Operations 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, 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.

The Operations Manager will lead the bottling and processing departments driving culture centered on teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement. This role plays a key part in enhancing safety, food safety, quality, efficiency, and customer service through focused problem‑solving and operational excellence initiatives. The Operations Manager will also support the growth and development of team members across the site by implementing structured performance and feedback programs.

This is an opportunity to make a direct impact in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment while helping shape a high‑performing team culture.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead safety initiatives, quality performance and initiatives, training programs, and compliance efforts to meet or exceed Federal, State, and provincial safety requirements
• Drive continuous improvement efforts focused on operational efficiency, effectiveness, and process flexibility
• Develop and implement performance development systems, including evaluations, feedback sessions, and team member development plans
• Partner with department leaders to strengthen teamwork, accountability, and employee engagement across the site
• Support operational excellence initiatives related to lean manufacturing, quality, and service improvements

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5–10 years of experience in a fast‑paced manufacturing or operations environment
• Experience driving organizational change and continuous improvement initiatives

Preferred:

• APICS, Lean, Six Sigma, 6S, and/or TPM certification
• Experience with beverage processing and related equipment
• Background in lean manufacturing or operational excellence programs

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds without assistance

Sazerac offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, 401K, paid time off, and more. These benefits may vary depending on location and work type. Learn more about how we support our employees here.

The annual salary range for this role is $130,668 - $196,000. Final compensation will be based on relevant experience, qualifications, geographic location, and internal pay equity considerations.

Sazerac is committed to equality of opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.