Maintenance Technician and Distillery Operator

Chattanooga Whiskey is now accepting applications for a full time, salaried Maintenance Technician and Distillery Operator on our Production Team. Inspired by our city's rich distilling history, Chattanooga Whiskey was founded in 2011 with a mission to bring back "Whiskey to the People." Following the success of our community-powered Vote Whiskey campaign, we eventually became the first distillery in Chattanooga in over a century. In 2015, we began the patient process of crafting our malt-forward style of straight bourbon whiskey we call Tennessee High Malt, and in 2023 we were awarded Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whiskey Craft Producer of the Year.

Today, we run two separate facilities; the public facing Experimental Distillery – the only standalone experimental facility in the country! – and the Riverfront Distillery, our main production facility. Our small Production team includes a combination of highly skilled distillers, bottlers, and operators who run every aspect of our grain to glass process. We are an ambitious, creative team who thrive in a challenging, fast paced environment and who strive for continuous improvement.

We are looking for a Maintenance Technician and Distillery Operator to join our Maintenance team. The Maintenance Technician and Distillery Operator reports directly to the Distillery Manager and indirectly to the Head Distiller and CPO. In conjunction with the Distillery Manager, the Maintenance Technician and Distillery Operator is responsible for the preventative, diagnostic, and corrective maintenance of all Chattanooga Whiskey facilities, utilizing a combination of RCM, TPM, and 5S principles. This role requires a basic understanding across the fields of mechanics, electrical, and plumbing, as well as an innate ability to think outside the box and a disposition towards reimagining the status quo. 

While this position falls within the larger Production team, we are looking for a candidate with maintenance experience and expertise. Cross training throughout the distillery will be required to gain a full understanding of the systems and processes, however this is not a full time Distiller role. Distillery Operator duties will be assigned as needed, and occupy a minority focus of the position. 

The ideal candidate will be:

• Graceful under pressure
• Selflessly collaborative
• Attentive to details
• Able to balance both the physical and organizational aspects of the role
• Adept at problem solving, troubleshooting
• Curious, with a tinkerer’s mindset
• Open minded
• Enthusiastic for improvement and change
• A life learner

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Mechanical – Performing routine checks and maintenance, parts replacement, and troubleshooting on the chiller, boiler, pumps, motors, gear drives, belts, bearings, valves, etc.
• Lubrication - Adhering to regular oil change, grease schedules
• Electrical – Improving and troubleshooting motor control, basic switch and plug wiring, and multimeter diagnosing
• Plumbing – Maintaining, assembling, and troubleshooting various systems and material types 
• Calibration - Following routine calibration schedule for pH, conductivity, grain mill, switches, timers, scales, etc.
• Whiskey Production - Cooking, distilling, barreling, gauging, and bottling, as required by the Production schedule and needs of the team

Additionally, the Maintenance Technician and Distillery Operator will be expected to: 

• Update and follow a shared maintenance log
• Perform and track routine equipment inspections, cleanings, replacements, and restorations
• Complete general plant condition monitoring
• Collaborate with Distillery Manager and Head Distiller on performing routine or emergency shutdown maintenance 
• Coordinate with contractors, vendors, third party partners
• Collaborate with Maintenance, Production, and/or Executive Teams on optimizing operations through executing Continuous Improvement projects
• Order parts and materials, and track in house inventory; balancing potential downtime with cost efficiency, and meeting budget goals
• Operate mill, cooker, still, bottling line when required 
• Communicate issues, improvements, suggestions, and updates
• Perform basic GMP tasks (organization, routine cleaning)
• Adhere to all health and safety protocols, including appropriate equipment handling and PPE usage

Understanding or comfortability with the following is a plus: 

• Programming logic controllers
• Welding/soldering 
• Spirits/beverage/food production/manufacturing
• HVAC
• Carpentry 

This is a challenging, fast paced role within a growing company. If you have a passion for the spirits industry and a penchant for continued growth and learning, then we look forward to hearing from you. Please send your resume and cover letter to: productionjobs@tnstillhouse.com. Cheers!

Requirements:

-Must be at least 21 years of age

-Prior maintenance, engineering, and/or trade experience, with references

-Strong organizational habits with a self-motivated work ethic

-Good critical thinking/problem solving skills

-Clear communication skills, with the ability to work in close quarters with a small team

-Experience with MS Office, especially Excel

-Patience and grace for themselves and others

-Self initiative to seek out continuous improvement 

-The ability to work unsupervised and manage their time and priority list

-Must be able to move & lift up to 55 lbs

-Must be able to climb, balance, kneel, crouch, and crawl as tasks require

-Must be able to work inside & outside, in extreme hot & cold environments, on wet surfaces, in high places (ladders and lifts), and small spaces when required

-Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time and work on a computer for extended periods

-Must have flexibility in terms of shift hours & a willingness to work a variable work schedule; afternoon/early evening hours preferred

-High school diploma, GED, or comparable work experience

Benefits:

-This is a full-time, salaried opportunity, with eligibility to enroll in individual and/or family health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision) upon hire

-Eligible for quarterly performance bonuses

-Generous PTO plan; paid holidays

-Flexible schedule options, M-F

-401K with company match

-Employee product allowance, discount

-Industry related education/certification reimbursement program

-Annual workwear stipend