Operations Manager

Build your career at Sazerac! With almost 400 years of rich history, Sazerac Company has thrived as an independent, American family-owned company with operations in the United States and around the world. Since the 2000s, Sazerac has averaged double digit growth every year! Sazerac Company produces and markets the most award-winning bourbons and whiskeys in the world, including Buffalo Trace, Pappy Van Winkle, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, and Sazerac Rye. Additionally, Sazerac owns many popular brands across a range of spirits, including Fireball, Southern Comfort, Seagram’s V.O., Myers’s, Goldschläger, Parrot Bay, 99 Brand, and Platinum Vodka. 

We’re proud of our award-winning culture and distilleries. Our Louisville office has been named one of the “Best Places to Work in Kentucky” four times, and our Buffalo Trace Distillery has earned the title of “world’s most award-winning distillery” through the dedication of our craftsmen for well over 200 years. Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional, Sazerac provides extraordinary opportunities for growth with competitive salaries and benefits in an exciting, entrepreneurial industry.

As a Department Head for Operations, your role is critical in ensuring the effective management of bottling, processing, and raw materials, driving operational excellence, and contributing to the overall success of the organization. This person will create a culture that values teamwork and winning.

• Oversee all aspects of bottling, processing and raw materials.  Ensure production requirements are met while maintaining high standards for safety, quality, service, and efficiency.
• Lead the safety programs for the operations team  towards the goal of zero OSHA Recordable injuries. Ensure processes are designed for safe execution of work roles, and the right equipment to do a job safely is available. Ensure that safety is engineered into every project and new equipment installation with the development of written operational procedures and the completion of employee training prior to start of operation.

• Drive a culture of quality consciousness and continuous improvement through implementing and maintaining quality control measures where products meet specifications and customer requirements. Conduct regular audits and inspections to identify areas for improvement and address non-conformities promptly.
• Improve and sustain performance gains through the implementation of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Lead 5S initiatives to create a well-organized, efficient, and standardized workplace that promotes safety, productivity, and quality.  Develop and implement a daily cleaning process (OSW) for all employees.

• Develop and implement departmental goals, objectives, and strategic plans aligned with the overall organizational objectives. This involves defining the direction for Processing, Bottling and Raw Materials departments to support business growth and sustainability.
• Provide coaching, training, and performance feedback to develop team members and foster a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• Managing departmental budgets, allocating resources effectively, and optimizing costs while maintaining quality and efficiency. This involves monitoring expenditures, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and ensuring compliance with financial guidelines.
• Analyze production data and performance metrics to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for optimization.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain management, business administration, or related field
• Experience: 5-10 of experience in manufacturing operations, progressively advancing in roles with increasing responsibilities.

• Leadership Skills: Ability to lead and motivate teams along with strong decision-making and problem-solving skills are essential.
• Analytical Skills: Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation to identify trends, performance metrics, and areas for improvement.

• Communication skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to interact with employees, management team, suppliers, and customers.  Ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely is crucial.
• Project Management:  Experience in managing projects from initiation to completion, including budgeting, scheduling, risk assessment and stakeholder management.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in manufacturing processes, quality management systems, inventory control, production planning, and supply chain management.
• Working knowledge of MS Office Products (Word, Excel and Outlook)

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of regulatory requirements and compliance standards relevant to the manufacturing industry, such as OSHA regulations and ISO standards.
• Experience and certification in Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other improvement methodologies
• Charismatic leader with evidence of strong interpersonal and teambuilding skills
• Experience in the food & beverage industry

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