Job Description
Cellar Tech I
Location: Healdsburg, CA
Department: Production - Cellar
Reports to: Cellar Supervisor
Join the Sonoma Craft team and help create high-quality cider from the ground up. We're looking for a motivated, hands-on Cellar Tech I who thrives in a physical, team-oriented environment. This role offers strong on-the-job training and exposure to all stages of cellar work-from fermentation checks to sanitation to bulk product movement-with plenty of room to grow into higher-level cellar positions as you build your skills.
Job Summary
The Cellar Tech I supports daily cidery operations by safely and accurately completing cellar work orders and following established SOPs. Key tasks include cleaning and sanitizing tanks and equipment, performing fermentation checks, receiving bulk tankers, preparing ingredients, and transferring bulk products using pumps, flow meters, and other cellar tools. The role also requires maintaining a clean, sanitary workspace and operating forklifts and scissor lifts after training/certification.
This position is hands-on, fast-paced, and physically demanding, requiring strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask while working around wet equipment, pressurized gases, and typical winery conditions. The Cellar Tech I plays an important part in supporting Sonoma Craft's commitment to quality and operational excellence.
Job Responsibilities
Understands, follows, and completes cellar work orders to perform the following:
- Follows cellar standard operating procedures (SOPs) and adheres to safe cellar practices
- Performs equipment CIP protocols including tank cleaning, and hose/pump sanitation
- Receives bulk tankers, including setup and operation of pump to offload, operating juice warming unit, cleaning and sanitizing all used pumps and hoses.
- Performs daily fermentation checks. Accurately and clearly obtains records, and conveys production numbers and analytics to management
- Operates basic cellar equipment, including pumps, flow meters, tank mixers, and is comfortable with cellar principles to move bulk products between tanks
- Prepares yeast and other ingredients for direct addition to tanks or to infusion equipment, with the approval or supervision of other cellar staff
- After completing site-specific training and certification, operates cellar scissor lift and forklift
- Understands, handles, and uses pressurized gases
- Performs general cleaning tasks including the pressure washing of cidery floors and tank exteriors
Skills & Qualifications:
- Minimum 2 years of experience in a cellar department specifically inside a cidery, winery, or brewery industry
- High School Diploma, GED, or the equivalent of work-related experience.
- Ability to operating Forklift, scissor lift, and pallet jack. Prior experience is preferred.
- Training and certification will be provided to safely operate machinery
- Ability to work flexible shifts, including extended hours and overtime as needed
- Good reading, writing, and mathematical skills
- Demonstrated ability to understand and follow directions, as well as listen and communicate with co-workers
- Strong and proven work ethic
- Commitment to excellence in an ever-evolving, exciting field of work
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
- Ability to frequently sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and climb.
- Ability to frequently talk, hear, feel, taste, and smell.
- Ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 55 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 165 lbs. to waist height
- Ability to frequently reach with hands and arms.
- Ability to work on a platform ladder at heights up to 20 feet.
- Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.
- Must be able to participate in critical assessment of ciders.
Physical/Mental Requirements
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.
Sonoma Craft LLC is a proud equal-opportunity employer. We wholeheartedly embrace authenticity, diversity, and people's differences. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace for all our employees and consumers.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
Compensation range: Non-Exempt $23-$29 per hour
Compensation is determined based on non-discriminatory, business-related factors, including but not limited to, training, experience, education and/or professional certifications, geographic location, and market data.
Benefits at Sonoma Craft
At Sonoma Craft, we believe in supporting the whole employee - mind, body, and lifestyle. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
Health Care Coverage
- Medical Insurance: 90% of the employee premium and 50% of dependent premiums covered
- Dental & Vision Insurance: 100% of the employee premium and 50% of dependent premiums covered
Monthly Wellness Allowance
- $100 monthly reimbursement to support physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing, including gym memberships, fitness classes, yoga, strength training, or passes to Regional, State, or National Parks
Paid Time Off
- 18 days of PTO annually, accrued from your start date
Company Holidays
- 11 paid holidays each year
Cider & Beer Allotments
- Monthly product perks to enjoy our craft beverages
401(k) Retirement Plan
- Eligibility begins after 90 days
- 100% match on the first 3%, and 50% match on the next 3% after one year of employment
We're building a workplace where people thrive, and these benefits are just one of the ways we show our appreciation for all that you bring to the team.
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Local area, Flexible hours,