Assistant Cider Maker / Orchard Manager
Location: Prince Edward County , Ontario
Employment T ype: Full-time, in-person (this position is not remote or hybrid — daily on-site
presence in the orchard and cidery is required)
About the Role-
Loch Mór Cider Company is an award-winning, orchard-to-glass
cidery in Prince Edward County , home to over 3,100 trees — including
rare heritage cider varieties. With more than 50 national and
international awards to our name, we’re in the midst of an exciting
orchard expansion planned over the next 2–3 seasons. We’re a small,
tight-knit team, and this role offers the chance to work closely with
ownership, see your work travel directly from orchard to bottle, and
grow alongside an already celebrated cidery .
As of October 1, new ownership will be taking over Loch Mór Cider
Company . We’re building our team for this next chapter and looking
for people who want to help carry forward — and grow — everything
that has made this cidery special.
We are looking for an experienced Assistant Cider Maker / Orchard
Manager to join our team in Prince Edward County . This hands-on role
combines orchard stewardship with cider production, working closely
with our head cider maker throughout the growing season and
production cycle.
Requirements-
Minimum 2 full years of hands-on experience as an assistant
cider maker or assistant wine maker (commercial production
setting)
Working knowledge of fermentation processes, cellar operations,
and quality control
Comfortable with physical, outdoor labour across seasons
(pruning, harvest, spraying schedules, equipment maintenance)
Willingness and ability to work on-site full-time in Prince Edward
County — no remote or hybrid arrangements available
Valid driver’s license required (occasional deliveries are part of the
role)
Strong attention to detail, especially around sanitation, batch
records, and food safety practices
Must be at least 19 years of age
Must have, or be able to obtain within one month of hire, Smart
Serve, Food Handler , and WHMIS certifications
Fluent in English required; bilingual (French) is an asset
Availability for overtime hours during fall harvest and pressing
season (approximately September–November) is expected
Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, due
to status of incoming owners. This position cannot be filled by
candidates requiring work permit sponsorship.
Preferred Qualifications-
Professional training in cider making through a college/universityprogram or the Cider Institute of North America
Responsibilities-
Reports directly to the Head Cider Maker
Assist with all stages of cider production: pressing, fermentation,
blending, filtration, bottling/canning, and packaging
Support orchard management tasks including pruning, pest and
disease monitoring, irrigation, and harvest coordination
Maintain accurate production and orchard records
Help maintain a clean, organized, and safety-compliant cellar and
work environment
Operate and perform basic maintenance on cidery and orchard
equipment
Collaborate with the head cider maker on recipe development and
quality assessment
Support tasting room operations as needed, particularly during
quieter off-season periods
Working Conditions-
This role involves potential exposure to pesticides and other
agrochemicals used in orchard management. Appropriate PPE and
safety training will be provided, and all applications follow label
and regulatory requirements.
Candidates who will be directly applying pesticides may be
required to hold, or obtain, an Ontario Grower Pesticide Safety
Course certificate.
Physical Requirements-
Ability to lift and carry at least 50 lbs regularly (bins, kegs, bags,
equipment)
Ability to work in wet, cold, and/or muddy conditions (cellar work,
washdowns, outdoor orchard work in all weather)
Ability to stand, bend, kneel, and climb (ladders/orchard
equipment) for extended periods
Comfortable working outdoors in seasonal extremes (summer heat,
harvest-season cold)
Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with
the Ontario Human Rights Code and AODA
Compensation Package-
Pay rate: $27.00/hour
Health Spending Account (HSA) with a $1,500 employer
contribution in year one — OHIP does not cover dental, vision,
prescription drugs, or paramedical services, so this is provided to
fill that gap
Annual professional development budget
Annual product allowance
Two weeks of paid vacation per year , timing to be coordinated with
the Head Cider Maker (particularly around harvest/pressing
season)
How to Apply-
Please send a resume and brief cover letter outlining your relevant
cider or wine making experience to [email protected].
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.We thank all applicants for their interest; however , only those selected
for an interview will be contacted.
Interviews will be scheduled for late-August/early-September .
Pay: $26.00-$28.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- On-site parking
- Store discount
- Tuition reimbursement
Work Location: In person
