Packaging & Production Associate

Thistle Finch Distilling; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO after 3 months

Job summary

Thistle Finch Distilling in Lancaster, PA seeks a Packaging & Production Associate to join our full-time team. You’ll operate bottling and canning lines, assist with blending and distilling, and help prepare orders for shipment in a hands-on, small-batch setting.

This role requires reliability, mechanical aptitude, and the ability to lift 50 lbs and stand all shift; prior beverage industry experience is a plus, with on‑the‑job training offered.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Experience on a bottling, canning, or other production line preferred.
• Beverage industry experience is a plus; we will train the right person.
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort with basic equipment troubleshooting.
• Attention to detail: counts, measurements, and records must be accurate.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and as part of a team.
• Comfortable lifting 50 lbs from ground level and standing for a full shift.
• Pallet jack or forklift experience is a plus.
• Basic computer literacy (email, spreadsheets, data entry).
• Valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Set up, run, and clean the bottling line: fill, cap or cork, label, and case bottles.
• Run the canning line: fill, seal, code, and pack cans into 4-packs and cases.
• Check quality during each run: fill levels, closures, labels, and codes; report non-conforming product.
• Change over the lines between products, bottle sizes, and can formats.
• Clean, sanitize, and do basic maintenance on packaging equipment; troubleshoot jams and stoppages.
• Record batch numbers, lot codes, and case counts for each packaging run.
• Help with blending, proofing, filtering, and mixing of spirits and canned cocktails.
• Measure and record proof, volume, and temperature; follow recipes and batch sheets exactly.
• Move, fill, and empty tanks, totes, and barrels; keep production data for reports.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Attention to detail

Independent worker

Team player

Forklift or pallet jack

Basic computer literacy

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Packaging & Production Associate – Full Time

Location : Lancaster, PA

Schedule : Monday – Friday

Compensation : $20/hour

PTO : 10 days PTO after 3 months

Reports To : Operations Manager – Ben Line (packaging and fulfillment); Head Distiller – Arvin Alston (production)

About Us

Thistle Finch Distilling is an independent craft distillery based in Lancaster, PA. We distill on a copper pot still in the cellar of a historic tobacco warehouse, and we run our own bottling and canning lines. Our portfolio includes Thistle Finch , our line of premium small-batch spirits, including our award-winning bottled-in-bond rye whiskey; Shifty Drinks , a collection of ready-to-drink canned cocktails and seltzers; Triage Spirits , our line of value-driven well spirits for bars and restaurants, made with the same attention to quality; and Cardellino Spirits , our Italian-style amaro and liqueurs.

We are looking for a motivated and reliable person to join our production team full time. Your main job is to get our spirits and cocktails into bottles and cans, ready for the shelf. You will also help make, blend, and proof our spirits, and help prepare orders for shipment. This is a physically active, hands-on role in a growing craft spirits company, with the chance to learn every step from the still to the shelf.

Key Responsibilities

Packaging [primary]

• Set up, run, and clean the bottling line : fill, cap or cork, label, and case bottles
• Run the canning line : fill, seal, code, and pack cans into 4-packs and cases
• Check quality during each run: fill levels, closures, labels, and codes; pull and report any product that is not to standard
• Change over the lines between products, bottle sizes, and can formats
• Clean, sanitize, and do basic maintenance on packaging equipment; troubleshoot jams and stoppages
• Keep packaging materials stocked (glass, cans, closures, labels, cartons) and tell your supervisor when supplies run low
• Record batch numbers, lot codes, and case counts for each packaging run

Production [secondary]

• Help with blending, proofing, filtering, and mixing of spirits and canned cocktail batches
• Measure and record proof, volume, and temperature; follow recipes and batch sheets exactly
• Move, fill, and empty tanks, totes, and barrels
• Assist with mashing, fermenting, and distilling of rye whiskey and other spirits
• Keep accurate records of recipes, batch notes, and production data for our federal (TTB) reports

Fulfillment [as needed]

• Pick, pack, and stack customer orders on pallets
• Prepare shipments and load trucks
• Deliver customer orders locally when needed
• Help keep the warehouse organized and inventory counts accurate
• Follow safety rules for high-proof spirits, cleaning chemicals, and equipment
• Keep production, packaging, and warehouse areas clean and organized

Skills & Experience

• High school diploma or GED
• Experience on a bottling, canning, or other production line preferred
• Beverage industry experience is a plus; we will train the right person
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort with basic equipment troubleshooting
• Attention to detail : counts, measurements, and records must be accurate
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision , and as part of a team
• Comfortable lifting 50 lbs from ground level and standing for a full shift
• Pallet jack or forklift experience is a plus
• Basic computer literacy (email, spreadsheets, data entry)
• Valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License