Bottling Supervisor - Quality

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.

Boston Brands of Maine, located in Lewiston, Maine, is part of the Sazerac family of companies. Boston Brands of Maine operates a state-of-the-art facility on ten acres, with the capacity of seven bottling lines. Sazerac’s vision is to become one of the industry’s most desired places to be. Sazerac attributes its success to a unique blend of history, culture, brands, relationships, innovation, technology, and most importantly, its people.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Assurance and Food Safety Leadership

• Lead on-shift QA and food safety activities, including in-process checks, pre-operational inspections, line audits, and product release.
• Ensure compliance with Global Standards, HACCP, GMPs, allergen controls, traceability, and sanitation programs.
• Oversee QA Lab operations, ensuring timely and accurate sampling and testing.
• Investigate product or process deviations and lead root cause analysis and corrective actions.

Sanitation and Housekeeping Oversight

• Manage and execute the sanitation program, ensuring adherence to SSOPs, sanitation validation protocols, and hygienic standards.
• Conduct sanitation Line audits to ensure compliance
• Maintain accurate and complete sanitation documentation for audit readiness.
• Coordinate with team members, supervisors, and contractors for timely and effective cleaning.

Bottling and Processing Support

• Support production lines by ensuring equipment is cleaned properly and production schedules are met.
• Actively participate in shift meetings to connect sanitation, quality, and production priorities.
• Troubleshoot issues in real time related to material, batching, bottling, product quality, or employee safety.

Team Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead, coach and mentor developing team members in Quality/Food Safety, Sanitation,
• Collaborate with Bottling and Processing functions as needed
• Promote shared ownership of food safety and product quality across departments.
• Provide training on GMPs, sanitation procedures, safety practices, and quality/food safety protocols.
• Facilitate clear communication and alignment during shift handovers and troubleshooting activities.
• Lead activities such as non-conforming material investigations, facilitating RCA, covering department absences on shift and support safety initiatives and behaviors

Documentation, Auditing, and Compliance

• Maintain detailed records for all QA checks, sanitation logs, non-conformance reports, and corrective actions.
• Support internal, customer, and third-party audits as needed.
• Track and report performance metrics related to sanitation, quality compliance, and housekeeping.

Key Skills and Competencies

Leadership and Team Development

• Strong ability to coach and mentor cross-functional teams.
• Fair and inclusive leadership approach.
• Motivates teams and drives ownership at all levels.

Quality, Food Safety, and Sanitation Expertise

• Proficient in GMP, HACCP, SSOPs, and relevant regulatory requirements (FSSC, ISO, FDA, USDA, TTB).
• Knowledgeable in allergen control, sanitation validation, and root cause analysis.
• Experienced in supporting or leading regulatory and certification audits.

Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement

• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Familiarity with structured problem-solving tools (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone, PDCA).
• Exposure to Lean Manufacturing, 5S, or continuous improvement is beneficial.

Communication and Collaboration

• Clear and effective communication of quality issues and action plans.
• Strong written documentation and reporting skills.
• Works effectively with cross-functional teams including QA, Production, Maintenance, and Sanitation.

Planning and Organization

• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Strong attention to detail in managing sanitation schedules and documentation.
• Comfortable in fast-paced, dynamic environments.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field (preferred).
• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience in food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations, sanitation programs, and manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with ERP, QMS, LIMS, or MES systems is a plus.

Preferred Experience

• HACCP, PCQI, or food safety certification (e.g., SQF, BRC, FSSC).
• Experience in alcoholic beverage or high-speed bottling operations.
• Exposure to Lean Manufacturing or 5S environments.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• Ability to work the night shift, including weekends and holidays as needed.
• Willingness to work on the production floor in cold, wet, or warm environments.
• Ability to lift or move up to 50 lbs and remain on feet for extended periods.
• Required use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, safety glasses, and hearing protection.

Working hours are Sunday-Thursday 11pm-8am - training will take place on day shift 

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