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, Traveller, and Sazerac Rye. Additionally, Sazerac owns many popular brands across a range of spirits, including Fireball, Svedka, Wheatley, BuzzBallz, 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.
Job Description / Responsibilities The
Operational Excellence Lead
is responsible for deploying and sustaining a structured performance management system that drives continuous improvement across the integrated supply chain. This role partners closely with site leaders and cross‑functional teams to standardize work, improve performance, optimize costs, and embed a culture of operational excellence across global operations.
Key Responsibilities
Deploy and integrate the Performance Development System (PDS) to align individual capability development with performance targets
Establish and lead a structured performance management framework using RCA, GEMBA, KAIZEN, PMS, and Lost Cost Tree methodologies
Partner with operations, finance, and site leadership to identify priority areas, performance losses, and root causes
Lead standardized work area design, visual management systems, and zone ownership implementation
Foster a culture of continuous improvement through coaching, training, and Lean methodologies
Integrate Total Quality Management (TQM) principles to reduce variability and sustain quality standards
Develop, monitor, and refine KPIs aligned with business priorities
Drive productivity initiatives by eliminating waste and resolving operational bottlenecks
Lead strategic planning and deployment of performance improvement initiatives
Support world‑class customer service through improved efficiency, accuracy, and reliability
Qualifications / Requirements Must Have
Bachelor’s degree
Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience
Experience leading Lean Manufacturing Work Systems
Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and methodologies
Demonstrated strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and change leadership skills
Proven coaching, analytical, and problem‑solving capabilities
Data‑driven decision‑making mindset
Physical & Travel Requirements
Ability to move between worksites and operational areas as needed
Up to 50% domestic travel to satellite facilities (primarily Kentucky and Carrollton, TX), with remaining time based at a primary facility
Culture and Benefits A career at Sazerac offers you the opportunity to reach your full potential as part of a creative, decisive, high‑performance team. Sazerac values the needs and wants of our team members and offers inclusive benefits to attract and retain the best talent. Our culture is built upon the values of hard work, diligence and personal responsibility.
Sazerac Team Members Enjoy
Competitive Pay
Comprehensive Benefits from Day One including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
Family Coverage: Options to cover family members, including domestic partners
401(k) Plan: Immediate access to a matching 401(k) plan
Flexible Time Away: Enjoy paid time off (PTO), holidays, and parental leave
Mental Health and Wellness: Access to mental health care and wellness incentive programs
Educational Support: Benefit from tuition reimbursement and our scholarship program for dependents of Sazerac team members
Fun Extras: Enjoy branded apparel, fun events, and a team member bottle purchase program
Training and Development: Opportunities for professional growth and development
Benefits, salary range, and programs may vary by role or location. For roles within our commercial team - the salary range refers to base salary only and does not include car allowance, annual bonus, fuel or cell phone reimbursement. Please ask your Talent Acquisition Partner for more information about our total rewards package. 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.
Min: USD $102,869.34/Yr.
Max: USD $154,304.01/Yr.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
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.
Job Description / Responsibilities The
Operational Excellence Lead
is responsible for deploying and sustaining a structured performance management system that drives continuous improvement across the integrated supply chain. This role partners closely with site leaders and cross‑functional teams to standardize work, improve performance, optimize costs, and embed a culture of operational excellence across global operations.
Key Responsibilities
Deploy and integrate the Performance Development System (PDS) to align individual capability development with performance targets
Establish and lead a structured performance management framework using RCA, GEMBA, KAIZEN, PMS, and Lost Cost Tree methodologies
Partner with operations, finance, and site leadership to identify priority areas, performance losses, and root causes
Lead standardized work area design, visual management systems, and zone ownership implementation
Foster a culture of continuous improvement through coaching, training, and Lean methodologies
Integrate Total Quality Management (TQM) principles to reduce variability and sustain quality standards
Develop, monitor, and refine KPIs aligned with business priorities
Drive productivity initiatives by eliminating waste and resolving operational bottlenecks
Lead strategic planning and deployment of performance improvement initiatives
Support world‑class customer service through improved efficiency, accuracy, and reliability
Qualifications / Requirements Must Have
Bachelor’s degree
Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience
Experience leading Lean Manufacturing Work Systems
Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and methodologies
Demonstrated strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and change leadership skills
Proven coaching, analytical, and problem‑solving capabilities
Data‑driven decision‑making mindset
Physical & Travel Requirements
Ability to move between worksites and operational areas as needed
Up to 50% domestic travel to satellite facilities (primarily Kentucky and Carrollton, TX), with remaining time based at a primary facility
Culture and Benefits A career at Sazerac offers you the opportunity to reach your full potential as part of a creative, decisive, high‑performance team. Sazerac values the needs and wants of our team members and offers inclusive benefits to attract and retain the best talent. Our culture is built upon the values of hard work, diligence and personal responsibility.
Sazerac Team Members Enjoy
Competitive Pay
Comprehensive Benefits from Day One including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
Family Coverage: Options to cover family members, including domestic partners
401(k) Plan: Immediate access to a matching 401(k) plan
Flexible Time Away: Enjoy paid time off (PTO), holidays, and parental leave
Mental Health and Wellness: Access to mental health care and wellness incentive programs
Educational Support: Benefit from tuition reimbursement and our scholarship program for dependents of Sazerac team members
Fun Extras: Enjoy branded apparel, fun events, and a team member bottle purchase program
Training and Development: Opportunities for professional growth and development
Benefits, salary range, and programs may vary by role or location. For roles within our commercial team - the salary range refers to base salary only and does not include car allowance, annual bonus, fuel or cell phone reimbursement. Please ask your Talent Acquisition Partner for more information about our total rewards package. 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.
Min: USD $102,869.34/Yr.
Max: USD $154,304.01/Yr.
#J-18808-Ljbffr