Job Vacancies
Title: Gin Distiller
Location: Roudham, Norfolk, England (NR16 2QW)
Company: The English Distillery
Salary: £28,000 – £40,000 per annum (or hourly equivalent), depending on experience and by negotiation.
Join the Pioneers of English Whisky
As England’s first registered whisky distillery in over a century and home to the "World's Best Single Malt" (2024), The English Distillery is looking for a passionate and experienced Distiller to join our award-winning team & be a founding Gin Distiller. This is a unique opportunity to work with world-class spirits in a family-run business that values tradition, quality, and a pioneering spirit.
The Role
You will be a key member of our production team, working across both our whisky and gin distilling floors. While you will be instrumental in our established whisky production, we are looking for someone with a creative edge to lead the development of our Gin and Vodka product lines, helping us expand our portfolio of exceptional spirits.
Working Hours & Patterns
- Standard Hours: 40 hours per week.
- Typical Schedule: Monday to Friday, though flexibility is required to meet production demands.
- Events & Shows: Some weeks will require noticeably longer hours and weekend work when representing the distillery at Trade and Retail shows.
- Overtime & Flexibility: For additional hours worked during shows or peak periods, you will have the choice between paid overtime or Time Off In Lieu (TOIL).
- Contract Type: We are open to discussing either a salaried or hourly pay structure during the negotiation stage.
A Typical Week Includes:
- Production: Operating stills for whisky, gin, and vodka production.
- Quality & Inventory: Managing cask sampling, regauging, and ensuring our spirits meet our exacting standards.
- Operations: Milling, mashing, distilling Whisky & maceration and distilling of white spirits. Cask filling, disgorging and sampling plus bottling process to ensure "barley to bottle" excellence.
- Brand Ambassadorship: Leading expert distillery tours and representing The English Distillery at Trade and Retail shows.
About You
We are looking for a distiller who combines technical expertise with a natural passion for the craft. To be successful, you will need:
- Qualifications: A formal distilling qualification (e.g., IBD) OR demonstrable professional experience in a distillery environment.
- Skillset: A deep understanding of the distillation process and a keen interest in New Product Development (NPD).
- Personality: You should be as comfortable in the warehouse as you are talking to our guests; a friendly, engaging manner is essential for our tours and public events.
Why Join Us?
- Competitive Pay: £28k–£40k (negotiable based on experience).
- Location: Work at a world-renowned, award-winning site in the heart of Norfolk.
- Growth: The chance to directly influence and develop new products (Gin & Vodka).
- Culture: Be part of a passionate, close-knit "family" team dedicated to making spirits "the right way."
How to Apply
If you have the experience and the "pioneer spirit" we’re looking for, please send your CV and a brief cover letter to office@englishwhisky.co.uk
Title: Distillery Tour Guide & Experience Host
Location: The English Distillery, Harling Road, Roudham, Norfolk, NR16 2QW
Position: Part-time / Occasional (Highly flexible work rota)
Experience: No previous experience required; full training provided. Experience in retail, hospitality, or customer sales is beneficial.
About Us
The English Distillery is the independent, family-owned pioneer of English whisky and England's oldest registered whisky distillery. Based in rural Norfolk just off the A11, we are proud creators of globally acclaimed spirits, including the winner of the 'World's Best Single Malt Whisky'. We pride ourselves on delivering a world-class visitor experience at our stunning Roudham site, which features immersive tours, a premium tasting room, a flagship retail shop, and our on-site restaurant.
The Role
We are looking for enthusiastic, confident storyteller personalities to join our team as Tour Guides & Experience Hosts. In this highly interactive role, you will act as a core brand ambassador, welcoming visitors and taking them on an engaging journey through our operational distillery floor, barrel warehouses, and tasting academies.
Key Responsibilities:
· Lead Guided Experiences: Conduct our signature visitor programmes, sharing the history and craftsmanship of our spirits.
· Host Tasting Sessions: Guide guests through product flavour profiles, pouring samples, and teaching the art of spirit appreciation.
· Represent the Brand at Events: Attend regional trade shows, public exhibitions, and spirit showcases to promote our award-winning bottle lineups.
· Drive Retail Sales: Actively support our on-site distillery shop, helping visitors choose products, processing transactions, and boosting order values.
· Deliver 5-Star Service: Enthusiastically welcome guests, manage front-of-house arrivals, and maintain impeccable presentation standards.
What We Are Looking For:
· Weekend Availability: Trade shows and tastings regularly occur over weekends, so applicants must have the ability to work occasional weekends as part of their flexible schedule.
· Excellent Communicators: Confident public speakers who love interacting with crowds and sharing stories.
· Passionate & Eager to Learn: No prior whisky knowledge is needed; we will teach you everything about our history, the distilling processes & the lovely products.
· Sales-Minded: A natural ability to connect with visitors and confidently recommend products or event bookings.
· Adaptable Professionals: Comfortable switching between formal tours, retail checkout support, and busy external event stands.
· Physical Capability: The position requires being on your feet and leading guests up and down stairs across a working commercial facility.
What We Offer:
· Flexible Hours: A casual/occasional hours rota designed to adapt around your lifestyle, with shifts scheduled to support your needs & our weekend tour and exhibition times.
· Comprehensive Training: Extensive coaching covering spirits knowledge, storytelling techniques, and health and safety compliance.
· Staff Perks: Exclusive employee product discounts and an inspiring working environment.
How to Apply
If you have the experience and the "pioneer spirit" we’re looking for, please send your CV and a brief cover letter to office@englishwhisky.co.uk