High Ester Team Lead

Leads safe, efficient distillery operations, ensuring quality, schedule adherence, and raw material availability. Manages team performance, supports fermentation and distillation, and ensures compliance and continuous improvement.

General Description of the Role/Position Context

Reporting to the Distillery Manager the professional is responsible for supervising all operations of High Ester Distillery, providing supervisory support to the Main Distillery as required. The High Ester Team Leader is also responsible for all Rum transfers in and out of the High Ester Rum Store.

Mission/Objectives

The High Ester Team Lead aspires to be an individual who demonstrates the core competencies of Passion, Integrity, Pragmatism and Togetherness while on the job. The professional must respond to the needs of the organization in an efficient, quality oriented, safe and cost-effective manner while maintaining excellent customer satisfaction and preserving staff morale. The High Ester Team Lead achieves this in ways that demonstrates teamwork, to accomplish the desired objectives of the company through good manufacturing practices, synergy, and innovation. This will ensure that sustainability, growth, and value for all will be realized within the company and its environment.

Key Activities & Responsibilities

• Supervise distillery operations to ensure efficiency in fermentation, alcohol recovery, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Ensure all fermenters and distilled rums meet quality standards for production and shipment.
• Collaborate with Liquid Planning to draft and execute the annual High Ester Rum production schedule.
• Monitor adherence to production schedules to meet shipment deadlines.
• Analyze forecasts to identify supply gaps and coordinate with planners to resolve constraints.
• Manage cane juice orders and deliveries, ensuring raw material availability for fermentation.
• Oversee daily fermenter operations and schedule fermentation and cleaning for both distilleries.
• Maintain accurate records for production, inventory, and documentation in compliance with QHSE.
• Lead and support fermentation and distillation processes, including technical inspections and testing.
• Manage team performance, training, staffing, and implement process improvements and equipment calibration.

Experience Required

• Thorough knowledge of all processes carried out and equipment used in the High Ester and Main Distillery Areas
• Capable of sensory evaluation and analysis of GC results.
• At least 05 years of relevant experience in the role and 02 years as a supervisor.
• Good knowledge of Distillation Processes.
• Human relation and time management skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Proficient in Microsoft office software.

Education / Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Production Operations or a Chemistry related field.

Functional Competencies

• Working knowledge of gas chromatography equipment and its application in quality control.
• Familiarity with shop floor operations and techniques used in fermentation and distillation processes.
• Understanding of lean principles to support efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of practices that empower operators to maintain equipment and prevent breakdowns.
• Awareness of safety principles relevant to manufacturing environments.
• Understanding of food safety fundamentals and regulatory expectations.
• Knowledge of HACCP, ISO standards, and food safety protocols as required by JWN.
• Working understanding of the Quality Management System and its operational application.

Technical

• Heightened technical ability.
• Proficient in Kronos timekeeping software
• Training in Root Cause Analysis and Continuous Improvement Techniques
• Training in Performance Management Principles
• Organizational Competencies