Position Summary:
The Plant Manager, reporting directly to the Chief Production Officer will provide direct leadership and oversight to a cross-functional production team including, Bottling, Processing, Dumping, Maintenance, and Shipping/Receiving including bottled and bulk products, for its production facility located in Bardstown, KY. The Plant Manager will coordinate production operations with corporate functions of supply chain, quality, new product development, and engineering ensuring site production goals are met including volume, cost, reliability, staffing, and adherence to budget. This individual will ensure all plant Key Performance Indicators including reliability, cost, delivery, safety, and employee morale metrics are achieved.
The scope of work includes driving the implementation of the Client's System, a lean/continuous improvement culture including our Spirited Commitment values, engaging employees to execute change, optimize all processes, implement manufacturing excellence tools,
processes, and best practices.
 
Role Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in business or relevant discipline
• Minimum of 8 years plant management experience with significant management and leadership experience in an operational and/or specialist environment.
• Proven leadership abilities in championing continuous improvement and team building
• Possess strong leadership and problem-solving skills with the proven ability to lead
effectively in a union environment, involving and engaging employees at all levels of the organization.
• Proficient computer skills with experience utilizing electronic mail software, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and ERP applications.
 
Position Responsibilities:
• Direct and lead plant leadership team including direct management of bottling, maintenance, processing, dumping, and shipping/receiving.
• Develop, manage, and lead direct reports in the production of high-quality distilled spirits products, providing strong leadership and effective problem resolution in a unionized manufacturing environment.
• Plan, organize, direct, and run efficient day-to-day operations to exceed internal and external customer expectations.
• Drive a culture of high performance and accountability.
• Drive year-over-year improvement in employee engagement throughout the plant and support the Client's Diversity & amp; Inclusion objectives
• Act as a change agent for the Production Team and the company
• Increase production capacity and flexibility while minimizing unnecessary costs and maintaining quality standards.
• Build plant capabilities and increase workforce skills and knowledge required to operate new technologies.
• Assist in development of Operational and Capex budgets.
• Implement strategies in alignment with strategic initiatives and provide a clear sense of direction and focus, specifically optimizing technology and processes.
• Develop and lead continuous improvement activities to drive organizational change through involvement and engagement of employees in their work processes, driving positive employee and labor relations.
• Develop, lead, and emphasize Key Performance Indicators of reliability, safety, quality, costs and 5S, making decisions that support these goals and implementing corrective actions, as necessary.
• Coordinate plant activities through planning with department managers to ensure the total manufacturing objectives are accomplished in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Support implementation of new products into production working closely with Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Engineering, and New Product Development
• Lead by example, demonstrating floor presence and visibility across all weekly shifts for consistent application of leadership and company policy.
• Effectively support, evaluate, and reinforce performance development plans for all direct reports including coaching, mentoring, and training to ensure all team members have the proper tools required for success.
• Assist in the development and administration of plant-related budgets and authorization of associated expenditures.
• Foster a culture where safety is a core value in daily operation and strive towards an accident-free workplace.
• Ensure employee and visitor safety through compliance to OSHA and company guidelines through collaboration with Director, Health Safety & amp; Security
• Ensure environmental compliance by working effectively and building strong rapport with internal resources ensuring regulatory compliance.
 
Essential Skills and Experience:
• Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Management of Personnel Resources — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
• Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Must be highly analytical and possess excellent problem-solving skills, sound decision making skills, and ability to meet deadlines in a team-oriented environment.
• Must be skilled in change management.
• Experience owning and improving Key Performance Indicator’s
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in a data-driven, union environment.
• Must be a highly motivated and self-directed individual.
• Must be a participative/collaborative leader with ability to engage and empower employees to support continuous improvement culture.
 
Valued Skills and Experience:
• Advanced computer proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PLC Applications
• Previous experience in a distilled spirits industry
Reporting to this Position: 6 Exempt direct reports including: (1) Operations Manager (1) Maintenance Manager, (1) Processing Manager, (1) Dump Room Manager, (1) Shipping Warehouse Manager, (1) Manufacturing Engineer
 
Core Competencies:
The core competencies described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Core Competencies:
o Integrity – Conduct business with the highest ethical standards, treat others with dignity and respect and strive to do the right thing.
o Nimble – Embrace our future together, react quickly to changing circumstances and achieve results faster than our competitors.
o Teamwork – Collaborate across functions towards a common goal.
o Continuous Improvement – Learn from successes and failures, constantly seeking better ways to do things every day.
o Customer Focused – Dedicated to satisfying our customers. Strive to exceed their expectations in quality and service.
o Passionately Committed to Excellence – Work with passion, focus and dedication.
Always try to do the best at what matters most.
 
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment
characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Physical Demands: While performing duties of job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle, or feel objects, and use of computer; reach with hands and arms. Employee must occasionally travel domestically.
GENERAL