Title (External) Maintenance Supervisor - Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery; Frankfort, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky is seeking a Maintenance Supervisor to lead a multi-site team responsible for keeping the 450-acre campus, distillery, and packaging lines running at peak efficiency.

You will direct mechanics and electricians, drive a culture of operational excellence, and implement long-term infrastructure strategies while ensuring safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across the site.

Qualifications

• Minimum a Bachelor's degree with at least 3+ years in maintenance leadership
• Experience supervising a diverse team of technicians
• Proficiency in MS Office and data reporting
• Strong prioritization and multitasking skills
• Safety, quality, and compliance focus

Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise mechanics and electricians across a 450-acre campus.
• Lead maintenance operations to keep distillery and lines running at peak efficiency.
• Plan campus-wide improvements and contribute to long-term infrastructure strategies.
• Coach and develop the maintenance team with clear goals and recognition.
• Ensure safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across the site.
• Monitor performance metrics and manage annual operating budgets.

Skills

Leadership

Maintenance supervision

Team coaching

MS Office

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Description/Responsibilities

The opportunity:

This is not your average maintenance role. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a National Historic Landmark spanning 450 acres in Frankfort, Kentucky — a fully operational distillery producing bourbon, rye, and vodka with a tradition dating back to 1773. The campus is a living piece of American history, with a legacy shaped by legends such as E.H. Taylor Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, and Elmer T. Lee.

As Maintenance Supervisor, you will hold the keys to keeping this entire iconic campus running at peak performance. This is a campus-wide leadership role — not a single-line or single-building assignment. You will command a skilled team of mechanics and electricians, drive a culture of operational excellence, and leave your mark on one of the most celebrated distilleries in the world.

What you'll do:

Lead Campus-Wide Maintenance Operations

• Direct and supervise mechanics and electricians across the full 450-acre campus, ensuring distillery, bottling, and packaging lines operate at peak efficiency.
• Serve as the primary maintenance leader for the entire site — anticipating challenges, resolving issues proactively, and setting the standard for operational excellence.
• Plan and implement campus-wide operational and mechanical improvements, contributing to long‑term infrastructure strategies.

Drive Team Success & Build a Winning Culture

• Inspire, coach, and develop your maintenance team — creating a culture where every technician is empowered to grow, excel, and take pride in maintaining a world‑class facility.
• Motivate your team with clear goals, structured development plans, and consistent recognition of high performance.
• Foster a collaborative environment that encourages innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Deliver impactful technical training to maintenance technicians, mechanics, and operators, elevating skill levels across the board.

Ensure Safety, Quality & Compliance — Always

• Champion a safety‑first mindset across every inch of the campus — leading by example, conducting inspections, and ensuring co‑workers never work unsafely.
• Ensure all equipment is installed, set up, and maintained in full compliance with package specifications, Food Safety, OSHA, HACCP, and Environmental Policies.
• Analyze and resolve quality problems related to the Maintenance Department swiftly and decisively.

Optimize Performance & Manage Resources

• Track efficiencies and production data to continuously improve yields and output across all campus operations.
• Assist in preparing and managing annual operating budgets for the Maintenance Department, reducing costs without sacrificing quality.
• Evaluate employee performance, identify skill gaps, and build targeted improvement plans that move the needle.

Qualifications/Requirements

What you'll bring:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 3+ years of relevant maintenance leadership experience
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Strong ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously
• Good vision and manual dexterity

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in beverage processing or distillery/manufacturing environments
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles
• 4+ years designing and/or implementing OSHA, HACCP, or USDA programs

Working hours are 6pm-6am on a rotating 2-2-3 schedule

Why join our team?

• Lead maintenance across one of America’s most iconic and historic distilleries
• Shape the future of a 450-acre campus that is a National Historic Landmark
• Join a company with 20+ consecutive years of double-digit growth
• Competitive salary, full benefits, and a culture that invests in your development
• Be part of the team behind the world’s most award‑winning distillery

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