Startup Distillery Operations Manager

Campari Group

Lawrenceburg (KY)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 190,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Campari Group is expanding Wild Turkey's distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, seeking an Operations Manager to own startup end-to-end—from commissioning to Day-1 readiness and ramp-up. You will be the single operational owner across engineering, operations, quality, and support functions to ensure a safe, compliant startup.

Qualified candidates have 5+ years in manufacturing, distillery/beverage experience, and strong cross-functional leadership.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field.
5+ years in manufacturing.
Distillery or beverage industry experience required; distillation preferred.
Strong cross-functional leadership in complex environments.
Experience working in union environments preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end startup governance from commissioning to Day-1 readiness and ramp-up.
Coordinate activities to rapidly stabilize production at the distillery.
Ensure process systems meet safety, quality, and performance standards.
Serve as the single operational owner across engineering, operations, quality, HR, and supply chain.
Manage external vendors, OEMs, and contractors to ensure readiness and validation.
Develop and execute training plans, staffing models, and onboarding for operations teams.