Hands-On Cider Production Lead

Citizen Cider, LLC.; Burlington (VT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

2 weeks PTO in the first year

Employer sponsored health insurance

Pre-tax 401K contributions

Employer paid Short Term Disability

Job summary

Citizen Cider, LLC in Burlington, Vermont is looking for a Lead Cellar Operator to lead hands-on cider production from pressing through fermentation, blending and packaging, ensuring quality and food safety. The role requires 3-5 years in beverage production with strong attention to detail and leadership of a cellar team.

The successful candidate will work directly in the cellar and on the production floor, providing direction and support to the production team and collaborating on co-packing

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in beverage production, cider making, brewing, winemaking, or a closely related field.
• Hands-on experience with fermentation and cellar operations.
• Strong understanding of sanitation and food-safety practices.
• Experience with blending and packaging preferred.
• Ability to operate and troubleshoot production equipment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality.
• Ability to work independently and make sound production decisions.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to work in a physically demanding production environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and perform day-to-day cider production activities.
• Manage apple receiving and pressing.
• Oversee juice transfers, fermentation, nutrient additions, and fermentation monitoring.
• Monitor fermentation progress and make adjustments as needed to achieve desired cider characteristics.
• Maintain daily accurate production records, batch information, and cellar logs.
• Ensure production schedules are met while maintaining product quality.
• Manage cellar operations including transfers, filtration, carbonation, stabilization, and blending.
• Assist with recipe execution and maintain consistency across batches.
• Maintain clean, organized, and efficient cellar and production areas.
• Conduct routine quality checks throughout the production process.
• Monitor cider for flavor, aroma, appearance, carbonation, and other quality characteristics.
• Follow established sanitation, cleaning, and food‑safety procedures.
• Ensure equipment and production areas are properly cleaned and maintained.
• Identify and address quality or production issues promptly.
• Maintain compliance with applicable food‑safety and production requirements.
• Provide hands‑on leadership and direction to production staff.
• Train employees on production procedures, equipment operation, sanitation, and safety.
• Assist with production scheduling and staffing needs.
• Assign daily tasks and ensure production priorities are clearly communicated.
• Lead by example and maintain a positive, professional, and safety‑focused work environment.
• Operate and oversee the proper use of tanks, pumps, hoses, filtration equipment, packaging equipment, and other cider‑making equipment.
• Perform routine equipment checks and communicate maintenance needs.
• Help troubleshoot production and equipment issues.
• Maintain an organized, clean, and safe production facility

Skills

Beverage production

Fermentation

Sanitation

Leadership

Equipment troubleshooting

Job description

Citizen Cider, LLC in Burlington, Vermont is looking for a Lead Cellar Operator to lead hands-on cider production from pressing through fermentation, blending and packaging, ensuring quality and food safety. The role requires 3-5 years in beverage production with strong attention to detail and leadership of a cellar team.

The successful candidate will work directly in the cellar and on the production floor, providing direction and support to the production team and collaborating on co-packing