Position: Production Intern/s
Internship Period: Full-time internship for six months
Reports To: Lead Distiller
Location: Musanze District, Rwanda, at Virunga Mountain Spirits
Scope/Role: A new craft distillery/agro-tourism site located at the foothills of the Virunga Mountains will open in Musanze, Rwanda in September 2024. The first product will be a premium craft potato vodka made with unloved potatoes sourced from the Winnaz potato crisp factory and local farmer cooperatives. Virunga Mountain Spirits and Kinigi Grill prides itself on producing premium spirits and providing exceptional food, beverages, and service to our patrons. We are looking for two Production Interns to learn all facets of distillation operations.
In this role, you will gain hands-on experience in the craft of spirit production and work closely with the distillation team, assisting in various stages of the production process, ensuring equipment maintenance and cleanliness and contributing to the overall efficiency of our distillery. For all staff and interns, we value a growth mindset, empathy, and eagerness to learn. Highly successful interns may be retained for employment and receive additional training, mentoring and promotion opportunities. Throughout the internship period, the engagement with VMS shall be that of an internship contract, as per the Rwandan labor law.
Responsibilities:
This role requires exceptional attention to detail, physical capability for manual tasks, and flexibility to assist in different areas of the company as needed.
Production Management, under the supervision of the Lead Distiller
Assist the Lead Distiller with the day-to-day cycle of production, aligning production schedules with orders and distribution schedules
- Assist in all production aspects, including mashing, fermenting, distilling spirits, and bottling, labeling, and packaging finished products
- Assist in administrative tasks related to inventory tracking, compliance, quality control, quality assurance and reporting
Equipment Maintenance
- Help maintain all equipment owned and operated by the company, ensuring it functions optimally
- Help clean and rinse equipment used in the production of spirits to meet quality standards
Facility Maintenance
- Contribute to facility maintenance, according to Virunga Mountain Spirits Distillery Cleaning & Production procedures
- Adhere to cleanliness protocols to uphold quality and safety standards
Physical Tasks
- Perform physically demanding tasks, including climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, and completing repetitive motions
- Sit or stand for extended periods of time (approximately 6 hours or more incrementally per day)
While your responsibilities are as described above, you may also be called upon to provide assistance in other areas of the company as needed, such as assisting with raw materials acquisition, distillery tours and cafe duties, as needed.
Required Qualifications:
- Chemistry-related or food science educational background strongly preferred
- Previous work in food and/or beverage industry a plus
- An outstanding work record, including job performance, safety, and attendance
- Excellent English language skills, oral and written, a must
- Openness to skill-building and constant learning
- Demonstrated mathematical (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and computer skills
- Willingness to adhere to and promote VMS standards of safety, quality, and efficiency
- Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
- Cultural competence: experience working with people outside of your home country
- Contribute to a positive work environment focused on continuous learning and improvement
- May require coming early and working late, including holidays and weekends
- Applications should include:
- Cover letter
- Detailed CV
- List of 3 references
- All inquiries and completed applications should be directed via email to:karen@virungamountainspirits.com
- Please do not contact us by phone or Whatsapp regarding your application.