US Manufacturing Senior Director (Wild Turkey / Wilderness Trail)

Campari Group•Lexington, KY

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Campari Group is a major player in the global branded spirits industry with over 50 premium and super premium brands distributed in over 190 markets. Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Campari Group owns 25 plants worldwide and has its own distribution network in 26 countries, employing approximately 4,700 people. The company is listed on the Italian Stock Exchange and is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. This role is an opportunity to lead distillery, warehouse, packaging, and maintenance operations across two iconic Kentucky locations, shaping the future of bourbon manufacturing.

Requirements

Bourbon industry experience is a must — Distillation, Aging and Bottling, you know what it takes to produce world-class whiskey. From grain to barrel to bottle
10+ years of supervisory/management experience in manufacturing, production, warehousing and maintenance/engineering
Proven Site Leadership track record
Demonstrated experience leading labor relations in a unionized manufacturing environment, with a proven track record of developing productive union relationships.
Hands-on experience preparing for and participating in collective bargaining negotiations (e.g., strategy development, costing support, proposal development, table negotiations, and post-ratification implementation).
BA/BS in Business, Engineering, or relevant experience
Outstanding communicator — you can inspire a shift supervisor and present to the VP in the same morning

Nice To Haves

Execution & Foresight — delivering results while anticipating what's next
Technical Excellence — mastery of manufacturing with the ability to teach and scale it
Business Judgment — balancing financial, operational, and organizational priorities with confidence
People Development — attracting, growing, and retaining top talent
Teamwork — building bridges across functions, sites, and levels

Responsibilities

Lead and inspire teams across Distilling, Packaging, Warehousing, and Maintenance — driving a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement
Own the plant's SQDCP performance: Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People — every single day
Manage Labor Relations, including collective bargaining agreement processes with the local union, turning challenges into engagement opportunities
Champion Employee Engagement initiatives across both sites — building a more productive, motivated, and connected workforce
Set the strategic plan and annual budget for both sites, while staying hands-on in day-to-day performance
Partner with Planning, Customer Service, and Innovation teams to bring new products to life
Develop, coach, and grow a high-performing site leadership team (Packaging, Distillery, Barrel Warehouse, and Maintenance/Engineering Managers)
Drive full compliance with TTB, GMP, ISO, and all food safety standards
Align local operations with Campari Group manufacturing standards — while keeping Kentucky's bourbon spirit front and center