Plant Engineer and Reliability Manager

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.

As a Department Head for Engineering and Maintenance, your role is critical in ensuring the effective management of engineering and maintenance functions, driving operational excellence, and contributing to the overall success of the organization.

• Ensuring compliance with safety regulations, environmental standards, and industry best practices. This involves promoting a culture of safety within the department, conducting safety training programs, and implementing measures to minimize risks and hazards.
• Developing and implementing departmental goals, objectives, and strategic plans aligned with the overall organizational objectives. This involves defining the direction for engineering and maintenance operations to support business growth and sustainability.

• Providing leadership, guidance, and mentorship to engineering and maintenance teams. This includes recruiting, training, and managing staff, as well as fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.

• Managing departmental budgets, allocating resources effectively, and optimizing costs while maintaining quality and efficiency. This involves monitoring expenditures, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and ensuring compliance with financial guidelines.

• Overseeing engineering projects and maintenance activities from conception to completion. This includes planning, scheduling, budgeting, and coordinating resources to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.

• Developing and implementing maintenance strategies, policies, and procedures to ensure the reliability, availability, and performance of equipment and facilities. This involves optimizing preventive and predictive maintenance programs, implementing best practices, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Providing technical expertise and guidance in engineering design, innovation, and problem-solving. This includes evaluating new technologies, recommending improvements, and driving innovation initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness.

• Building and maintaining effective relationships with internal stakeholders, such as senior management, other department heads, and cross-functional teams. This includes collaborating with other departments to support organizational objectives and address interdepartmental issues.

• Monitoring departmental performance metrics, analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs), and preparing regular reports for senior management. This involves tracking progress towards goals, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective actions as needed.

• Leading continuous improvement initiatives to enhance departmental processes, systems, and performance. This includes fostering a culture of innovation, encouraging feedback and ideas from team members, and implementing changes to drive operational excellence.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related discipline
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience
• Minimum of 3 years of Supervisory experience
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in reliability engineering principles and methodologies, including Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), root cause analysis, reliability centered maintenance and predictive maintenance techniques.
• Project Management: Experience in managing projects, including planning, budgeting, scheduling, and overseeing implementation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated knowledge of all relevant government regulations
• Knowledge of Federal and State OSHA requirements
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles
• Charismatic leader with evidence of strong interpersonal and teambuilding skills
• Strong analytical and proficiency in data analysis tools and techniques are important for analyzing equipment performance data, identifying trends and making data driven decisions to improve reliability.
• Experience in the food & beverage industry
• Wastewater treatment plant knowledge

#LI-JC1