Benefits:
Dental insurance
Employee discounts
Health insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
Our Company Traverse City Whiskey Co. is an award-winning craft distillery producing premium whiskey and spirits in the heart of Michigan’s cherry country. We’re entering an exciting growth phase, with the opening of a state-of-the-art whiskey production facility and visitor center. As a brand rooted in tradition and innovation, we're passionate about creating world-class products that whiskey lovers across the nation enjoy.
Position Summary Traverse City Whiskey Company is seeking a passionate and detail-oriented Barrel & Blending Operator to join our growing team. This dynamic position offers a unique opportunity to engage in all aspects of whiskey production, focusing on Barrel Management, Distilling, and Blending. The ideal candidate will have a strong work ethic, technical aptitude, and a deep appreciation for crafting high-quality spirits. As a Barrel & Blending Operator, you will play a vital role in creating the blends that define our brand, while managing the movement and care of barrels in our new 15,000-barrel rickhouse and overseeing the distillation and management of a variety of mashbills.
Key Responsibilities:
Barrel Management:
Safely and efficiently move barrels in and out of our 15,000-barrel rickhouse, ensuring proper stacking, spacing, and storage techniques.
Conduct routine barrel inspections to identify and address issues such as leaks, evaporation, or contamination.
Maintain detailed and accurate records of barrel movements, inventory updates, and aging progress using tracking software or manual logs.
Clean and sanitize barrels and storage areas to uphold quality standards.
Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other equipment to handle barrels safely.
Distilling:
Operate, monitor, and adjust distillation equipment to produce a range of mashbills with precision and consistency.
Measure and document critical process parameters, including temperature, proof, and yield, ensuring compliance with production standards.
Troubleshoot equipment issues and perform routine maintenance, minimizing downtime while ensuring safety.
Work closely with the production team to refine and experiment with distillation processes, contributing to innovation in our product lineup.
Ensure adherence to all safety and regulatory guidelines for distillation operations.
Blending:
Execute blending recipes with a high degree of accuracy to maintain the quality and character of Traverse City Whiskey products.
Dump barrels, filter contents, and prepare blends for bottling or further aging, adhering to strict cleanliness and quality protocols.
Collaborate with the blending team to analyze flavor profiles, recommend adjustments, and develop new blends.
Maintain detailed blending records to ensure traceability and consistency across batches.
Perform quality checks at each step of the blending process, addressing variances promptly.
Skills & Qualifications:
Experience: Prior experience in distilling, blending, or barrel management in a spirits production facility is strongly preferred.
Technical Skills: Strong mechanical aptitude and familiarity with distillation and barrel-handling equipment. Proficiency with inventory tracking software is a plus.
Attention to Detail: High level of precision and focus, ensuring quality and consistency in all aspects of production.
Teamwork: Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate with a diverse team in a fast-paced environment.
Commitment to Excellence: Passion for the craft of whiskey-making and a dedication to maintaining and elevating Traverse City Whiskey Company’s standards.
Forklift Operation: Certification or demonstrated experience operating forklifts safely and efficiently in an industrial or warehouse environment is required.
Why This Role is Exciting: If you enjoy working hands-on, finding creative solutions, and are passionate about maintaining a high-functioning environment, this position is perfect for you. Your contributions will be essential to keeping our distillery and tasting rooms running efficiently and safely while enabling Traverse City Whiskey Co. to pursue continuous improvement.
Physical Requirements/Other
Travel: <5%
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time and work on a computer for extended periods.
Lifting may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Ability to safely lift and maneuver heavy barrels (up to 500 lbs. with proper equipment)
Works in varying environments including Warm, Cold, or Wet Areas
This position is not eligible for employer-visa sponsorship
Location: Traverse City, Michigan Job Type: Full time Job Area: Operations and Production
Equal Opportunity Traverse City Whiskey Co.is committed to a continuing program of equal employment opportunity. All persons have equal employment opportunities with Traverse City Whiskey Co., regardless of their sex, race, color, age, religion, creed, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics), marital status, gender (including gender identity or gender expression), familial status, military or veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related conditions (or any other group or category within the framework of the applicable discrimination laws and regulations).