Job Information
Brown-Forman Woodford Reserve Distillery Operator - Night Shift in Versailles, Kentucky
With a zero-loss mindset, the distillery operator will perform all duties related to milling, yeasting, mashing, fermentation, distillation, and barrel filling under minimal supervision in accordance with standard operating procedures and government regulations. This role will also monitor boiler operations, respond to alarms and troubleshoot issues with maintenance support. In addition to the core responsibilities of the distillery, the distillery operators will unload grain, load slop trucks, prepare ingredients for R&D as needed, and perform daily, weekly and annual sanitation duties. This role will work overtime and/or alternate schedules to ensure coverage for planned and unplanned absences (including but not limited to vacation, leave, call-offs, etc.) as required.
Responsibilities
Safety
Promote accident prevention by eliminating potential hazards and incorporating proper body mechanics in training procedures.
Provide feedback and suggestions to improve ergonomics in the core process, lock out tag out procedures, and all other safety regulations.
Partner with the Woodford Reserve EHS Committee representative and manager to ensure all EHS concerns are reported and addressed.
Comply with all PPE requirements for the distillery
Morale
Collaborate and communicate with professionalism in all areas and across all levels of the operation
Seek and leverage diverse ideas and perspectives to support continuous improvement and problem-solving initiatives
Actively support effective shift-change meetings and team communication, including delivering thorough and accurate shift reports at the end of each shift, attending all scheduled team meetings and identifying opportunities for enhanced and timely communications
Productivity
Perform all aspects of grain unloading, milling, yeasting, mashing, fermentation, distillation, and barrel fill operations per the standard operating procedures
Monitor boiler room operations and collaborate with maintenance team to resolve issues
Monitor by-products levels and coordinate and execute tanker load out according to schedule
Leverage distillery schedule to ensure proper time for fermentation and distillation
Closely track plant metrics and operational performance, responding and troubleshooting alarms and resolving issues
Ensure all three pot distillation processes meet regulatory requirements and adhere to the standard operating procedures, maintaining accurate records and specified proof
Assist in barrel unload, inspect and cooper barrels as needed prior to and during barrel fill, and assist in loading the barrel truck
Perform general sanitation duties and other tasks as assigned and job conditions require
Quality
Perform all raw material quality testing prior to grain unloading
Track and record the performance of yeasting, mashing, and fermentation via analytical tests
Perform final product sensory and proof testing to release product for barreling
Conduct weekly tank cleaning and sanitation
Perform monthly still cleaning to control product quality and ethyl carbamate
Monitor quality of milling, yeasting, mashing fermentation and distillation
Continuous Improvement
Actively engage in Woodford Reserve Continuous Improvement initiatives, including participating in and/or leading project teams and pillar work
Leverage technology to innovate and improve efficiency of processes and systems
Must Requirements
High school diploma or equivalent
Must be at least 21 years of age
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage time and work with minimal supervision
Strong analytical and decision making skills
Demonstrated ability to perform mathematical calculations (add, multiply, subtract, etc.)
Proficient in Google Suite (Sheets, Forms, Mail, etc.)
Physically able to walk, bend, stoop, twist, reach upward/downward, crouch, and ascend/descend stairs/ramps/ ladders, including climbing heights up to 40 or 50 feet, repeatedly over the course of each nightly shift
Physically able to push and pull over 100 pounds
Physically able to tolerate exposure to the following conditions: cold, heat, coal conveyor & height (40’-50’)
Preferred Experience
Previous distillery experience
Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology or other related science discipline
Experience with the Salesforce platform
Brown-Forman Corporation is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of Brown-Forman Corporation to provide full and equal employment opportunities to all employees and potential employees without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.
Business Area: Global Production
City: Versailles
State: Kentucky
Country: USA
Req ID: JR-00001675