Wild Cider
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Head Cider Maker
Location: Firestone, Colorado (On-site) About Us
Wild Cider is an independent cidery producing award-winning ciders in Colorado. We’re entering a pivotal growth stage: scaling production capacity, strengthening quality systems, and building the operational foundation to triple output in the next 24 months. We need a Head Cider Maker who is both a skilled fermenter and an operational leader — someone who can bring immediate steadiness to the cellar while building the systems and team that will support consistent growth. The Role
The Head Cider Maker will take ownership of the production floor from day one, focusing first on ensuring consistent quality and reliable fulfillment, then on building for scale. This role requires a balance of hands-on production expertise and a big-picture operational mindset. We’re looking for someone who brings curiosity and openness to the role: able to assess existing practices, apply proven best practices, and adapt processes where needed to deliver the highest standards of quality and consistency. This role balances three priorities: Deliver consistent, high-quality product Implement operational discipline and efficiency Build and lead a team rooted in accountability and best practices Key Responsibilities
Stabilization & Production Leadership Quickly evaluate production workflows and implement improvements where needed. Lead all aspects of cider production: fermentation, blending, carbonation, packaging. Standardize recipes and processes for consistency across SKUs. Troubleshoot production challenges and apply solutions that support long-term reliability. Operations & Scale-Up Design and implement SOPs that ensure repeatability, efficiency, and safety. Establish and manage QA/QC systems, including lab testing, sensory panels, and recordkeeping. Oversee inventory management: raw materials, packaging, finished goods. Partner with ownership on capital planning (tanks, glycol, pasteurization, facility upgrades). Optimize facility layout and workflow for safety and efficiency. Team & Culture Recruit, train, and manage cellar and packaging staff. Build a culture of accountability, safety, and compliance to best practices. Mentor staff into leadership roles as production scales. Encourage an open-minded, solutions-focused approach to production. Compliance as Discipline Ensure all production activities are logged accurately and traceably. Embed compliance into daily operations — SOPs, sanitation, QA/QC, and safety as standard practice. Maintain clean records and documentation that support ownership’s TTB, LED, and FDA filings. Keep the team and facility inspection-ready at all times. Qualifications
5+ years in cider, brewing, or winemaking, with proven leadership in a production environment. Track record of stabilizing operations and leading teams through growth. Deep knowledge of fermentation, blending, carbonation, and packaging processes. Operational mindset: skilled at designing SOPs, implementing QA/QC, and driving efficiency. Familiarity with regulatory requirements (TTB, FDA, LED) and how they translate to production discipline. Mechanical aptitude; able to maintain and troubleshoot equipment. Ability to recruit, train, and lead production staff. Open-minded and adaptable: confident in proven methods but willing to refine processes for better results. 18–24 Month Roadmap
0–30 Days (Stabilize & Steady Operations) Gain a clear picture of current fermentations, packaging readiness, and cellar workflows. Ensure reliable fulfillment of distributor and taproom orders. Put simple, consistent daily practices in place (logging, sanitation checks, gravity readings). Build trust with ownership, consultant(s), and staff by aligning on priorities and immediate needs. 30–90 Days (Lay the Foundation) Document and begin implementing core SOPs for fermentation, blending, packaging, and sanitation. Standardize recipes and processes to deliver reliable consistency across SKUs. Introduce short-cycle QA/QC checks (sensory panels, recordkeeping). Establish a production schedule aligned with distributor and taproom demand. Ensure production data aligns with compliance and excise reporting requirements. 3–6 Months (Consistency & Confidence) Deliver multiple consecutive production cycles with consistent product quality. Launch a structured QA/QC program, integrating sensory and lab testing. Tighten inventory management for raw materials, packaging, and finished goods. Train team members to confidently follow SOPs and reinforce culture of accountability. Demonstrate reliable on-time fulfillment of distributor orders. 6–12 Months (Build Capacity & Team) Recruit, train, and mentor cellar/packaging staff as needed. Partner with ownership on capital planning (tanks, glycol, pasteurization, layout). Implement performance metrics (yield, loss rates, downtime, labor efficiency). Optimize workflows for efficiency, safety, and scalability. Achieve ~1,200–1,500 barrels annualized production while protecting quality and margin. 12–24 Months (Foundation for Growth) Scale production to ~2,000 barrels annually with consistency and efficiency. Fully embed a culture of compliance and best practices: SOPs, QA/QC, sanitation are second nature. Maintain clean, audit-ready documentation supporting TTB, LED, and FDA requirements. Empower a self-sufficient production team ready to take on the next phase of growth (3,000+ barrels). Seniority level
Mid-Senior level Employment type
Full-time We’re removing boilerplate and irrelevant notices to focus on the role and its requirements.
