Master Distiller Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

The Supply Chain Manager is responsible for leading all production planning and raw material purchasing activities for Castle & Key Distillery's internal brands and contract manufacturing operations. This role develops and executes production schedules, manages inventory and supplier relationships, and ensures the timely procurement of materials required for distillation and bottling operations. The Supply Planning Manager serves as the primary liaison between Operations, Sales, Finance, Quality, and contract clients to ensure production priorities are aligned, inventory is optimized, and customer commitments are achieved.

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Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesProduction Planning & Scheduling

• Lead production planning for all distillation and bottling activities supporting both Castle & Key brands and contract manufacturing clients.

• Develop and maintain master production schedules for grain receiving, mashing, fermentation, distillation, bottling, raw materials, and specialty production.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Sales, Finance, Quality, Warehouse, and Logistics to align production priorities and optimize plant capacity.

• Balance production requirements with inventory levels, customer demand, staffing, and operational constraints.

• Monitor production performance and yields to ensure production targets and client commitments are achieved.

• Communicate production schedules and schedule changes to all impacted departments.

Purchasing & Supply Planning

• Lead purchasing of all raw materials and production-related materials for internal operations and contract distillation and bottling clients.

• Develop purchasing strategies that maintain uninterrupted material flow while minimizing costs and improving supplier performance.

• Forecast raw material requirements and long-term inventory needs to support production plans.

• Maintain appropriate inventory levels to support operations while minimizing excess inventory.

• Create purchase orders, receive inventory, and reconcile inventory transactions within the ERP system.

• Research new suppliers and identify opportunities for cost savings, quality improvements, and supply chain resiliency.

Vendor Management

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with suppliers and vendors.

• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and service agreements to maximize value while ensuring quality and delivery expectations are met.

• Monitor supplier performance related to quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost.

• Coordinate inbound deliveries and material availability to support production schedules.

Production Coordination

• Lead all pre-production meetings for distillation and bottling runs to align departments, identify risks, and ensure smooth execution.

• Coordinate production readiness across Distillery, Bottling, Warehouse, Quality, Logistics, and Maintenance teams.

• Resolve scheduling conflicts and adjust production priorities as business needs change.

Inventory Management

• Forecast annual raw material requirements and multi-year packaging material demand.

• Monitor inventory accuracy and perform regular inventory reconciliations.

• Manage surplus materials, including the sale and disposition of used barrels and excess inventory when appropriate.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve planning processes, inventory management, purchasing practices, and supply chain performance.

• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to:

  • Supplier on-time delivery

  • Inventory accuracy

  • Production schedule adherence

  • Material availability

  • Inventory turns

  • Purchase price variance

• Support ERP implementation, optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Build strong working relationships across all operational departments.

• Promote collaboration between Production, Warehouse, Quality, Sales, Finance, and Hospitality.

• Support Castle & Key's mission, values, and strategic objectives through effective planning and execution.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business, Manufacturing, or related field preferred.

• 4 + years of experience in production planning, supply planning, purchasing, manufacturing operations, or supply chain management.

• Experience within beverage alcohol, food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, or similar manufacturing environment preferred.

• Experience supporting contract manufacturing operations is preferred.

• ERP/MRP planning experience required.

• Strong Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office skills.

• Excellent analytical, organizational, negotiation, and communication skills.

• Working knowledge of state and federal regulatory requirements affecting production operations is preferred.

• Knowledge of inventory management, purchasing, forecasting, and production scheduling principles.