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Whiskey Distillery Operations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Journeyman Distillery

Distiller

Three Oaks, MI · On-site

$14 - $19.25/hr

Oversee the production of grain and other product ingredients for distillery operations. * Mill ... Communicate with staff and educate guests about whiskey process and history. * Blend aged product ...

Ijw-Whiskey-Company

Associate Chemist

Louisville, KY · On-site

$23.25 - $30.75/hr

Our ambitious growth trajectory includes a new whiskey distillery in Shelbyville, KY, slated for ... Key ResponsibilitiesAnalytical Testing & Laboratory Operations * Conduct analyses of raw materials ...

Still Austin Whiskey Co.

Project Manager

Austin, TX · On-site

Still Austin Whiskey Co. is the first true grain-to-glass whiskey distillery to open in Austin ... Serve as the operational hub connecting Marketing, Sales, Production, Hospitality, Operations, and ...

Still Austin Whiskey Co

Project Manager

Austin, TX · On-site

... to-glass whiskey distillery to open in Austin since the end of Prohibition. Founded in 2015, we ... Serve as the operational hub connecting Marketing, Sales, Production, Hospitality, Operations, and ...

IJW Whiskey Company

Supply Chain Manager

Louisville, KY · On-site

$100K - $115K/yr

Our ambitious growth trajectory includes a new whiskey distillery in Shelbyville, KY, slated for ... Supply Chain Operations & Optimization * Own end-to-end supply chain operations for finished goods ...

IJW Whiskey Company

Associate Chemist

Louisville, KY · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Our ambitious growth trajectory includes a new whiskey distillery in Shelbyville, KY, slated for ... Key Responsibilities Analytical Testing & Laboratory Operations * Conduct analyses of raw materials ...

Still Austin Whiskey Co

Project Manager

Austin, TX · On-site

... to-glass whiskey distillery to open in Austin since the end of Prohibition. Founded in 2015, we ... Serve as the operational hub connecting Marketing, Sales, Production, Hospitality, Operations, and ...

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Whiskey Distillery Operations information

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How much do whiskey distillery operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for whiskey distillery operations in the United States is $26.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $30.29 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are whiskey distillery operations?

Whiskey distillery operations refer to the processes and tasks involved in producing whiskey at a distillery. This includes activities such as sourcing raw materials (like grains and water), mashing, fermentation, distillation, aging, and bottling. Operations staff are responsible for maintaining equipment, ensuring quality control, adhering to safety and legal regulations, and optimizing production efficiency. The goal is to create a consistent, high-quality whiskey that meets the distillery’s standards and consumer expectations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in whiskey distillery operations?

To thrive in Whiskey Distillery Operations, you need a solid understanding of fermentation, distillation, and aging processes, often supported by a degree in chemistry, food science, or a related field. Familiarity with distillation equipment, quality control systems, and compliance with safety and regulatory standards is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for maintaining high product quality and efficient operations. These skills ensure consistent whiskey production, adherence to regulations, and a safe, collaborative work environment.

What are some common challenges faced in whiskey distillery operations, and how can new employees effectively overcome them?

One common challenge in whiskey distillery operations is maintaining product consistency while adhering to strict quality and safety standards. New employees may also find the physical demands and the need to closely monitor multiple production stages, such as mashing, fermentation, and distillation, to be challenging. Effective communication with colleagues in different departments—such as quality control, maintenance, and logistics—is essential for smooth operations. To overcome these challenges, new team members should prioritize learning standard operating procedures, seek guidance from experienced staff, and remain proactive in addressing issues as they arise.

What are popular job titles related to Whiskey Distillery Operations jobs?

For Whiskey Distillery Operations jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Whiskey Distillery Operations job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 9% Internship, 46% As Needed, 5% Full Time, 38% Nights, and 2% Summer. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $54,588 per year, or $26.2 per hour.

Director of Sensory & Distillery Quality Control

Louisville, KY • On-site

Heaven Hill Brands
Beverage Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Heaven Hill Brandsexternal

Other

Posted 23 days ago

Heaven Hill Brands rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

This role is based either in Louisville or Bardstown, KY. Frequent travel between our Kentucky locations will be required, along with travel to other Heaven Hill sites as necessary.

What the Role Is

The Director of Sensory & Distillery Quality Control will lead and institutionalize a world-class, enterprise-wide sensory and quality program across our distilled spirits portfolio. This role carries end-to-end responsibility for sensory strategy, panel governance, distillery quality control, and blending strategy, ensuring products consistently meet brand standards from raw materials through fermentation, distillation, maturation, blending, and bottling.
 
The Director will establish sensory as a core pillar of quality management and decision-making, while integrating microbiological control, fermentation performance, analytical data, process controls, and consumer insights into a unified framework. The role requires deep technical expertise in distilled spirits, particularly across fermentation, maturation, blending, and production systems, strong leadership capability, and the credibility to influence production, maturation, and executive teams.
 
The Director will also provide strategic leadership on blending philosophy and aged whiskey utilization, including long-term sensory and quality strategy for inventory originating from both the Bernheim and Springs distilleries. This role will partner closely with operations, maturation, Brand Teams, and FP&A to optimize blending approaches, protect brand integrity, support inventory management decisions, and maximize the value and consistency of aged inventory.

How You Will Spend Your Time?

Distilled Spirits Quality Control Leadership

  • Lead quality control programs across all distillery operations, from grain handling through fermentation, distillation, and maturation
  • Establish and oversee microbiological control strategies across fermentation and processing systems
  • Define, implement, and enforce process control standards in partnership with production teams
  • Provide technical leadership on fermentation performance, contamination risk, and yeast management practices
  • Establish sensory and analytical checkpoints throughout the production lifecycle to ensure early detection of deviations
  • Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for quality issues across sites
  • Lead sensory and quality strategy related to blending and aged whiskey inventory management, including future utilization strategies for whiskey produced at both the Bernheim and Springs distilleries
  • Partner with operations, maturation, and commercial teams to ensure blending strategies align with brand standards, inventory objectives, and long-term product consistency
  • Oversee new make quality standards, retention programs, and long-term product monitoring

Enterprise Sensory Strategy & Governance

  • Design, implement, and continuously improve a company-wide sensory program across all brands and production sites
  • Establish standardized sensory methodologies, lexicons, and evaluation protocols
  • Define and maintain sensory quality standards aligned with brand profiles and specifications
  • Ensure alignment between fermentation/process performance and downstream sensory outcomes

Panel Development & Oversight

  • Build, train, and maintain high-performing sensory panels across all production facilities and key supply partners
  • Develop and implement training, calibration, and requalification programs
  • Monitor and validate panel performance using statistical tools
  • Provide governance and technical oversight of local sensory panels

Statistical Rigor & Data Integration

  • Establish robust statistical frameworks for sensory and in-process QA/QC data
  • Ensur

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