Position Title: Cellar Technician
Reports to: Cellar Lead
Department: Operations
Classification: Full Time, Hourly (Non-Exempt)
Pay: $22 – $25 per hour
Corto Mission
To attract quality-oriented restaurateurs with consistently superior olive oil, keep them through legendary service, and invest in talented people who share our dedication to customer success.
The Company
Corto Olive is a nationally recognized, family-owned company known for crafting superior olive oil for professional and home chefs.
If you take pride in the quality of your work and prefer working on a team of talented individuals who share your passion for excellence, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity! This is a full time position located on-site at our Stockton Facility.
The Cellar Technician is responsible for the safe handling, movement, storage, and processing of olive oil while maintaining Extra Virgin quality standards. Key responsibilities include oil transfers, filtration, blend preparation, cask management, receiving deliveries, and maintaining a clean, safe, and organized cellar environment. This role also requires accurate and timely completion of production and quality documentation.
This position typically works Monday through Friday. Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and alternate shifts is required during peak operational periods. During harvest season (mid-October through early December), employees should be available to work up to 12-hour shifts, at least six days per week, to support 24/7 operations.
This position will be primarily responsible for:
- Executing cellar operations in accordance with established work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, and reaction plans.
- Performing cellar activities including, but not limited to, Clean-in-Place (CIP) processes, oil transfers (bulk and internal), oil blending, filtration support, sediment disposal, and oxygen purging/sparging.
- Inspecting and verifying that all cellar equipment, including valves, hoses, pumps, and flow meters, is clean, operational, and appropriate for the task being performed.
- Monitoring and maintaining target oxygen levels in olive oil casks using approved purging and sparging techniques to preserve product quality.
- Maintaining accurate and timely documentation related to oil inventory, transfers, production activities, and other cellar operations.
- Loading and unloading bulk oil deliveries in compliance with safety, quality, and operational requirements.
- Maintaining a clean, organized, and sanitary work environment within the cellars and related production areas.
- Collaborating effectively with Quality, Maintenance, Production, and Technical Services teams to achieve operational goals and production schedules.
- Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and contributing to initiatives that enhance safety, quality, efficiency, and operational effectiveness.
- Adhering to all food safety, quality, environmental, and workplace safety policies and procedures.
- Performing other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ability to follow SOPs, work instructions, and safety and quality requirements.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate operational documentation.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, and production systems.
- Ability to obtain and maintain forklift certification.
- Ability to perform the physical requirements of the position and work safely in a manufacturing environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- At least one year of experience in cellar operations, food manufacturing, beverage production, or a related production environment.
Physical Requirements:
Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and moderate fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires the following percentages of time committed to physical activity: 25% or more sitting, 50% or more walking, and 50% or more standing. The job is performed under moderate temperature variations and in a manufacturing environment. Unrestricted visual and audio abilities are required for the safety of all employees. The ability to lift up to 45 lbs. is required.
Wellbeing:
In addition to our solid track record as a stable, growing employer, we offer a variety of different benefits:
- Physical Wellness – Medical plan options, Dental and Vision benefits, Sick Time, and Gym/Wellness Class Reimbursement.
- Social Wellness – Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Engagement Events throughout the year, and Federal and State Leave of Absences.
- Development Wellness- Recognition, Development Training Programs, Succession Planning, and Tuition Reimbursement.
- Emotional Wellness– Employee Assistance Program, People Operations Department with an Open Door Policy.
- Financial Wellness– Competitive Salary, Performance Based Bonus, 401k Program, Accident Insurance, and Life Insurance.