Maintenance Manager

Sazerac Company Overview

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, Traveller, and Sazerac Rye. Additionally, Sazerac owns many popular brands across a range of spirits, including Fireball, Svedka, Wheatley, BuzzBallz, 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.

Company/Location Overview

Northwest Ordinance Distilling

707 NW Ordinance Ln

New Albany, IN 47150

Thank you for your interest in Northwest Ordinance Distilling (NOD), our first ever facility in the Hoosier state, and the newest facility in the Sazerac manufacturing network. We operate 24/7, primarily producing and bottling Fireball Cinnamon Whisky and other famous spirit brands (99 Brand, Parrot Bay, Dr. McGillicuddy’s, etc.). Founded on the principles of servant leadership and continuous improvement, our entire plant team strives to accomplish our vision:

Build the most efficient, flexible, and engaged plant and team in the Sazerac Manufacturing Network.

At NOD, we are in search of talented individuals who have a strong desire to develop and hone technically sound manufacturing processes, while seizing the opportunity to grow their career and personal development. We believe our people are our greatest asset. Your drive and ability to work as a team combined with our passion for people will ensure we win as a team.

Job Description/Responsibilities

The Plant Maintenance Manager leads the maintenance team in a high-speed beverage bottling facility. This role is responsible for ensuring maximum equipment reliability, overseeing preventative and predictive maintenance programs, supporting capital projects, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. The Maintenance Manager partners with Operations to reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, and safety standards; while assisting Plant Engineer with Capital Projects, and plant-wide initiatives as assigned.

• Lead, coach, and develop a maintenance team including supervisors, technicians, and contractors.
• Oversee daily plant-wide maintenance activities to achieve >95% equipment uptime and continuously improve OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).
• Develop and execute preventative and predictive maintenance programs to minimize unplanned downtime (e.g., vibration analysis, thermography, oil analysis).
• Support and manage capital projects, including scope development, vendor selection, contractor oversight, and successful startup of new equipment
• Ensure safe operation of all equipment, compliance with OSHA, GMP, ISO, and FDA requirements, and a strong plant safety culture.
• Provide technical expertise in troubleshooting and resolving issues related to bottling and packaging equipment, such as fillers, cappers, labelers, conveyors, blow molders, and facility infrastructure such as boilers, electrical mains, chillers, compressors, wastewater systems.
• Partner with Operations to reduce changeover time, improve throughput, and eliminate chronic losses.
• Manage the Repairs & Maintenance (R&M) and Power Plant budgets, including forecasting, cost tracking, variance analysis, and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Implement Lean and 5S principles in the maintenance department.
• Maintain accurate records using CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) and ensure compliance with internal reporting systems.
• Lead performance discussions and training programs to grow technical skills and leadership capabilities within the maintenance team.

Qualifications/Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Ability to communicate with all levels of an org
• Ability to manage multiple projects at one time
• Engineering or related degree or equivalent experience
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• implementation or project management experience.
• Supervisory experience
• Relevant experience (minimum)
• Working knowledge of MS Office Products (Word, Excel and Outlook)
• Ability to handle multiple tasks at one time

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field.
• Experience in the alcoholic beverage industry, food, or CPG manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with electrical systems, Allen Bradley PLCs, and equipment troubleshooting.
• Blow molding and packaging equipment experience.
• Mechanical Aptitude and technical systems understanding
• CMMS experience

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work on the plant floor, including exposure to noise, moving machinery, and occasional risk of electrical shock.
• Must be able to ascend/descend stairs and ladders and work near moving equipment.
• Occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs. may be required.
• Ability to work overtime or weekends as needed to support plant operations.
• This is a hands-on leadership role requiring regular presence in production areas.

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