Job Description

High Wire Distilling Co. is a privately-owned distillery located in Charleston, SC that produces small batch spirits with a unique agricultural focus. We work with local farm partners to source the most flavorful grains available and develop our recipes using a deliberate culinary approach. We take great pride in the praise-worthy spirits we create, spirits made possible when creativity, hard work, and passion for place and craft combine. High Wire is actively seeking a full-time Production Manager to lead our production department.

Position Summary

High Wire Distilling Co. is looking for an experienced and innovative Production Manager to lead our growing distillery operations. This person provides hands-on leadership, oversight, and execution of day-to-day distillation, malting, barrel maturation, blending, and bottling operations. The position reports directly to the owners and will play a lead role in executing the long-term plan that includes management of spirit inventories to meet growing demand, new product development, implementing an enhanced quality control program, and oversight of regulatory compliance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Production Duties

• Provide leadership and direct oversight to the production team
• Publish daily / weekly / monthly / quarterly Production calendar that meets production, barreling, and bottling objectives based on budget and forecast 
• Provide guidance during day-to-day production for critical operations of grain handling, mashing, fermentation, distillation, barreling, blending, and bottling
• Ensure adherence to CIP and safety protocols
• Oversee blending of spirits for barreling and bottling operations
• Manage spent stillage removal by way of coordination of approved farmers 
• Maintain utilities that support production such as compressed air, steam and chilled glycol - coordinate with owners and third-party vendors to ensure sufficient capabilities to meet demand

QC / R&D / Regulatory Duties

• Continue to develop and lead Quality Control (QC) program that ensures product integrity, consumer protection and adheres to local, state, and federal guidelines
• Oversee all sensory analysis of bottling batches, new products, QC, etc.
• Maintain archive library to ensure product quality and integrity
• Oversight and responsibility for Research & Development programs
• Direct oversight of special releases along with the Private Barrel program
• Lead in development of innovative spirits and specialty releases that leverage and expand on the brand’s national recognition and super premium price points
• Oversee Whiskey Systems software to ensure all TTB required data is reported daily/weekly/monthly and meets record and reporting requirements
• Develop, refine, and implement enhanced protocols/SOPs and ensure compliance in the following areas:
• Safety Program that meets OSHA and other local, state, and federal guidelines
• Cleaning-In-Place (CIP), Pest Control, and Preventive Maintenance programs
• Filtration program for distillation, blending, and bottling
• Gauging of proof gallons in distillation, barreling, storage, blending, and bottling stages (ensure adequate and calibrated equipment to meet this requirement)

Budget / Inventory / Project Management Duties

• Forecast and schedule procurement of product and raw material requirements – coordinate directly with Farmers, Vendors, Accounting, and Owners
• Work closely with owners on long range forecast of raw materials, proof gallon production, and maturation for annual budgets
• Oversee spirit matrix to ensure sufficient spirit inventories to meet near and long-term demand based on long range budget
• Coordinate with farm partners to develop agricultural plan to meet future needs through seed increases and yield planning
• Manage technically oriented spare production equipment parts (motors, valves, pump seals, etc) and maintain database of supplier and maintenance contacts
• Data entry and batch tracking of KPIs such as quality indicators, production logs, production output averages, efficiencies, lab data, barrel metrics, and spirit inventories

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum

• 5-plus years of brewing/distilling experience that includes management of production personnel
• Excellent sensory skills
• In-depth knowledge of state and federal alcohol laws and TTB regulations
• Strong organization, communication, and time management skills
• Ability to interface with various levels of management
• Self-motivated and ability to work with limited amount of direction; ability to work both independently and within a team to accomplish goals
• Exceptional analytical and problem solving skills
• Knowledge of good manufacturing practices
• Ability to work on your feet for upwards of an 8-hour shift
• Ability to climb ladders and work at heights
• Ability to lift 55 pounds and maneuver up to 170 pounds 

COMPENSATION

• Competitive base salary
• Target bonus paid annually based on achieving Production and Company KPIs
• Paid Time Off and seven (7) observed holidays with two (2) Floating Holidays
• Group Health Insurance after 90 day waiting period

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