Distiller - Chankaska Creek Winery & Distillery

The Client:

In lush rolling hills and fertile soil of the Southern Minnesota River Valley, lies the award-winning Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery. 

For more information visit https://www.chankaskawines.com/about-us

The Distiller will work collaboratively with the current team in the day-to-day management of the company’s distillery in Kasota, Minnesota.  This role will provide production and maintenance support to ensure the site is achieving its overall goals and objectives.

To be a good fit for this opportunity it is critical that you have 2 years of distillery experience ideally with both Pot Still and Reflux Column with a firm understanding of the fermentation and distillation process from beginning to end.  

Reporting Structure: This role reports into the Master Distiller and Winemaker

Position Responsibilities:

• Assists Master Distiller daily, helping to produce and maintain product quality.
• Maintain daily reporting and TTB compliance information
• Participates in day-to-day distillery and cellar operations, plant organization, maintenance and cleanliness
• Be an active participant in sensory evaluations of raw materials, distillate, fermenting, and aged product, developing a logging and records system to help better understand nuances of distillation and maturation process.
• Review daily inspections on raw materials through sight, aroma, test weight, moisture content and foreign material analysis
• Assist in harvest operations, wine ingredient additions, yeast inoculations, fermentation, analyzing, blending, filtering, barrel work and bottling activities
• Assist and support with all production and QC analysis for accuracy and potential beverage quality issues
• Update Master Distiller/Winemaker daily on recently processed work 
• Assist In maintaining accurate production, sanitation and cleaning records 
• Assists with routine monthly bulk and finished inventory counts and record-keeping.
• Keep informed in maintaining best practices and standard operating procedures to ensure quality, efficient increases in productivity and cost effectiveness
• Help ensure that all staff complies with relevant safety requirements and to help comply with OSHA regulatory requirements. Assist in the development of a safety plan and policy to address daily work activities
• Perform other tasks as required by the Distiller
• Assist with hiring, training, supervising, providing ongoing instruction and safety support for seasonal and temporary employees
• Assist with occasional strategic and some budgetary planning for annual operations, seasonal projects, harvest activities, staffing and ordering of supplies 
• Participate in non-cellar related duties regarding in-house and outside event sales/marketing/promotional and winery activities as needed

Qualifications:

• Should possess a minimum of 2 years distilled spirits or beverage plant experience
• Must be comfortable and certified to operate a forklift and pallet-jack. (Employer will provide for initial and subsequent forklift certifications every 3 years.)
• Possess strong leadership and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication, analytical / problem solving, organizational skills, team building, and team-working skills
• Bachelor’s Degree relevant scientific discipline or equivalent
• Proficient with MS Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel and Word software.
• Valid Driver license and clean driving record.  
• Ability to lift and move 45 pounds, repetitively