Director of US Bottling Operations

MGP Ingredients is a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and food ingredient solutions. Its Distilling Solutions segment provides bourbons, whiskeys, ryes, gins, and vodkas to craft and multinational brands. MGP's own Branded Spirts business is growing following the 2021 acquisition of Luxco, a top spirits producer, bottler, supplier, and importer as well as the 2023 acquisition of Penelope Bourbon, known for its wide range of uniquely blended expressions. Ingredient Solutions delivers nutritional, functional wheat- and pea-based ingredients aligned with consumer trends. The company operates in locations across the Midwestern U.S., and overseas in Northern Ireland and Mexico.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

This position is responsible for all activities and processes within the St. Louis and Cleveland Branded Spirits manufacturing sites. This is accomplished through leading a team to achieve KPI metrics through direct or indirect management of the individual departments. Key responsibilities include safety, product quality, plant performance, warehousing operations and maintenance. In addition, this role participates in the execution of Corporate, and plant level strategies and tactics.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

• Team Leadership -- Leads team of department managers and their subordinates (estimated 150 employees) to ensure plant goals and objectives are communicated, understood, and achieved.
• Financial Management -- Manage and monitor manufacturing facilities budgets and other key financial data to assure the St. Louis and Cleveland budget is at or below budget plan.
• Operational KPI’s -- Develop and manage monthly Key Performance Metrics that align with plant annual plan in terms of spend, utilization, quality, and safety.
• People Development -- Provide coaching, counseling and continuous feedback to build a team of competent leaders necessary to achieve and sustain plant objectives in the present and into the future. Directing employment decisions to maximize overall bench strength and long-term stability.
• Continuous Improvement -- Lead Branded Spirits manufacturing site leaders utilizing corporate resources to identify, assess and implement change to maintain peak performance of quality, productivity and efficiency within each facility.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• BS Degree preferably in a technical or manufacturing related field. MBA is desirable.
• Proficient in understanding financial analysis.
• Training and experience in a food and beverage manufacturing environment.
• Experience with ISO and OHSAS and Food Safety certifications and auditing processes to ensure a best-in-class food and beverage manufacturing facility.
• Managerial experience within the manufacturing and/or warehousing industry, preferably in the food and/or beverage manufacturing environment.
• Experience with operations leadership and capital investment management. Minimum 5 years of experience.
• Setting and approving annual and monthly forecasts on spend, volume, yield, efficiency and expense, participate in annual budgeting process and overseeing operation to ensure plan budget is met.
• Assisting in developing the manufacturing schedule in conjunction with customer service, setting priorities and direction for the organization to achieve plan and forecast and production schedule.
• Directing employment decisions for hiring and terminating operations and warehousing employees, leading, coaching and evaluating staff employee performance.
• Facilitate Labor Management relations up to and including the grievance process and contract negotiations.
• Establish plant policy and continuous improvement projects, selecting future promotions within the organization, participate in strategy sessions with corporate team to maximize business revenue and profit.

PHYISCAL REQUIREMENTS:

Type of Equipment Operated: Includes frequently used office equipment, computer software programs, manuals, books, or other written resources, hand tools, power tools, two-way radios, and other tools/equipment/resources; Includes use of sanitation equipment and lab/field equipment; Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook, SAP, copier/printer. Office Equipment: Computer, Copier, Fax machine, two-way radio.

If you require a reasonable accommodation in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caitlin Zbikowski, Talent Manager @ c.zbikowski@mgpi.com.

If the above speaks to you, we’re excited to learn more about you! At MGP, we know that our people are our greatest strength. With different perspectives and unique ways of thinking, our employees are as varied as our products. We believe that inclusivity strengthens the organization and champions a company culture that is evolving to reflect all of us. Culture results from our behaviors, our personal commitment, our curiosity, how we collaborate, and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and expect others to do the same. Each of us can make a difference by fostering thinking and actions that empower us to connect, belong and grow together.

Compensation is competitive and is commensurate with experience. MGP offers exceptional medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k) Match and PTO.

All successful candidates for this position will be required to submit to a criminal background check and drug test.