Quality Chemist

The Bardstown Bourbon Company

Position: Quality Chemist

Shift: Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, overtime as needed

Status: Salaried

Company/Location Overview

No secrets. No myths. No fabricated stories.

Bardstown Bourbon Company is a new blend of bourbon makers creating the next industry standard through unparalleled transparency, collaboration, and innovation.

The International Wine and Spirits Competition has honored Bardstown Bourbon Company with the prestigious award of Worldwide Whiskey Producer of the Year for 2023.

With the most technically advanced and sophisticated distillery in the country, our pledge of transparency is on full display through open spaces and clear glass, putting the art and science of whiskey-making front and center for all to see. In the heart of the Bourbon Capital of the World TM , Bardstown Bourbon Co. produces not only our own award-winning and highly sought-after blended bourbons, ryes and finished whiskies, but custom distills and ages whiskies for many brands, from start-up pours to established top shelves.

We are the premiere destination on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail ® , combining distilling, culinary, and beverage expertise to create a modern, authentic experience that will engage and delight the bourbon novice and the most sophisticated aficionado.

At our on-site restaurant, Bardstown Bourbon Co. Kitchen and Bar, visitors enjoy chef-driven yet approachable Southern cuisine with international flair paired with creative cocktails, a vast collection of spirits, curated wine list, and our one-of-a-kind Vintage Library, our ode to distilling history stocked with old and rare finds dating back to the 19th century.

Green River Distillery is in Owensboro and is the 10th oldest distillery in the state producing more than 90,000 barrels of bourbon and rye for its own brands and partners. They produce the flagship Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey which started in 1885 and was re-launched in February 2022.

At Bardstown Bourbon Company, see how we are moving the industry forward and NEVER STANDING STILL. For more information, please visit www.bardstownbourbon.com and www.greenriverdistilling.com

Job Description/Responsibilities

All employees of The Bardstown Bourbon Company must have the following characteristics:

• Appreciate and provide excellent customer service.
• Comfortable interacting daily with distillery customers as well as tour groups and guests in a hospitality focused environment.
• Excellent team player.
  
  

Position Summary

An experience individual to help lead the Distillery lab towards driving quality products and processes. Must be experienced in laboratory wet methods as well as analytical techniques such as chromatography and maintenance of this equipment. In addition to laboratory knowledge, background in the fermentation/distillation process is a plus to work collaboratively with the Distillery team.

This Position Requires The Following

• Ability to be flexible on scheduling. This position may have to backfill for lab needs during weekend, evenings, and holidays as needed.
• Lab certification accreditations.
• Track Quality KPI’s in the Distillery.
• Sensory Scores.
• Beer Chemistry.
• Analytical Trending.
• Develop/Implement Quality relevant Work Instructions.
• Participate in and lead organoleptic sensory team activities.
• Manage lab supply inventory for the distillery.
• Ensure housekeeping in distillery labs is maintained.
• Conduct regular analysis using HPLC, GC-FID, and GC-MS of fermentation beer and distillate.
• Build methods on HPLC and GC instrumentation for continuous capabilities.
• Analyze results from analytical equipment to observe trends and outliers.
• Oversee day to day quality activities and testing.
• Whole and milled grain analysis.
• Proofing.
• Total acids.
• Balling/Brix.
• pH.
• Yeast cell count and viability.
• Ensure calibration, planned/unplanned maintenance is conducted of lab equipment.
• Density Meters.
• pH Meters.
• Titrators.
• Brix analysis devices.
• HPLC.
• GC-FID & GC/MS.
• Participate in root cause analysis.
• Support CAPEX project initiatives when necessary.
• Responsible for all regulatory/legal compliance in TTB adherence on product specifications while ensuring documentation is complete, accurate and on time.
• Support other departments as needed to ensure Quality is maintained.
• Drive for continuous improvement of the facility and its processes.
• Support Quality and Food Safety initiatives (HACCP, ISO 9001, FSSC 22000)
• Commitment for the Company’s ISO program including the quality and food safety of our products.
• Other duties as assigned by management.
  
  

Qualifications/Requirements

The successful candidate will have:

• Preferred 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field (Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, etc).
• Minimum 2-3 years in a laboratory environment.
• Minimum 1-3 years in the Beverage Ethanol Industry.
• Must be able to take direction from management.
• Have good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Be accurate and consistent in performing duties.
• Proficient analytical and technical skills.
  
  

Physical requirements

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met

by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job:

• Must be able to stand; use hands to fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; walk; sit; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and occasionally required to climb or balance.
• Must be able to work in high temperature environment.
• Must be able to physically navigate around a plant/production environment, including the repetitive climbing of stairs and elevated walkways.
• Must not be afraid of working heights and be able to ascend and descend ladders, as appropriate.
  
  

The Bardstown Bourbon Company is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of The Bardstown Bourbon Company to provide full and equal employment opportunities to all employees and potential employees, without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.