Distillery Asset Reliability Manager -- Bourbon Production & Warehousing

Job Description

Job Description

Step Into A Day Shaping America’s Most Awarded Bourbon

On the banks of the Kentucky River, Buffalo Trace Distillery has crafted bourbon since 1773. As part of the Sazerac family, our National Historic Landmark blends centuries-old craftsmanship with modern, ambitious growth. It’s where icons like Pappy Van Winkle, Blanton’s, Eagle Rare, and Buffalo Trace Bourbon are made—and where more than 300 awards and 17 Distillery of the Year honors were earned.

As the Distillery Asset Reliability Manager, you’re at the center of production. Morning starts with maintenance planning across distillation, barrel warehousing, and distribution. You sync with production, safety, and engineering to align on priorities, then move to the floor to coach up to 10 skilled technicians—removing obstacles, reinforcing safety, and driving a culture of continuous improvement.

• Translate business needs into a maintenance plan covering scheduling, budgeting, and execution across the distillery, warehousing, and distribution
• Lead, develop, and evaluate a 10-person maintenance team—identify skill gaps, set goals, and build growth plans
• Push toward 95%+ equipment uptime using preventive, predictive, and smart reactive strategies
• Drive CMMS effectiveness and work order discipline; reduce MTTR and raise MTBF on critical assets
• Embed safety into every decision—review safety work orders, partner closely with the Safety team, and enforce contractor compliance
• Shepherd capital projects from design through commissioning; prepare and justify CARs
• Own SOPs for MRO inventory and PM scheduling; protect GMP and quality standards
• Champion 5S and sustain a continuous improvement mindset
• Foster a positive, self-directed team culture aligned with Sazerac values and Collective Bargaining Agreements

• Dynamic schedule with flexibility for evenings, weekends, and on-call support as production demands
• Hands-on role in active manufacturing: extended standing, stair and ladder climbing, bending and kneeling, and varied environmental conditions
• A fast-paced, high-accountability environment where problems are solved—not passed along

• 5–10 years of maintenance management experience
• Distillery, brewing, or CPG manufacturing background
• Bachelor's degree
• Experience in an alcohol beverage environment
• Proven record of delivering 95%+ equipment uptime
• Union environment management experience
• Experience leading skilled trades teams (union a plus)
• MBA or advanced degree
• CMMS/work order system proficiency
• Organizational development experience
• Project management from concept through commissioning
• 5S / Lean manufacturing experience
• Strong MS Office skills (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Ability to communicate across all organizational levels
• Physical ability to work on-site: standing, climbing, bending

• Leadership / People Management
• Project Management
• Preventive Maintenance & Inspection
• Warehouse Experience
• Distribution Experience
• Maintenance and Repair Skills
• Equipment Repair & Maintenance