Minden Mill Distilling
Just south of Lake Tahoe, our distillery occupies a restored turn-of-the-century flour mill, now purpose-built for estate distilling and hospitality. The setting is quiet, expansive, and deeply tied to the land that shapes our whiskey.

Position Summary
The Distillery Lab Technician supports the Quality function by independently performing and monitoring routine physical and chemical analysis of grain, spirits, water, and raw materials related to distillery operations. This role carries out QC/QA activities to ensure the highest levels of safety, compliance, and quality, in adherence to all local, state, federal, and other applicable agency requirements and permits.

Responsibilities
•  Lead and monitor daily/weekly/monthly process and analysis schedules to coordinate with production requirements, equipment availability and the most efficient use of time and resources.
•  Collect and prepare samples for analysis.
•  Perform analysis in a timely fashion, using either automated or bench chemistry analytical methods,
•  Recognize out of range analysis and take action, communicate findings.
•  Ensure that all products meet standards and specifications prior to bottling.
•  Set-up of various product trials.
•  Routine preventative maintenance, or emergency maintenance, on laboratory equipment.
•  Manage recordkeeping, lot tracking, analysis entry, or any other database entry.
•  Maintain the cleanliness and organization of the lab.
•  Understand and comply to HACCP/GMP programs.
•  Coordinate all laboratory activities to ensure that necessary analysis are completed on time by scheduling routine checks and setting priorities.
•  Maintain all computerized analytical records in a neat and timely manner.
•  Orders supplies and reagents for the laboratory, maintains inventory.
•  Coordinate product non-conformance hold, where necessary.
•  Monitor packaging materials and finished product during bottling to ensure regulatory compliance and adherence to standards/specifications.
•  Analyse on all bottled spirits and perform bottling quality control checks to ensure standards are met.
•  Maintain QC analysis, TTB approvals, bottling line checks, packaging specifications and evaluations.
•  Participate in the Distillery food safety program and prerequisite programs such as the pest control program.
•  Interacts with vendors from a material quality, food safety, and continuous improvement perspective.


Minimum Qualifications
•  4yr BS/BA degree (Chemistry or related science preferred) or 3 to 5 yrs experience in lieu of a degree is acceptable.
•  Follow Company Safety guidelines and requirements.
•  Comply with Food Safety and GMP requirements.
•  Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
•  Good organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving skills.
•  Knowledge of spirits sensory characteristics (a plus).
•  Knowledge of analytical procedures and equipment
•  Must be proficient in Excel, Word, Outlook.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment
•  Climb 10 ft ladder, stairs, occasionally lift 40 pounds.
•  Must be able to work a flexible work schedule and overtime, particularly during harvest.
•  Sit and use computer for extended periods.

Company Core Values:

Teamwork – Be a Spirited Partner
Commitment – Crush Every Day
Quality – Good vs. Grape: It’s All in The Details
Integrity – It Takes a Community
Safety – Tend the Vines
Entrepreneurship – Love the Wine You’re With
Fun! - Smile! You Have Purple Teeth!