Job purpose:
To oversee the creation of spirits and/or liqueurs. It is a senior position and involves a wide range of responsibilities including managing staff, overseeing the productions line, product development, quality control, product testing and sourcing raw materials.
The successful candidate will feed into an existing extensive product development and market testing of the Company’s Gin, Vodka, Whisky and Bulk Neutral Spirit products. He/she will be empowered into this process and work with the company’s leadership group to build upon and extend this range.
A brand new 2000L Continuous still with a gining basket will be ready to use in the end of 2019, all wash will be created from grain or molasses using a state of the art mash-tun and fermented onsite allowing for end-to-end control of the entire process with support from a brewing team of which the successful candidate will handpick.
Responsibilities:
Manage the spirit-making team
The master distiller takes on responsibility for managing the distillery’s production staff. He/she must
direct their actions and ensure the product is meeting quality guidelines.
Manage day-to-day operations of the distillery
The master distiller oversees every aspect of production including the sourcing of raw materials,
malting, fermentation, distillation, maturation, blending and bottling.
Developing new products
The master distiller works with tasters, other spirit makers, marketers, finance and marketers to
maximise the value of the spirit stock held by the distillery. For example, making decisions on how to
use available stock in the most profitable way.
Designing a comprehensive sampling and recording programme
Improving the quality of the spirits produced by the distillery is the chief concern of the master
distiller. They must create a program which samples and records the quality of the product produced
and works towards improving that quality.
Longer Term Liquid Planning
A master distiller must plan how to store spirits over longer periods plus work with other staff to define agreed upon specifications and processes.
The master distiller works with other staff to refine the process of spirit making and defining a set
specification for spirit production. That may involve tasks as diverse as wood procurement and wood
seasoning, along with distilling and maturation processes.
Maintain process logs
Each phase of the distillation process must be logged and detailed records should be kept to ensure
the product meets quality guidelines
Develop a stock management plan
A plan must be devised to continually sample maturing stock and make decisions on its use
Work with the scientific team to refine all production and ageing processes
To gain a better understanding of the production and ageing processes, master distillers are usually
required to understand the underlying scientific processes. Once a scientific understanding has been
gained, it is easier to consistently produce high-quality spirits.
Brand promotion
The master distiller will liaise with customers, the media, other distilleries and wholesalers to promote
the distillery and its products.
Develop new styles of spirits
They may have to develop new products, often in conjunction with marketing teams and tasters.
Plan staff training and development
A master distiller may sometimes be responsible for training staff to perform specific tasks including
milling, mashing, fermenting, distilling, record keeping, cleaning and effluent treatment.
Maintain hygiene and food safety standards
Care must be taken throughout the distillation process to maintain the highest levels of hygiene and
food safety. The master distiller must ensure staff are working to the highest standards.
Education:
Bachelors’ Degree in Distilling, Chemistry, Biology, Food Science, or Microbiology.
Experience:
- Previous distilling experience is a must; a minimum 4 years’ commercial experience in distilling alcohol
- Management experience -demonstrated experience in managing staff
- A demonstrated ability in liaising with customers, suppliers, stakeholders and the media
- Quality assurance experience
Skills and Knowledge:
- Project management knowledge & skills
- Strong analytical and technical skills
- Advanced knowledge of all aspects of the beverage production line
- Advanced knowledge of all process involved with distillation
- Well developed sensory skills for tasting and evaluating skills
- Strong scientific knowledge
- Managerial skills
- Excellent communication skills and public speaking skills
- Must be very methodical, logical and detail orientated
- Quality control skills
- Strong computer and mathematical skills
- Good physical health, i.e.: capable of working on your feet, sitting, climbing stairs and ladders, bending, kneeling, and squatting
Job location:
Arusha, Tanzania