Job Title: Distillery Assistant
About the Company: Umwero Terroir Spirits is a manufacturer of premium alcoholic beverages. We source agricultural produce directly from farmers and transform it into beautiful, artisanal spirits through fermentation and distillation. After 10 months of product development, Umwero is transitioning into its pilot stage where we target to produce 4 cases/month.
We are a young, but ambitious organization. Our goal is to increase production by 20 times within 12 months. In 5 years, we want our spirit brands to have global reach. The distillery assistant position is an opportunity to join Umwero at the start of its journey to become an internationally iconic, “Made-in-Rwanda” brand.
About the role: The distillery assistant position is an entry-level, full-time position. As part of a small team, the assistant distiller should be excited to be involved in the production process at every stage, from juicing sugarcane to operating a traditional, hand-made, copper alembic still. The assistant distiller can expect mentorship and on-the-job training on the science of fermentation, distillation, spirits tasting, and sensory evaluation. The ideal candidate will be excited to keep learning about the beautiful, tasty world of artisanal spirits.
Note: As part of sensory evaluation, distillery assistants will be expected to taste alcohol. It is thus a professional requirement for this role that applicants be able to drink.
Responsibilities:
- Spirits Production: Support spirits production from ingredient sourcing to bottling.
- Facility Management: Ensuring equipment is sanitized and the facility is organized
- Quality Control: Fine-tuning and implementing distillery standard operating procedures to ensure adherence to a high level of excellence
Qualifications:
- Candidate must have a degree in Food sciences, Food Microbiology or Biotechnology
- Past experience (full-time, part-time, or internship) working in food processing (especially beverages) is a major plus.
- Curiosity about alcoholic beverages.
- Strong command of English as the operating and training language will be English.
Personal Traits:
- Initiative and an entrepreneurial mindset.
- Attention to detail.
- An eagerness to learn more.
Compensation:
- Competitive salary
- Medical insurance
- Paid leave as required by law
To apply, send a cover letter, university transcript and resume to jshah.rohan@gmail.com. Please follow the guidance below to draft a strong cover letter for this position. Do send your application by November 11, 2022.
Cover Letter Guidance:
- Your cover letter should be no more than 3 main paragraphs and 1 page long.
- In the first main paragraph, explain why you are interested in the distillery assistant role.
- In the second paragraph, please describe your educational background and how it is relevant to this position. If relevant, list 1-3 courses taken in university that relate to this position.
- In the third paragraph, please describe personal attributes that make you suited to this position.
