Distiller

Poetic License Distillery has established itself as a leading small batch, hand-crafted Gin Distillery, based in the North East of England. We continue to try and break boundaries in how we craft our spirits and now find ourself looking for a driven Distiller to join our small but perfectly formed team to help guide us into the next generation of our Gin production.

Some training will be given on our still, but we require someone with an active love for food and drink production. As the Distiller, you will be responsible for the entire range of Poetic License Distillery spirits; including ( but not limited to, ) our award winning Gin, Vodka, Gin Liqueurs and smaller one-off orders from bespoke customers. Time management is a must to ensure that the day-to-day operations are handled, whilst maintaining consistency and only the highest quality from one distillation to the next. No two days are the same at Poetic License, so we require someone that is willing to get stuck in with the team and be flexible with task management. From time to time you may be required to attend trade shows and external events as a brand ambassador to aid the sales team and host Gin Masterclass events where you can pass on your wealth of knowledge and love for the products to the general public.

Whilst working closely with our Head Office your role will include general operational maintenance, a strict adherence to health and safety guidelines, as well as being a team player with other members of the Distillery team as well as the wider business. The Distiller will lead distillations based on forecasted demands and needs of the business and sales team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Spirit production
• Quality control
• On time preparation of all distilling tasks
• General warehouse roles, including using pallet truck and pallet lifter machinery
• Maintain records
• Weekly and monthly stock counting
• Processing and handling chemicals

Keeping appropriate documents and reporting these to Distillery Manager

• Working with customers on special editions, contracted products
• Working on NPD projects
• Maintaining a clean and tidy workspace
• Contributing towards health and safety, fire safety and food safety compliance
• Acting as a leader and role model to other members of the team
• Loading and unloading HGVs for deliveries and collections
• Delivering regular maintenance checks of equipment and facing issues when they arise
• Create a welcoming and happy working environment
• Providing leadership to junior members of the team when required
• Taking accountability when required
• Monitoring compliance with safety procedures
• Minimising hazards and risks where possible
• Always working as a brand ambassador
• Willing to visit events around the country when required
• Opportunity to host Gin Masterclasses and talks at events

The Person:

• Experience in food and/or drinks production
• A passion for the distillation process, with the drive to always work hard to build experience
• Preference for a scientific background and formal distilling qualification
• Certificate and experience in HACCP or HSE are highly valued
• Comprehensive palate and a great ability to articulate flavour
• Detail orientated and process driven
• Desire to deliver the highest quality
• Self-motivated
• Can-do approach
• Experience working with high risk machines or chemicals
• Strong record of finding solutions in a production capacity
• Clear communication up and down management chains
• Team player
• Car and clean driving license are preferred

This is not a trainee role, but some training will be given where possible.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £25,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Free or subsidised travel
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Store discount

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Sunderland, SR6 9ND: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: One location

Reference ID: Distiller