Jobs at Hood River Distillers, Inc (Now Hiring) — 4 open

SUMMARY

Performs all day-to-day distillation functions, ensuring the highest quality products in an efficient, safe, and well-maintained workplace.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform all functions related to fruit preparation, processing, fermentation, and distilling, including but not limited to: 
  • Crushing and pressing fruit
  • Pitching yeast
  • Punching tanks
  • Operating stills
  • Cleaning tanks and stills
• Identify, diagnose, and correct still and tank issues to ensure efficient output of top-quality products
• Communicate equipment or machine failures to the Master Distiller effectively and in a timely manner
• Communicates needs for supplies, or orders supplies to keep sufficient inventory on hand
• Responsible for following recipes for established brands, including building, blending ingredients, and filtration. 
• Able to interface with media and industry VIP’s to communicate our brand stories at a professional level. 
• Know and follow CCD's quality guidelines for all products
• Follow all safety and ergonomic guidelines in the performance of daily duties
• Adhere to required sanitation practices and procedures
• Complete production and distillation paperwork accurately and on time
• Perform Quality Control functions, including sensory evaluation, proofing with hydrometer, and blending
• Read and interpret technical information and process results as required
• Understand and comply with all Company rules, policies, and regulations
• Assist in training new employees
• Operate forklifts as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned by Management

COMPANY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Company's mission, vision, and core values
• Contribute to and support the strategic plan, annual priorities, and Company initiatives
• Contribute to a positive Company culture based on mutual respect, cooperation, support, and openness to many perspectives
• Perform duties as outlined in SOPs in a timely manner
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to Hood River Distillers Employee Handbook policies

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Mechanical aptitude: ability to troubleshoot equipment problems and make minor repairs and adjustments to processing equipment
• Must be a self-motivated worker, able to work with minimal supervision
• Ability to work swing shifts and occasional weekend shift
• Ability to multitask and use sound judgment to make decisions as needed
• Strong attention to detail

Education and/or Experience
 High school diploma required; associate's degree preferred. Four to six years of related or complementary experience and/or training in a distillery, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills
 Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write reports and correspondence. Ability to communicate effectively with management, customers, and employees.

Mathematical Skills
 Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability
 Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, and use hand and wrist motion. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk; use hands for simple grasping, pushing/pulling, power grasping, fine finger manipulation, handling, or feeling; and reach with hands and arms above shoulder level, at waist level, below waist, and below knee. The employee is frequently required to bend, twist, kneel, squat, and taste or smell. Occasionally, this position requires the employee to sit, climb stairs, balance, stoop, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift, carry, or move objects such as hoses, buckets, and barrels up to 50 pounds, and occasionally up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Temperatures can be cold or hot depending on outside conditions. This is a warehouse environment.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a full-time, hourly position based in Hood River, Oregon. The employee is expected to report to work on time. Typical hours of operation at the facility are Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Any change in hours must be approved by the manager.