and frequently and perform such activities as bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, climbing, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping for up to 10 hours without sitting.
• Highly flexible schedule with Full-time availability