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Distillery Maintenance Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As Maintenance Manager, you'll own the reliability, safety, and continuous improvement of all distillery, barrel warehousing, and distribution maintenance operations. You'll lead a team of up to 10 ...

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Step into a hands-on leadership role at the core of our distillery operations, where you'll lead ... Support long-term planning, including capital investments, while maintaining control of inventory ...

Lead & develop team members across the distillery, setting the standard for performance, safety ... Support long-term planning, including capital investments, while maintaining control of inventory ...

Distiller

Three Oaks, MI · On-site

$14 - $19.25/hr

Over the past 15 years, Journeyman Distillery has become a staple for genuine hospitality and world ... Create and maintain detailed records of production through Stillhouse and Excel spreadsheets,

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Distillery Maintenance information

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How much do distillery maintenance jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for distillery maintenance in the United States is $31.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.08 and $38.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the career path in a distillery?

A career in distillery maintenance typically starts with entry-level technician roles responsible for equipment upkeep and repairs. With experience, technicians can advance to senior maintenance positions, supervisory roles, or specialized technical roles, often requiring knowledge of plumbing, electrical systems, and safety protocols. Certifications in industrial maintenance or specific equipment can support career progression within the industry.

What is the difference between Distillery Maintenance vs Brewery Maintenance?

AspectDistillery MaintenanceBrewery Maintenance
CertificationsGeneral HVAC, electrical, mechanical skillsSimilar certifications, often including HVAC and plumbing
Work EnvironmentDistilleries with specialized equipment for spiritsBrewery facilities with brewing and fermentation equipment
Industry UsagePrimarily in spirits productionPrimarily in beer production
Job ResponsibilitiesMaintaining distillation equipment, boilers, tanksMaintaining brewing tanks, fermentation vessels, piping

Distillery Maintenance and Brewery Maintenance share similar skills and work environments, focusing on equipment upkeep in beverage production facilities. The main difference lies in the specific equipment and processes related to spirits versus beer production. Both roles require technical skills in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, making them closely related in the industry.

How much money does a distiller make?

A distillery maintenance worker's salary varies depending on experience, location, and employer, but typically ranges from $40,000 to $70,000 annually. Skilled workers with certifications and experience in equipment repair and safety protocols tend to earn higher wages.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

In the context of distillery maintenance, high-paying roles such as senior maintenance managers or specialized technicians can earn around $2,000 per day, especially with extensive experience, certifications, and working in high-demand environments. These positions often require advanced skills, safety training, and sometimes overtime or shift work to reach such compensation levels.

What's the highest paid maintenance job?

In maintenance roles, specialized positions such as industrial maintenance managers or senior plant engineers tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding $80,000 to $100,000 annually. These roles typically require advanced technical skills, certifications, and experience in managing complex equipment and systems within manufacturing or industrial environments.

What are distillery maintenance workers?

Distillery maintenance workers are responsible for ensuring that all equipment and machinery at a distillery operate smoothly and efficiently. Their tasks include inspecting, repairing, and maintaining production equipment such as stills, pumps, boilers, and conveyor systems. They also perform preventative maintenance to minimize downtime and ensure that safety and quality standards are met. This role is essential for keeping the distillery running effectively and producing high-quality spirits.

What are some common challenges faced in a distillery maintenance role and how can they be managed?

Distillery maintenance professionals often encounter challenges such as managing the upkeep of aging equipment, ensuring safety compliance in a potentially hazardous environment, and minimizing downtime during production. Staying organized with preventative maintenance schedules and responding quickly to unexpected breakdowns are crucial for success. Effective communication with production teams and staying up-to-date with industry safety standards can help manage these challenges and ensure smooth operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Distillery Maintenance Technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Distillery Maintenance Technician, you need a solid background in mechanical and electrical systems, often supported by vocational training or relevant certifications. Familiarity with tools such as PLC systems, boilers, pumps, and HVAC equipment is essential for troubleshooting and repairs. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team are crucial soft skills. These competencies ensure the safe, efficient, and uninterrupted operation of distillery equipment, directly impacting production quality and workplace safety.
More about Distillery Maintenance jobs
What cities are hiring for Distillery Maintenance jobs? Cities with the most Distillery Maintenance job openings:
What states have the most Distillery Maintenance jobs? States with the most job openings for Distillery Maintenance jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Distillery Maintenance jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Distillery Maintenance jobs are:
Infographic showing various Distillery Maintenance job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 76% Part Time, 5% Temporary, 9% Contract, and 5% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,662 per year, or $31.6 per hour.

Distillery Maintenance Manager

Buffalo Trace Distillery

Frankfort, KY • On-site

Other

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

Company/Location Overview
About Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery has been producing bourbon on the banks of the Kentucky River since 1773 - making it one of the oldest continually operating distilleries in the United States. It's home to some of the most coveted bottles in the world: Pappy Van Winkle, Blanton's, Eagle Rare, and the distillery's namesake, Buffalo Trace Bourbon.
The distillery has earned more than 300 awards and 17 'Distillery of the Year' titles. It is a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As part of the Sazerac family of companies - one of the fastest-growing spirits companies in the world - Buffalo Trace combines heritage craftsmanship with modern, ambitious growth.
Job Description/Responsibilities
About the Role
This is a high-impact, hands-on leadership role at the heart of Buffalo Trace Distillery - a National Historic Landmark that has been crafting award-winning bourbon since 1773. As Maintenance Manager, you'll own the reliability, safety, and continuous improvement of all distillery, barrel warehousing, and distribution maintenance operations.
You'll lead a team of up to 10 skilled technicians, drive toward 95%+ equipment uptime, and partner across production, safety, and engineering to solve problems before they become shutdowns. This role requires strong technical instincts, managerial courage, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
What You'll Do
  • Own maintenance operations across the distillery, barrel warehousing, and distribution - planning, scheduling, budgeting, and execution
  • Lead and develop a team of up to 10 skilled maintenance technicians; evaluate performance, identify skill gaps, and build improvement plans
  • Drive 95%+ equipment uptime through a disciplined mix of preventive, predictive, and reactive maintenance
  • Manage CMMS utilization and work order systems; reduce MTTR and increase MTBF across critical equipment
  • Ensure safety is engineered into every project - review safety work orders, partner with the Safety Department, and maintain contractor compliance
  • Oversee capital projects and new installations from design through commissioning; write and cost-justify CARs
  • Develop and maintain SOPs for MRO inventory and PM scheduling; ensure GMP and quality standard adherence
  • Champion the 5S initiative and build a culture of continuous improvement within the maintenance team
  • Support a positive, self-directed team culture consistent with Sazerac's values and Collective Bargaining Agreements

What to Expect
This role operates in an active manufacturing environment and requires physical presence on the floor. Candidates should be prepared for:
  • A demanding schedule with flexibility for evenings, weekends, and on-call response as production needs arise
  • Physical requirements including standing for extended periods, climbing stairs and ladders, bending, kneeling, and working in varying conditions
  • A fast-moving, high-accountability culture where problems get solved - not escalated

Qualifications/Requirements
REQUIRED
PREFERRED
5-10 years of maintenance management experience
Distillery, brewing, or CPG manufacturing experience
Bachelor's Degree
Experience in an alcohol beverage environment
Proven record of 95%+ equipment uptime
Union environment management
Experience leading skilled trades teams (union a plus)
MBA or advanced degree
CMMS/work order systems proficiency
Organizational development background
Project management from concept through commissioning
5S / Lean manufacturing experience
Strong MS Office skills (Word, Excel, Outlook)
Ability to communicate across all organizational levels
Physical ability to work on-site: standing, climbing, bending
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