We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Lead Distiller - Operations to oversee day-to-day operations within our growing distillation facility. This hands-on leadership role is essential to maintaining the quality, consistency, and safety of our spirits production. You'll be responsible for operating our 250L and 1500L stills, managing production schedules, supervising team members, and ensuring strict adherence to SOPs and safety protocols. This is a dynamic role that requires both technical expertise and people management skills, ideal for someone with a passion for craft spirits and a commitment to excellence.
As the Lead Distiller at Tree House, this position will work closely with our Head Distiller and the rest of the distillery production team in the manufacturing of our current portfolio of spirits, as well as new and unique releases. This is an exciting opportunity for a meticulous operator to participate in an innovative and inspiring project that will leave an indelible mark on the beverage industry. This is a new role for our distillery program and is well-suited for an individual who has a strong background in leadership and people management, likes to take initiative, can get up to speed on our culture and processes quickly, takes pride in minor details, and understands their impact when considered as a collective whole in the brewery.
This position will be expected to perform all of the tasks and activities associated with spirit distillation in addition to managing the distillery production team. The lead distiller will partner with our Head Distiller to achieve this goal. This opportunity promises an invigorating and exciting environment where great work is done, so we always look for flexibility, a sense of humor, and other valuable traits, such as intention, hard work, and good communication skills.
This is a full-time position, based in Charlton, MA, and may require travel to other Tree House locations. A flexible schedule will be required, including early mornings, evenings, or weekends during peak production times.
Role responsibilities will include: - Independently operating both 250-liter and 1500-liter stills in accordance with detailed production protocols.
- Following precise recipes and production methods to create a diverse portfolio of spirits, including whiskey, gin, vodka, and specialty liqueurs
- Managing all aspects of the production lifecycle: fermentation, distillation, barreling, aging, proofing, blending, bottling, and packaging
- Monitoring quality at every stage of production, troubleshooting issues, and collaborating with the Head Distiller on continuous improvement
- Maintaining and updating detailed SOPs & Safety Protocols and assuring they're being followed across all areas of production
- Providing daily direction to distillery assistants and production staff to ensure operational excellence
- Managing scheduling, time tracking, and task delegation based on daily and long-term production goals
- Conducting employee performance evaluations, providing ongoing training and mentorship, and administering disciplinary actions when necessary.
- Fostering a positive team culture built on accountability, communication, collaboration, and craftsmanship
- Assisting the Head Distiller in identifying and ordering raw materials needed for production.
- Collaborating closely with the Head Distiller to execute production plans that meet both seasonal and long-term business goals.
- Helping develop production calendars, track progress, and anticipate bottlenecks or equipment downtime.
- Participating in the R&D process for new spirits, providing feedback and technical insights during trials and pilot runs.
- Coordinating with the Head Distiller on the upkeep and cleanliness of all distillation equipment and production areas.
- Maintaining a high level of craftsmanship, precision, and consistency throughout all tasks.
- Taking a "sweat the small stuff" approach to cleanliness, sensory evaluation, labeling, and record-keeping.
- Monitor batch documentation, production logs, and regulatory reporting with extreme attention to detail.
Leadership Responsibilities - Strive for not just accountability but true ownership of your space. In your position as a leader, your role should not simply be a means to an end. If you don't feel a sense of personal obligation to all facets of your role, then this isn't the organization for you.
- Leading and upholding accountability with all team members - from policies to best practices this position will enforce the standards of the business at all times.
- Remains open to ideas by listening to others and objectively considers others' ideas and opinions, even when they conflict with one's own.
- Embodying allegiance to the goals, values and principles of Tree House Brewing.
- Doing what is best for Tree House, thinking like an owner and putting your thoughts into action.
- Fostering a deeper sense of purpose for team members as it relates to Tree House's overall mission and vision.
- Leading by example and promoting a positive, engaged attitude, efficiency, strong work ethic, and initiative.
- Embracing resistance to change and finding ways to eliminate the resistance through understanding employee motivation.
- Treats change and new situations as opportunities for learning or growth, focusing on the beneficial aspects of change; speaks positively about the change to others and readily tries new approaches appropriate for new or changed situations; does not persist with ineffective efforts.
- Works tenaciously toward and derives satisfaction from achieving challenging goals; pitches in where required without regard to status.
- Finding ways to provide your team members with growth and development opportunities, working with HR to pursue career paths for high-achieving individuals.
- Actively puts self in unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations in order to learn; takes on challenging or unfamiliar assignments
Role Requirements: - 5+ years of experience in distillation or beverage production, with at least 2 years in a management role
- Proven knowledge and experience with all facets of spirit production: sanitation, fermentation, distillation, maturation, packaging, & advanced sensory analysis
- Experience in quality control and other protocols
- Effective leadership skills with experience managing others and working closely with a team
- Science and data-driven with an artful mindset- must be perpetually curious and always striving to learn more.
- Self-motivated and able to work autonomously, with a focused and hard working attitude
- A quick learner who is able to work with minimal or no supervision once protocol is established
- Ability to multitask and work coolly and professionally in time sensitive situations, this is a big one as we are constantly growing and innovating
- Must have good communication skills with the ability to both receive feedback and offer ideas
- Ability to troubleshoot issues and/or pivot plans quickly in order to coordinate corrective actions needed.
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Ability to push, pull, bend, and lift in excess of 50 lbs. as necessary to perform required tasks as assigned throughout the workday
- Able to work across different levels of the facility, requiring regular stair use throughout the shift
- Must be able to operate all warehouse equipment, including: freight elevator, counterbalance forklift, reach truck, and electric pallet jack
- Ability to work early, long hours with flexibility, and the ability to work beyond normal working hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary to ensure product delivery
Benefits and Perks:
- Health Insurance covered 100% in full for employees, spouses and their dependents
- Dental Insurance, with company contribution
- Vision Insurance
- Wellness Reimbursement
- EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
- Pet Insurance
- Company paid Life and AD&D
- Flexible Spending Account and/or Dependent Care Account
- Complimentary nutrition consultations
- 401K with company match, 100% vested starting at enrollment
- Front loaded paid vacation bank
- Birthday paid day off
- Three personal days per year
- 40/56( NY) hours of sick time per year
- Paid volunteer hours
- Annual Employee Benefit Card: preloaded $750 credit for Beer, Merch or other products
- Discount of 50% on all products for personal use
- 3 free drafts and 2 free crew cans per shift
- 3 free drafts per guest for your immediate family when visiting
At Tree House, we work as a team and we work very hard with purpose and intent. We do not cut corners, and we do not take the easy route. We encourage dissent, critical thinking, and an ongoing desire to improve. Our goal is to make the best beverages in the world and serve it in the most friendly and memorable environment possible - that is our obsession, and that is what drives us to do what we do.
Tree House Brewing is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We welcome all applicants who believe they meet the minimum requirements of available positions, with or without reasonable accommodation, to apply. . click apply for full job details
