Manufacturing Supervisor - Buffalo Trace Distillery

Sazerac · Frankfort, KY

Level: Supervisor
Team: Manufacturing
Degree: Required
Industry: Food & beverage
Posted: 30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A supervisor manufacturing role at Sazerac (food & beverage) in Frankfort, KY. You will lead the day-to-day operations of assigned bottling lines.

They ask for: degree required
Tools it names: Lean, Six Sigma, OEE, Root cause, FDA / GMP, EHS / safety

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Production Supervisor roles in Kentucky: typical posted base $75k–$128k.

Median of the low and high ends of 5 live postings that list pay, out of 43 production supervisor openings in Kentucky, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Kentucky plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 10 other live manufacturing postings in Kentucky.

Experience asked: Not stated

Skills these teams ask for most

✓ Team leadership 55%
✓ Lean 27%
✓ Root cause 27%
✓ New product launch 27%
Welding 27%
Tooling 27%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for Six Sigma, FDA / GMP, EHS / safety, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

At a glance

Promotion path mentioned

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Sazerac
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: Sazerac in Frankfort

3 other open roles at this site.

Maintenance Supervisor - Buffalo Trace Distillery · Reliability · Supervisor
Electrical Controls Engineer - Buffalo Trace Distillery · Controls
Reliability Engineer - Buffalo Trace Distillery · Reliability

Full description from SazeracAs posted on their careers site.Show

requirements

throughout bottling processes.

✓Support root cause analysis and corrective actions for quality issues, working closely with QA and production teams to prevent recurrence.
✓Execute Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and ensure documentation is completed in compliance with internal and external standards.

Required Qualifications

✓Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Food Science, or a related field
✓Strong communication skills , both written and verbal, with the ability to interact across all levels of the organization
✓Demonstrated ability to problem-solve , prioritize tasks , and manage time in a fast-paced environment
✓Basic understanding of manufacturing or production environments (through coursework, internships, or related experiences)
✓Commitment to safety , quality, and continuous improvement
✓Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); familiarity with production software or ERP systems is a plus

Preferred Qualifications

✓Internship, co-op, or academic project experience in a manufacturing, operations, or supply chain environment
✓Exposure to Lean Manufacturing , Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies
✓Familiarity with food or beverage production , packaging, or quality control standards
✓Knowledge of regulatory compl

Show full description ↓

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, 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.

Company/Location Overview

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Franklin County, Kentucky, whose rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787. Buffalo Trace is a fully operational distillery producing bourbon, rye, and vodka on site, and is listed on the National Historic Register. Buffalo Trace has been awarded seven distillery titles since 2000 and has also garnered more than 150 awards for its premium whiskies. www.buffalotrace.com

Position Overview

As a Bottling Supervisor at Buffalo Trace Distillery (Sazerac), you will lead the day-to-day operations of assigned bottling lines. You’ll supervise production teams, ensure adherence to safety and quality standards, maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, and drive continuous improvement in efficiency, cost, and output. You’ll play a key role in delivering defect-free products on time and within budget while fostering a positive, safe, and performance-driven team culture.

Production Execution & Operational Excellence

•Lead daily execution of bottling line operations to meet production plans while ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and efficiency standards.
•Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), downtime, yields, and throughput, and drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize line performance.
•Utilize data and systems to proactively identify production risks and bottlenecks; implement corrective actions in real-time to maintain operational flow.

Team Leadership & Performance Management

•Direct, coach, and develop a team of hourly production associates to achieve high levels of engagement, safety, and performance.
•Promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture through consistent feedback, recognition, and performance development.
•Partner with HR and management to manage team schedules, attendance, performance reviews, and corrective actions.

Safety & Compliance

•Ensure a safe working environment by enforcing all OSHA and company safety policies; conduct regular safety audits, toolbox talks, and incident investigations.
•Support company initiatives to achieve zero safety incidents and champion a safety-first mindset throughout the team.
•Ensure adherence to all regulatory and quality compliance standards including OSHA, FDA, TTB, and internal food safety programs.

Quality & Food Safety

•Maintain strict adherence to quality standards, product specifications, and sanitation

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Process Improvement

•Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Maintenance, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, and Engineering to drive performance and resolve issues.
•Participate in line start-ups, changeovers, and continuous improvement initiatives to support new product introductions or packaging changes.
•Recommend and implement improvements in process, equipment, or layout to reduce waste and cost, and increase efficiency.

System & Process Ownership

•Utilize production software, ERP systems, and digital tools for tracking production metrics, documenting performance, and managing workflow.
•Ensure timely and accurate completion of all production-related documentation, logs, and reports.
•Support audits, inspections, and other regulatory or customer-driven evaluations as required.