Lead Distiller

Trillium•Canton, MA

33d

About The Position

Lead Distiller Position Summary: Trillium is looking for a Lead Distiller to join our team. The Lead Distiller will be working with the Head Distiller in overseeing and executing all aspects of distillery operations to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality spirit production. This role combines hands-on production leadership with inventory management, fermentation and distillation oversight, quality control collaboration, sanitation compliance, and continuous process improvement. The Lead Distiller plays a key role in achieving production goals, maintaining consistency and quality standards, and supporting research and development initiatives, while ensuring equipment, facilities, and records meet operational and regulatory expectations. This position requires strong technical expertise in distillation operations, particularly continuous and hybrid still systems, along with demonstrated leadership, analytical skills, and a detail-oriented approach. The Lead Distiller works closely with Quality Control, Facilities, and Operations teams to optimize production performance, maintain preventative maintenance schedules, and uphold the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and product integrity.

Requirements

3+ years of production distillery operations experience
1+ years of supervisory or managerial experience
Leadership & delegation skills required
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.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Detail oriented and quality focused
Solid analytical, record keeping, problem solving, and organizational skills
Proficient in algebra, basic biology/chemistry
Ability to work independently as well as in teams, in addition to multi-tasking
Professional communication skills with an efficient sense of urgency
Proficient in MS Office / Google Suite
Ability to lift 65 pounds and move 175 pounds regularly
Ability to regularly stand, walk, use hands, reach, climb, work from heights, stoop, kneel, and crouch
Ability to work in a loud, wet, cold, hot, indoor and outdoor environment frequently

Nice To Haves

Continuous column still experience preferred
Proficient in basic chemical engineering preferred
Preferred forklift experience

Responsibilities

Operate low-pressure steam-fed continuous column and hybrid still with chilled water cooling, controlled by a central PLC system
Trouble shoot process & equipment issues
Work with Facilities team to make sure preventative maintenance schedules are being followed, and facility maintenance requests are submitted in a timely manner and work is scheduled at an appropriate time
Perform quarterly maintenance on both stills
Sensory evaluation of new make spirit, spirit in maturation, and finished goods
Oversee general day-to-day distillery operations to meet weekly and monthly production goals including: distillations, spirit transfers, production blending, finished goods blending, packaging operations support
Build production records based on approved benchtop blends and established recipes/formulas
Run CIP procedures with both strong acid and strong base chemicals, utilizing diaphragm and centrifugal pumps
Auditing CIP protocols to make sure appropriate sanitary standards are being followed
Use a detailed approach to uphold the highest standards of cleanliness for all customer facing spaces within the process plant
Scheduling distillery operations on a weekly basis
Oversee SOP development and train team members to standard
Managing raw material inventory for the distillery including monthly inventories
Managing production supplies for distillery operations (filters, botanical bags, chemicals, etc)
Forecasting cooperage requirements per production schedule
Operation of pumps, motors, agitators & valves to execute daily fermented wash and spirit operations and tank transfers, controlled via a central PLC or manual control systems
Writing recipes in automated mashing software platforms
Help manage R&D program for continuous improvement of quality and process
Help determine concrete metrics for success for all R&D ventures
Work with team to ensure R&D projects are carried out efficiently with no interference on production needs
Oversee barrel sample withdrawal program for quality and maturation analysis
Track data for completed mashes, fermentations, and distillations; add data to master data tracker to identify trends in production
Work closely with Quality Assurance team to promote quality and consistency in our process
Additional duties may be assigned as necessary.