Production & Distillery Equipment Operator

Reports to: Production Manager / Distiller

The Company:

Top Shelf Distillers’ core objective is to provide memorable and unique experiences to all clients and community partners with carefully crafted unique spirits. We strive to always be learning, growing, and doing more.

We weave these values into everything that we do. 

We proudly use locally sourced ingredients. We continually support Ontario-based non-for-profits. We host our customers and friends at our distillery with a variety of best-in-class events, and we deliver that same experience across the country. 

Our team is the heart of everything we do.

The Production Team:

The operations/production team works to execute processes that provide our high-quality products to clients in a safe and comfortable work environment.

The Position: 

As a vital member of the plant operations team, the Production & Distillery Equipment Operator is responsible for following all safety and quality rules and procedures, process setups, process execution, including operation of equipment, process wrap-up, housekeeping and other tasks as defined by Top Shelf Distillers procedures and assigned by the production manager. The Production & Distillery Equipment Operator will be responsible for the team on shift and accountable to report progress and any issues that may have occurred to the next production lead on shift.

As the Production & Distillery Equipment Operator, your position is an integral role in ensuring our product demands are on track, inventory levels are accurate, and that the team's daily workload objectives are met. The position requires excellent verbal, written, and physical communication skills, strong organizational skills, calm nature in stressful environments, problem-solving, and a self-driven attitude.

Major Responsibilities

• Ensure assigned process activities are carried out safely and effectively within the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and GMP standards.
• Ensure policies, safety standards, regulations and protocol are followed and adhered to.
• Maintain knowledge and awareness of plant safety and fire prevention as part of each process execution, varying from process to process. 
• Run simple, medium and complex processes and follow process directives under the general supervision of the Production Manager. Provide accurate calculations of weight, volume and concentrations. 
• Lead a team to execute projects. Ensure the project is completed safely, meeting all quality specifications, and on budget.
• Run, understand and troubleshoot all plant processes and equipment.
• Ensure accurate and up-to-date records are maintained. Communicate with company leaders as required. Provide accurate and timely communication notes to the Production Manager and other team members.
• Maintain the plant and area of operation in clean and safe working conditions, including cleanup of spills from processes.
• Lead by example with a positive attitude. Work effectively with others as a team, and ensure positive and productive work relationships are maintained within the department and company.  
• Train all operators in the understanding and troubleshooting of all equipment and processes.
• Coach and develop a competent and motivated team.

Critical Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Reliability and professionalism.
• Technical/mechanical aptitude.
• Knowledge of plant safety, fire prevention and lockout systems
• Safety-conscious
• Ability to maintain several flows of product simultaneously while processing
• Team player; works with people and other groups effectively with a solid commitment to a team approach to problem-solving.
• Has a positive work attitude and shows initiative.
• Ability to work independently.   
• Ability to perform shift work.   
• Knowledge of GMP, WHMIS and HACCP.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to operate in a stressful environment while staying calm and assessing what is required
• Openness to continual learning. 
• Computer literate; working knowledge of Word and Excel, along with Google equivalents, is an asset.
• Demonstrate leadership and communication skills—Ability to translate and communicate instructions effectively.
• Initiative, excellent problem solving and organizational skills.
• Good interpersonal skills, knowledge, and confidence in the team’s abilities.
• Familiarity with plant systems
• Ability to assess operators as to their strengths and areas they can improve on and assisting them in developing in those areas
• Ability to assess gaps in plans and take counter-measures to ensure the overall goal is still achieved.
• Ability to spearhead new distillery production protocols and implement software systems that our specialists have custom developed
• Daily / weekly monitoring of all hard goods needed for production, keeping them at determined par levels.
• Comprehensive knowledge of our POS (square) & Online shopping platforms (Shopify)

Education & Experience

• Mathematical skills and demonstrable science comprehension
• A diploma or certificate in a related field is an asset
• Experience in related fields is an asset
• Previous forklift operations experience and/or forklift certification
• Smart Serve, WHMIS, First- Aid

Conditions of Employment

• Physical: Lifting of up to 20 Kg  Extensive walking on cement, standing, crouching and bending.
• The nature of the business and work environment may affect individuals who are prone to allergies.
• Availability to work a flexible/rotating schedule. Weekend shifts may be required. Ability to work ten and twelve-hour shifts as needed.
• Working with cleaning chemicals, flammables, hazardous wastes, dust and fumes, acids, and caustics. Work with hot materials, steam and, at times, a wet environment.

Confidentiality

• Work with confidential client/company information

Performance Measurements

• Maintain knowledge in all applicable SOP tests as well as all practical examinations
• Ability to efficiently operate and troubleshoot processing equipment.
• Junior operators are receiving good reviews on their operating skills
• Ability to complete tasks on schedule and within deadlines.