Distillery Quality Specialist

Want to be a crowd-stopper rather than a crowd-pleaser? Become a Camparista

At this point, you may not know exactly what it takes to be a Camparista , but you have the makings to be one of us. We’re the independent minded and passionate achievers in the spirits industry, innovating the iconic.

Be Part of Our Signature Mix

Company: Campari America

Job Title:  Distillery Quality Specialist

Job Location: Lawrenceburg, KY

Reports to:   Distillery Chemist

Organizational Layer (global, regional, or local):  Local

Company Mission and Objectives

To provide superior support to operations as well as other facets of the business by providing knowledge, expertise, and data accuracy while driving continuous improvement and problem solving.

General Description of the Role

The Distillery Quality  Specialist will support Distillery Operations for the Campari. This position is responsible for the application and adherence of all quality control systems designed to ensure continuous production of product consistent with established standards, Campari specifications, customer expectations, and production goals.

Key Responsibilities and Activities

  Safety:

• Follow prescribed PPE safety and clothing requirements for the designated work areas.
• Ensure all suppliers and vendors comply with relevant ISO and food safety standards. 

  Quality:

• Support the Distillery operations by performing routine chemical, sensory, and biological analytical testing.
• Provide accurate and reliable measurement data by ensuring all testing is done per procedure and results are properly documented and reported.
• Assist in managing laboratory instrumentation including calibration/validation, troubleshooting, and general equipment maintenance.
• Ensure all Global End to End testing is being adhered to, including on GC and Distillery testing.
• Set up, tear down and analyze sensory samples for Single Barrels, Distillate, Anniversary Samples, etc.
• Keep and maintain laboratory records (lab notebooks, etc.).
• Ensure that all materials and products throughout the distillation process comply with specifications. 
• Conduct and oversee inspection activity for materials throughout the distillery production cycle, including incoming raw materials and ingredients approvals, cooking/mashing, fermentation, and distillation.
• Work to develop quality inspection and testing procedures and criteria in support of the Distillery Operations and Quality Laboratory teams and assist in internal audits as requested.
• Work with distillery employees on inspection and testing activities to ensure high productivity and high technical integrity.
• Ensure products of the highest quality representative of Campari and customer expectations. 
• Comply with all GMP, ISO, and food safety standards related to the distillery operation.
• Work with appropriate internal stakeholders to resolve identified quality risks. 
• Work with Regional and Global Quality teams to resolve any critical quality issues as defined by the Regional Quality Director, Plant Director, or Distillery Chemist.
• Interpret quality control philosophy and communicate to key personnel outside of Campari’s Quality Department.

Efficiency:

• Ensure all required testing is completed in a timely manner and meets the needs of Distillery Operations and the Quality Department.
• Identify and participate in cost saving measures, supporting Regional and Global Supply Chain departments within Campari.
• Ensure all testing and equipment records are accurately completed and recorded per retention policy.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned by management.

Key Relationships

  Internal:

• Campari’s Lawrenceburg Site Quality Team
• Regional and Global Quality Management
• Regional and Global R&D and Technical Teams
• Environment, Health, and Safety Department (EH&S)
• Distillery and Site Operations Management
• Distillery Operations Staff

  External: 

• TTB – the Federal Tax and Trade Bureau – tasked with regulating the beverage alcohol industry in the U.S.
• Suppliers of laboratory equipment and materials/chemicals
• Instrument manufacturers’ technical service and support representatives
• Raw material and ingredient suppliers
• Third-party consumer feedback and advocacy groups

Experience Required

• A minimum of 1-3 years’ experience performing analytical testing in the fields of chemistry and/or biology (college coursework included).
• Previous industry experience in a manufacturing Quality Control lab performing physical/chemical/biological analysis is highly desired.
• A minimum of 1-3 years’ experience with Microsoft Excel required.
• Experience in food/beverage, beverage alcohol, or distillation industries is a plus.
• A background in advanced chemical analysis (e.g., GC, GC-MS, HPLC, etc.) and sensory analysis is a plus.
• Experience with performing analytical methods as per established procedure.
• Experience working with high performance teams.

Education / Professional Qualifications

• Required: A Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Quality, Food Science, or related technical field.

Skills  

• Strong chemistry and mathematical skills are required.
• Knowledge of safe handling of hazardous materials, laboratory chemicals, and sensitive equipment is required.
• Must be capable of performing sensory analysis for visual, aroma, and/or taste of products that contain alcohol. A screening test to check for physiological deficiencies in organoleptic perception may be conducted prior to hire (color vision deficiency, anosmia, etc.).
• Ability to analyze statistical data to establish quality of end products and in-process materials.
• Provide technical support to teams.
• Quality orientation and high attention to detail.
• Problem analysis and problem resolution skills.
• Effective verbal and written communicator, to include interaction with internal and external customers.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• A working knowledge of TTB regulations, ISO requirements and Food Safety processes to include HACCP is a plus.

Managerial

Other

Essential Job Functions

• Problem solving skills, attention to detail and customer service orientation are essential functions of this role.
• Must have strong analytical skills and be able to read and analyze available data.
• Must be able to follow technical directions, either via instruction or from reading technical documents, and reliably execute.
• Must have the ability to work independently and prioritize/multi-task in a high-speed manufacturing environment to meet production demands.
• Physically able to navigate a plant/production environment – including the climbing of stairs, elevated walkways etc. - and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Willingness to work independently on off-shifts, weekends and holidays, as necessary.

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

At Campari Group we believe in building more value together, thus we see diversity in all forms as a source of enrichment. Our employment policies and practices ensure that we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all aspects of employment without regard to any individual’s race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or characteristics or expression, political affiliation or activity, age, veteran status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Note to applicants:

Your application will be assessed based on your abilities, expertise, general knowledge and experience, not because of any confidential, proprietary or trade secret information you may possess. You must not disclose to Campari Group any such information. In the event that you are asked a question that cannot be answered without disclosure of any confidential, proprietary or trade secret information (including from a current or prior employer or their vendors or customers), you must decline to answer the question.

Notice to third party agencies:

Please refrain from cold-calling or emailing our executive leadership team or the HR community directly. The Talent Acquisition department manages centralized recruiting operations globally, including the selection and management of external suppliers. Currently, our preferred supplier list is at full capacity. To ensure we have your information on file for future consideration, we kindly request that you complete the online form provided here.