At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Macallan Whisky Makers in producing exceptional whisky and conducting sensory assessments.
- Company: Join Edrington, a leader in crafting ultra-premium spirits with a strong charitable ethos.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, private healthcare, and product discounts.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that celebrates diversity and offers excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Dive into the world of whisky-making and make a real impact on premium brands.
- Qualifications: Passion for Scotch whisky and a willingness to learn the whisky-making process.
Our Craft Edrington’s vision is to give more by crafting exceptional ultra-premium spirit brands. The Macallan is our central focus, supported by Highland Park and The Glenrothes in the single malt category. Our portfolio is completed with Brugal premium rum from the Dominican Republic. Edrington also has a strategic partnership with No.3 London Dry Gin. Our principal shareholder is a charitable trust, so we were built to make a world of difference. Discover a place where values define our culture. The home of exceptional brands, where people and teams thrive.
Our Blend Of Benefits
- Salary £31,000- £39,500
- 37 days holiday, plus 4 Giving More volunteer days
- Save for retirement and invest in your future - pension contributions (employee up to 8.75%, employer up to 14%)
- Share in our success with up to 10% Share Reward scheme (subject to eligibility)
- Private medical insurance that covers the cost of private healthcare and includes round the clock access to GP services and menopause health line
- 24/7 support for you and your loved ones to counselling, life coaching and information on financial, mental, and physical wellbeing
- Experience our exceptional brands with a generous annual product allowance, plus at least 20% discount in our staff shop
- Embrace work-life harmony with 26 weeks’ paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and up to five paid carers leave days a year
Embrace Excellence
The Trainee Whisky Maker will support the Macallan Whisky Makers in producing the Macallan portfolio to agreed quality, character, colour and age specifications. The role also involves conducting sensory assessments of maturing stocks to support cask quality audits, stock management and project work. Success in this role requires a strong willingness to learn and develop a detailed understanding of whisky maturation and stock management through hands‑on experience, training and development opportunities.
Make an Impact
- Support the Macallan Whisky Mastery team to deliver The Macallan portfolio
- Help with sample coordination, scanning and preparation of bench composites to HMRC guidelines
- Sensory support for stock assessment workstreams
- Support new make spirit sensory panel at Macallan, including participation in assessment of new make spirit, linking into the overall Edrington Group procedures and assessment
- Ensuring efficient and compliant sample movements through our sample control system, including single and batch samples, passed operations etc.
- Support the Sample Room Assistant with management of the extensive sample libraries
- Contribution to final bottling approvals to build up experience of portfolio
Your Talent And Skills
This role would suit someone with a genuine passion for Scotch whisky and a strong desire to learn the end-to-end whisky-making process, from barley to bottling. The successful candidate will have a natural aptitude for sensory evaluation, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively under tight deadlines. While experience in the spirits industry, sensory analysis, or compliance is desirable, full training will be provided, including opportunities to gain hands‑on experience across operational functions and complete relevant external qualifications.
We’ve put together some criteria that we think is important for this role, but don’t worry if your experience and expertise isn’t an exact match. If you feel that you can add value to our role and to Edrington more broadly, we would welcome your application and be eager to learn more about you. Applications close 22nd July at midnight.
A Place For Everyone
We’re proud of our inclusive culture – where unique experiences, ideas and perspectives are celebrated. We want everyone to feel respected and empowered to contribute to our success. From colleague networks like Balance, Pride and Kick-Start to inclusion allies and DE&I champions, we encourage our people to be curious, get involved and help us make change happen.
Trainee Whisky Maker employer: Edrington
Edrington is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant city of Glasgow, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee development and collaboration. With a strong commitment to governance and risk management, employees are provided with meaningful opportunities to enhance their skills through engaging audits and continuous improvement initiatives. The company values its workforce, fostering a supportive environment where every team member can thrive and contribute to the organisation's success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Whisky Maker
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Dive into food fairs, science expos, and industry conferences in your area. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and get a feel for the latest trends in food science and technology. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Edrington!
✨Join Food Technology Communities
Get involved in online forums and local groups focusing on food science. Participating in discussions on platforms like LinkedIn or Reddit can showcase your passion, help you learn, and make useful connections. The more visible you are, the more likely someone from Edrington or elsewhere will take notice.
✨Internship-Specific Networking
As a trainee, you should tap into your university's career services and alumni network. They often have partnerships with companies like Edrington, and can help you find internship programmes or summer placements that aren’t publicly advertised.
✨Show Off Your Skills Online
Create a blog or social media account where you share insights about food science trends or experiment results. This not only showcases your expertise but also helps you build a personal brand that might catch the eyes of recruiters, including those from Edrington. Don’t forget to link back to your application on our website!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Food Science:When crafting your application, let your enthusiasm for food science and technology shine through! Share any relevant projects or coursework you've undertaken, and don't hesitate to mention your favourite aspects of food innovation in your cover letter. We love to see candidates who are excited about what we do at Edrington.
Your CV Should Taste Like Success:For a trainee role in food science, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience, even if it's from coursework or internships. Include any lab work, research projects, or experience with food preparation techniques, as these will show us you're ready to dive into the practical side of things.
Certificates and Awards Matter:If you've earned any certificates related to food safety, quality control, or even relevant courses, don't forget to include them! They’re a great way to showcase your commitment and knowledge in food science and technology, which can set you apart from other applicants.
Tailor Your Motivation:In your cover letter, connect your motivation directly to what Edrington does. Discuss how this trainee position aligns with your career goals and what you hope to learn and contribute. We’re looking for a fresh perspective from someone eager to develop their skills in our innovative environment!
How to prepare for a job interview at Edrington
✨Know Your Food Science Basics
Brush up on key concepts in food science and technology, like food safety, preservation methods, and nutrition. We want to be able to discuss their applications in a real-world context — show Edrington you're not just book-smart but also understand how it relates to their products!
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect some practical questions or scenarios during your interview — they might ask how you would handle a specific problem or improve a food process. We should think through potential situations together, so we can showcase your analytical skills and creativity!
✨Show Enthusiasm for Learning
As a trainee, we want to demonstrate our eagerness to learn and grow in the food science field. Maybe mention specific technologies or techniques you're excited to learn about at Edrington, and how they fit into your career goals.
✨Highlight Team Collaboration
Food technology often involves teamwork, especially when developing new products or improving processes. We should be ready to share examples of how we've successfully collaborated in the past — even if it's from school projects or relevant experiences!
