Distillery and Maintenance Manager

Job Description/Responsibilities

About the Role
This is a high-impact, hands-on leadership role at the heart of a National Historic Landmark that has been crafting award-winning bourbon since 1773. As Maintenance Manager, you'll own the reliability, safety, and continuous improvement of all distillery, barrel warehousing, and distribution maintenance operations.
 
You'll lead a team of up to 10 skilled technicians, drive toward 95%+ equipment uptime, and partner across production, safety, and engineering to solve problems before they become shutdowns. This role requires strong technical instincts, managerial courage, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

What You'll Do

• Own maintenance operations across the distillery, barrel warehousing, and distribution — planning, scheduling, budgeting, and execution
• Lead and develop a team of up to 10 skilled maintenance technicians; evaluate performance, identify skill gaps, and build improvement plans
• Drive 95%+ equipment uptime through a disciplined mix of preventive, predictive, and reactive maintenance
• Manage CMMS utilization and work order systems; reduce MTTR and increase MTBF across critical equipment
• Ensure safety is engineered into every project — review safety work orders, partner with the Safety Department, and maintain contractor compliance
• Oversee capital projects and new installations from design through commissioning; write and cost-justify CARs
• Develop and maintain SOPs for MRO inventory and PM scheduling; ensure GMP and quality standard adherence
• Champion the 5S initiative and build a culture of continuous improvement within the maintenance team
• Support a positive, self-directed team culture consistent with the client's values and Collective Bargaining Agreements

What to Expect
This role operates in an active manufacturing environment and requires physical presence on the floor. Candidates should be prepared for:

• A demanding schedule with flexibility for evenings, weekends, and on-call response as production needs arise
• Physical requirements including standing for extended periods, climbing stairs and ladders, bending, kneeling, and working in varying conditions
• A fast-moving, high-accountability culture where problems get solved — not escalated

Qualifications/Requirements

REQUIRED

PREFERRED

✓   Distillery, brewing, or CPG manufacturing experience

✓   Experience in an alcohol beverage environment

✓   Union environment management

✓   MBA or advanced degree

✓   Organizational development background

✓  5S / Lean manufacturing experience

 

 

✓   Physical ability to work on-site: standing, climbing, bending