Dean Leslie
Airlie Beach
Summary
Dynamic Head Distiller with over 5 years of comprehensive experience in all aspects of distillery operations, specializing in driving continuous improvement in production processes and product quality. Successful in overseeing innovative raw material selection and crafting distinctive flavor profiles that elevate brand offerings. Proven leader in product launches, managing cross-functional collaborations to ensure optimal performance and adherence to rigorous quality standards. Committed to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation within the distilling industry.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Agave Head Distiller
TOP Shelf International Pty Ltd
02.2024 - Current
- Facilitating the day-to-day operations of Manufacturing the core range Alcoholic Product Act of Treason Agave Spirit.
- Managing and overseeing the entire production process, including harvesting, cooking, brewing/pressing, fermentation, distillation, aging, blending, filtration, dilution and bottling.
- Contributing to establishing and improving SOP's to ensure all necessary product, quality and safety standards are met.
- Key member in leading NPD with experimental production methods and ingredients to create new spirits.
- Ensuring quality and production targets run on time and meet daily, weekly, monthly KPI’s and forecasts.
- Lead and train the distillery’s production and distillery staff, ensuring they follow best practices.
- Ensuring the distillery adheres to all local, national and international regulations including food safety standards and excise record-keeping.
- Preparing high level Reporting and Forecasting to the CEO and CFO.
- Oversee the accurate tracking and reporting of data required for tax and regulatory purposes.
- Maintain a safety-first attitude and culture within the distillery and barrelhouses which involves wet, noisy, hazardous environments with moving machinery within dangerous goods areas.
Head Blender / Head Distiller / Cellar hand
TOP Shelf International Pty Ltd
05.2019 - 02.2024
- Facilitating the day-to-day operations of Manufacturing our core range Alcoholic Product NED Whisky and Grainshaker Vodka.
- Managing the entire production process, including brewing/mashing, fermentation, distillation, aging, blending, filtration, dilution and bottling.
- Managing over 1,600,000 L of Cask Strength Whisky and a high-level maturation program for various product SKU’s.
- Ensuring quality and production targets run on time and meet daily, weekly, monthly KPI’s and forecasts.
- Managing Raw Materials Inventory, equipment and finished goods to ensure smooth operation.
- Key member in leading NPD with experimental production methods and ingredients to create new spirits.
- Developing and refining spirit recipes internally and externally for such customers as Coles.
- Implementing and monitoring quality control measures at each stage of the process to ensure quality is of paramount and educating the team about such processes.
- Lead and training the distillery’s production and distillery staff, ensuring they follow best practices.
- Ensuring the distillery adheres to all local, national and international regulations including food safety standards and excise record-keeping.
- Preparing high Level Reporting and Forecasting to the CEO and CFO.
- Oversee the accurate tracking and reporting of data required for tax and regulatory purposes.
- Maintain a safety-first attitude and culture within the distillery and barrelhouses which involves wet, noisy, hazardous environments with moving machinery within dangerous goods areas.
Warehouse Manager / Warehouse Store Person
Linfox Australia Pty Ltd
01.2009 - 04.2019
- Facilitating the day-to-day operations of the warehouse through the timely and effective dispatch of stock for Victoria Coles retail stores.
- Drafting detailed reports including Key Performance Indicators for the senior management team and customer.
- Working methodically and accurately in a fast paced and challenging environment ensuring all deadlines are reached
- Locating, selecting and preparing stock prior to delivery and loading them onto pallets
- Coordinating small teams to monitor and maintain full and consistent compliance with safe working regulations
- Delivering comprehensive support to the senior management team undertaking tasks such as productivity analysis and evaluation of efficiency relating to the fleet and operators
- Listen to team members’ feedback and resolve any issues or conflicts
Store person
Bevchain Logistics (Logical Staffing Solutions Recruitment Agency)
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Personally accountable for picking and packing products in accordance with customer instructions and loading or unloading containers
- Accurately preparing the weekly stock take and Key Performance Indicator reports
- Demonstrating excellent skills in packing delivery vehicles, organising stock effectively to make the most of available space
- Working in collaboration with the upper management team to issue recommendations on how to facilitate the process of product selection to improve accuracy and productivity
Education
Victorian Certificate of Education -
Catholic Regional College
Sydenham, VIC10-2007
Certificate III - Warehousing & Logistics
Victoria University
Melbourne, VIC01-2010
Certificate II - Electro Technology Studies
Victoria University
Melbourne, VIC01-2012
Skills
- Attention to Detail
- Communication
- Team Management
- Inventory Management
- Production Scheduling
- Raw Material Sourcing
- Brewing Processes
- Fermentation Processes
- Distillation
- Aging Techniques
- Blending
- Filtration
- Quality Control
- Flavour Profile Development
- Equipment Calibration
- Plant Efficiency Optimization
- Health and Safety
- Customer Relations
Accomplishments
- Increased Production of Whisky Inventory from: 0 LAL’s to 1,300,000 LAL’s worth over $300,000,000.00 AUD retail value.
- Increased Production and Distilling over 300,000 LAL’s of Grainshaker Vodka worth over $75,000,000.00 AUD retail value.
- Producing Australia’s most Awarded Agave Spirit Globally.
- Numerous Industry Awards for Act of Treason Agave Spirit, NED Whisky and Grainshaker Vodka.
- Managed Production Schedules and Inventory to meet a 99% on-time completion rate to meet high demand.
- Optimizing Brewhouse efficiencies and yields by 25%.
- Optimizing Spirit movement and processes by 550%.
- Implementing Continuous improvement programs to reduce waste by 30%.
- Implementing Continuous improvement programs to reduce energy wastage by 20%.
- Successfully developed, launched and brought to market award winning and innovative New Spirits to market which boosted revenue and market presence.
- Implementing New Proprietary processes within the aging and harvesting stages of maturation that enhanced flavour complexity and consumer appeal.
- Brand Ambassador hosting tasting events, product launches and other various industry events and talks.
Certification
- In Service Safety Inspection Testing and Tagging Licence
- Construction Induction Training – White Card
- Forklift Truck Licence
- MR Driver Licence
- Handling Dangerous Goods Certificate
- Fire Awareness Certificate
- Certificate in Provide First Aid (Level 2)
- QLD RSA Responsible Service of Alcohol
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Tagalog
Limited Working
Timeline
Agave Head Distiller
TOP Shelf International Pty Ltd
02.2024 - Current
Head Blender / Head Distiller / Cellar hand
TOP Shelf International Pty Ltd
05.2019 - 02.2024
Warehouse Manager / Warehouse Store Person
Linfox Australia Pty Ltd
01.2009 - 04.2019
Store person
Bevchain Logistics (Logical Staffing Solutions Recruitment Agency)
01.2008 - 01.2009
Victorian Certificate of Education -
Catholic Regional College
Certificate III - Warehousing & Logistics
Victoria University
Certificate II - Electro Technology Studies
Victoria University
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