Director, Operations (Bottling)

Where Conviviality is at work.  

North American Distillers (NADL) is where we manufacture our award-winning American Whiskeys such as Jefferson’s, Rabbit Hole, TX Whiskey, Skrewball, and Smooth Ambler.  NADL is part of Pernod Ricard, a global premium spirits and wine company. We’re the team behind leading brands such as ABSOLUT® Vodka, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, and The Glenlivet® Scotch whiskey, as well as many more superior wines and exquisite champagnes! 

Working at NADL is all about igniting conviviality in all that we do. Derived from the French word, convivialité…it means human connection, authenticity, friendly, and jovial. Conviviality is energy and spirit with a splash of je ne sais quoi and is a core philosophy around how we live and work at Pernod Ricard.  

Guided by our 4 core values: (1) grounded in the real; (2) fiercely authentic; (3) passion for challenge; and (4) connected beyond borders; we are team players, dream makers, trailblazers, movers and (cocktail) shakers. We have a passion for living life to the fullest, making new friends every day, and realizing our potential as people and as a business! 

The salary range for this role, based in Fort Smith, is $123,520.00 to $154,400.00 The range will vary if outside of this location.  Base salaries are determined during our interview process, by assessing a candidate’s experience, skills against internal peers and against the scope and responsibilities of the position.

Position Summary

To establish strategic direction and action plans for Bottling. Ensures compliance and excellence in Customer Service, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Product, Safety, Environmental and Employee Health & Safety.  This senior leadership position will be responsible for challenging existing norms,  leading change initiatives and delivering projects on time and within budget.  Focuses on developing organizational and people capabilities in order to maximize business objectives and results, ensure sustainable succession planning and employee engagement. Member of the site Leadership team focused on continuous improvement, cross functional communication and cooperation between functions to maximize site opportunity and profitability.

Major Responsibilities / Accountabilities

• Provide leadership to managers, supervisors and/or professional staff as well as hourly operators.
• Builds high performance work groups focused on customer service and delivering results.  Inspires and motivates employees to achieve performance levels and potential through highly developed coaching skills, communication skills and by ensuring proper development training.
• Develop department culture that fosters teamwork, fast pace, training, effective communication, accountability and high individual performance culture.
• Mentor salaried leadership, through creation of development plans tailored to individual employees, towards continuous improvement.
• Direct supervision of Bottling Supervisors
• Implement world class manufacturing techniques in pursuit of continuous improvement.
• Contributes to the evolution of bottling strategy in response to requirements and market needs in alignment with Group strategy
• Drive production performance to achieve targeted improvements and high level KPI targets.
• Leads the effort to achieve stretch business results by being a champion of Continuous Improvement utilizing Lean Manufacturing tools, specifically pertaining to changeover, first hour efficiency, OEE and cost per case.
• Establish production quality standards, ensure detailed work instructions, quality checks and resources are available to meet standards.
• Ensure compliance with all OHSA standards.  Ensure all aspects of ISO18001, 9001, 2200 and 14001 are delivered on time. 
• Drive improvement in the facility's Operations Excellence progress as defined by Group.
• Solicit and implement cost reduction and waste elimination initiatives from hourly and supervisory workforce.
• Participates in goal setting and accountable for own, limited budget (Bottling) for assets administration and goals. Operations in predetermined limits.
• Enhance and encourage employee involvement in daily production processes by listening, educating and quantifying their ideas for improvement.
• Support new product initiatives as developed.  Ensure all required resources are addressed and obtained to ensure successful product launches.
• Achieve key legislative and technical standards.
• TTB/US Customs Compliance.
• AAP/EEO Compliance.
• HAZMAT/DOT Compliance.
• HACCO-GMP Certification.
• Quality Standards Implementation.
• COSRI Achievement.
• PMPs – KPIs.
• Promote the Pernod Ricard Safety Culture initiative and ensure that safety concerns are addressed in a timely manner.

Key Requirements

• Technical degree in Engineering or Business. Masters Preferred
• 5-7 years manufacturing experience in various leadership roles and responsibilities are required for this position.
• Dynamic leadership and employee engagement skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Total production management including balancing quality and quantity. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.  Long-range goal setting abilities.  Adequately versed in most common office and production and inventory control software programs.
• Strong interpersonal skills: ability to build relationships and facilitate learning
• Proficiency with computer applications and Microsoft products.
• Financial and budgeting experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrate commitment to the PR USA, Fort Smith QSE Management System policy, procedures, and dedication to the achievement of Operational Excellence, business performance, and sustainability through:
• Producing quality products with a focus on customer satisfaction and cost-effective operations
• Identifying and reducing product safety risks and practicing good manufacturing practices
• Practicing safety awareness and safe work practices to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees, contractors and visitors: by identifying and reducing safety risks, maintaining a clean work environment, and practicing good health, hygiene, and safety practices
• Protection of the environment through recycling, minimizing waste, and conservation of natural resources
• Work closely with logistics, planning and raw material divisions to identify efficiency and ensure inventory targets are met without compromising customer service levels.
• Able to create new bottling processes and ways of working

When you join North American Distillers, you are part of the Pernod Ricard family. You’ll experience a workplace that is rich in heritage, driven by our iconic brands and a long-standing commitment to sustainability, safety, and giving back to the people and communities where we work. We know that happiness at work starts with that feeling of belonging you get from an inclusive culture where being uniquely you is celebrated. Our values are lived, they drive our behaviors, and it’s what brings our culture to life. 

Our work philosophy celebrates the magic of human connection with the flexibility needed to provide one's most meaningful contribution. We offer employees great benefits and perks to toast to a life filled with support. Check out PRUSABenefits.com for details. 

NADL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It employs qualified individuals based solely on ability, training, and experience, and does not and will not, discriminate for or against any employee or applicant for employment or promotion based upon actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service or any other classification protected by law. Offers will be subject to United States local terms.

NADL is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Pernod Ricard USA will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. To request reasonable accommodation during the application process, contact us at PR_NA_TalentAcquisition@pernod-ricard.com.

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