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Location: Firestone, Colorado (On-site) About Us
Wild Cider is an independent cidery producing award-winning ciders in Colorado. We’re entering a pivotal growth stage: scaling production capacity, strengthening quality systems, and building the operational foundation to triple output in the next 24 months. We need a Head Cider Maker who is both a skilled fermenter and an operational leader — someone who can bring immediate steadiness to the cellar while building the systems and team that will support consistent growth. The Role
The Head Cider Maker will take ownership of the production floor from day one, focusing first on ensuring consistent quality and reliable fulfillment, then on building for scale. This role requires a balance of hands-on production expertise and a big-picture operational mindset. We’re looking for someone who brings curiosity and openness to the role: able to assess existing practices, apply proven best practices, and adapt processes where needed to deliver the highest standards of quality and consistency. This role balances three priorities: Deliver consistent, high-quality product Implement operational discipline and efficiency Build and lead a team rooted in accountability and best practices Key Responsibilities
Stabilization & Production Leadership Quickly evaluate production workflows and implement improvements where needed. Lead all aspects of cider production: fermentation, blending, carbonation, packaging. Standardize recipes and processes for consistency across SKUs. Troubleshoot production challenges and apply solutions that support long-term reliability. Operations & Scale-Up Design and implement SOPs that ensure repeatability, efficiency, and safety. Establish and manage QA/QC systems, including lab testing, sensory panels, and recordkeeping. Oversee inventory management: raw materials, packaging, finished goods. Partner with ownership on capital planning (tanks, glycol, pasteurization, facility upgrades). Optimize facility layout and workflow for safety and efficiency. Team & Culture Recruit, train, and manage cellar and packaging staff. Build a culture of accountability, safety, and compliance to best practices. Mentor staff into leadership roles as production scales. Encourage an open-minded, solutions-focused approach to production. Compliance as Discipline Ensure all production activities are logged accurately and traceably. Embed compliance into daily operations — SOPs, sanitation, QA/QC, and safety as standard practice. Maintain clean records and documentation that support ownership’s TTB, LED, and FDA filings. Keep the team and facility inspection-ready at all times. Qualifications
5+ years in cider, brewing, or winemaking, with proven leadership in a production environment. Track record of stabilizing operations and leading teams through growth. Deep knowledge of fermentation, blending, carbonation, and packaging processes. Operational mindset: skilled at designing SOPs, implementing QA/QC, and driving efficiency. Familiarity with regulatory requirements (TTB, FDA, LED) and how they translate to production discipline. Mechanical aptitude; able to maintain and troubleshoot equipment. Ability to recruit, train, and lead production staff. Open-minded and adaptable: confident in proven methods but willing to refine processes for better results. 18–24 Month Roadmap
0–30 Days (Stabilize & Steady Operations) Gain a clear picture of current fermentations, packaging readiness, and cellar workflows. Ensure reliable fulfillment of distributor and taproom orders. Put simple, consistent daily practices in place (logging, sanitation checks, gravity readings). Build trust with ownership, consultant(s), and staff by aligning on priorities and immediate needs. 30–90 Days (Lay the Foundation) Document and begin implementing core SOPs for fermentation, blending, packaging, and sanitation. Standardize recipes and processes to deliver reliable consistency across SKUs. Introduce short-cycle QA/QC checks (sensory panels, recordkeeping). Establish a production schedule aligned with distributor and taproom demand. Ensure production data aligns with compliance and excise reporting requirements. 3–6 Months (Consistency & Confidence) Deliver multiple consecutive production cycles with consistent product quality. Launch a structured QA/QC program, integrating sensory and lab testing. Tighten inventory management for raw materials, packaging, and finished goods. Train team members to confidently follow SOPs and reinforce culture of accountability. Demonstrate reliable on-time fulfillment of distributor orders. 6–12 Months (Build Capacity & Team) Recruit, train, and mentor cellar/packaging staff as needed. Partner with ownership on capital planning (tanks, glycol, pasteurization, layout). Implement performance metrics (yield, loss rates, downtime, labor efficiency). Optimize workflows for efficiency, safety, and scalability. Achieve ~1,200–1,500 barrels annualized production while protecting quality and margin. 12–24 Months (Foundation for Growth) Scale production to ~2,000 barrels annually with consistency and efficiency. Fully embed a culture of compliance and best practices: SOPs, QA/QC, sanitation are second nature. Maintain clean, audit-ready documentation supporting TTB, LED, and FDA requirements. Empower a self-sufficient production team ready to take on the next phase of growth (3,000+ barrels). Seniority level
Mid-Senior level Employment type
Full-time We’re removing boilerplate and irrelevant notices to focus on the role and its requirements.
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