Sr. Distribution 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.

The Sr. Distribution Manager oversees all distribution operations in accomplishing production needs within safety, quality, budgetary and regulatory guidelines. Evaluates efficiency and cost; plans, organizes, directs improvements and corrective action plans. Establishes best methods, standard operating procedures and priorities to meet established productivity and quality goals. Meets and exceeds customer expectations to deliver product on time and in full within budget.

• Conduct PDS reviews, set robust goals and objectives, and partner with direct reports to create solid development plans to improve skills and performance of all employees in the distribution center. Train, evaluate and develop distribution center employees. Create and develop a personal development plan with Plant Manager to improve a skill/competency that will improve personal skills and performance.
• Lead department efforts to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs to lowest levels possible without compromising service. Leads department in controlling targeted inventory, cost per case, inventory loss annually and reducing daily product losses.
• Manage adherence to applicable quality, safety, distribution and logistics standards, and GMPs, with a consistent focus on excellent customer service, and budgetary and regulatory guidelines. Develop distribution center employees, plan and implement shipping improvements. Evaluate efficiency and cost; plan, organize and direct improvements and corrective action plans. Establish work schedules, best methods, standard operating procedures and priorities to meet established productivity and quality goals in all aspects of distribution.
• Establish documentation and implementation of best practices SOPs. Develop, implement and enforce SOP’s and other initiatives including but not limited to WMS process, customer service, housekeeping, cycle counting, and breakage. Drive continuous improvement culture within the department. Lead, develop, execute and review best practices, processes and procedures to improve the distribution center operation on all shifts including movement of product, receiving, staging, loading and inventory management.
• Monitors and enforces all OSHA and Company safety regulations and policies. Leads the safety programs for the department through development and execution of safe practices and operating procedures to minimize the occurrence and severity of workplace accidents. Oversee, reduce, and manage the number of injuries and report all safety occurrences in a timely manner.
• Establish and follow development plan to achieve career development and/or advancement. Responsible for developing department team and works with all managers across the site to develop skills and results around continuous improvement. Facilitate and lead CDS plan discussions with direct reports and support with creating development plans.
• Lead the Distribution Department in a manner consistent with the culture values of the company and ensure that the department staff act in a manner consistent with these values. Actively participate in efforts and lead departmental best place to work action plans to make the Company a Best Place to Work.
• Develop an external talent pool, base, LFE interviewing tools readily available to all, hiring managers able to identify and attract top talent, alignment around hiring and staffing process with all parties committed to move quickly to successfully close on hiring of top talent.
• Ensure adherence to Personal Safety, Food Safety, Quality and Environmental Policies and Practices. Analyzes and resolves problems relating to distribution operation quality and efficiency. Develop TPM concepts for department with implementation timelines that are in line with the continuous improvement efforts of the department. Develop metrics to track and drive departmental performance improvement.
• Lead, oversee and provide support to sales to ensure products are shipped correctly and on time to meet customer expectations including launch of new products and new distribution. Meet and improve the metric on- time shipment goals as well as order fulfillment goals

MUST
o Excellent listening, presentation and communication skills
o Strong computer skills and high comfort using technology and systems
o Bachelor's Degree
o Strong analytical and technical skills
o Working knowledge of MS Office Products (Word, Excel and Outlook)
o 5 years experience in manufacturing, landscaping or warehouse environment
o 2 years Experience in manufacturing software (ERP, MRP, MPS, WMS)
o 2 years Supervisory experience

PREFERRED
o APICS Certification or Six Sigma Certification
o Experience with System 21 ERP software
o Experience in Alcohol Beverage Industry or CPG overall

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
o Ability to pick up and/or move objects up to 10 pounds without assistance

#LI-DR1