High Ester Team Lead

Campari Group today is a major player in the global branded spirits industry, with a portfolio of over 50 premium and super premium brands, marketed and distributed in over 190 markets around the world, with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. 

Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Campari Group owns 22 plants worldwide and has its own distribution network in 22 countries, and employs approximately 4,000 people.

Shares of the parent company Davide Campari - Milano N.V. are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. Campari Group is today the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry.

General Description of the Role/Position Context

Reporting to the Distillery Manager the professional is responsible for supervising all operations of High Ester Distillery, providing supervisory support to the Main Distillery as required. The High Ester Team Leader is also responsible for all Rum transfers in and out of the High Ester Rum Store.

Mission/Objectives

The High Ester Team Lead aspires to be an individual who demonstrates the core competencies of Passion, Integrity, Pragmatism and Togetherness while on the job. The professional must respond to the needs of the organization in an efficient, quality oriented, safe and cost-effective manner while maintaining excellent customer satisfaction and preserving staff morale. The High Ester Team Lead achieves this in ways that demonstrates teamwork, to accomplish the desired objectives of the company through good manufacturing practices, synergy, and innovation. This will ensure that sustainability, growth, and value for all will be realized within the company and its environment.

Key Activities & Responsibilities

• Supervise activities in the Distillery Operations to ensure production efficiencies are achieved i.e. Fermenter Efficiency, Alcohol Recovery Efficiency and Process Efficiency (O.E.E).
• Ensure all Fermenters produced, and Rums Distilled, meets the quality standards required for production and shipment.
• Assist with the drafting of the Annual High Ester Rum Production Schedule in collaboration with the Liquid Planning Department.
• Ensure full adherence to Production Schedules to meet required shipments to Kingston.
• Analyzes forecast data to identify liquid supply gaps and process constraints, coordinating with the liquid planner to resolve issues.
• Manages annual cane juice requirements, orders, and delivery schedules, ensuring availability of all raw materials for fermentation.
• Monitors daily fermenter operations and prepares fermentation and cleaning schedules for both High Ester and Main Distilleries.
• Maintains accurate records for rum transactions, raw material inventory, and production documentation, ensuring QHSE compliance.
• Provides supervisory support across fermentation and distillation processes, including pot and column stills.
• Conducts inspections, prepares rum samples, performs esterification tests, and supervises culture vessel and converter setups.
• Leads and motivates distillery teams, manages performance, training, and disciplinary actions, and ensures efficient staffing.
• Reviews and updates work instructions, implements new processes, and ensures calibration of critical instruments.
• Prepares daily production and incident reports, conducts warehouse assessments, and maintains audit-ready records.
• Coordinates with maintenance to address downtime issues and ensures smooth rum transfer logistics with the Rum Stores Supervisor.

Experience Required

• Thorough knowledge of all processes carried out and equipment used in the High Ester and Main Distillery Areas
• Capable of sensory evaluation and analysis of GC results.
• At least two (2) years’ experience in the capacity of a supervisor
• Good knowledge of Distillation Processes.
• Human relation and time management skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Proficient in Microsoft office software.

Education / Professional Qualifications

• First Degree in Production Operations or a Chemistry related field.

Functional Competencies

• Working knowledge of gas chromatography equipment and its application in quality control.
• Familiarity with shop floor operations and techniques used in fermentation and distillation processes.
• Understanding of lean principles to support efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of practices that empower operators to maintain equipment and prevent breakdowns.
• Awareness of safety principles relevant to manufacturing environments.
• Understanding of food safety fundamentals and regulatory expectations.
• Knowledge of HACCP, ISO standards, and food safety protocols as required by JWN.
• Working understanding of the Quality Management System and its operational application.

Technical

• Heightened technical ability.
• Proficient in Kronos timekeeping software
• Training in Root Cause Analysis and Continuous Improvement Techniques
• Training in Performance Management Principles
• Organizational Competencies

At Campari Group we believe in building more value together, thus we see diversity in all forms as a source of enrichment. Our employment policies and practices ensure that we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all aspects of employment without regard to any individual’s race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or characteristics or expression, political affiliation or activity, age, veteran status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Note to applicants:

Your application will be assessed based on your abilities, expertise, general knowledge and experience, not because of any confidential, proprietary or trade secret information you may possess. You must not disclose to Campari Group any such information. In the event that you are asked a question that cannot be answered without disclosure of any confidential, proprietary or trade secret information (including from a current or prior employer or their vendors or customers), you must decline to answer the question.

Notice to third party agencies:

Please refrain from cold-calling or emailing our executive leadership team or the HR community directly. The Talent Acquisition department manages centralized recruiting operations globally, including the selection and management of external suppliers. Currently, our preferred supplier list is at full capacity. To ensure we have your information on file for future consideration, we kindly request that you complete the online form provided here.

People Managers and HR Business Partners at Campari Group are encouraged to have open career conversations with their team members and to support employee’s career development. We encourage you to share your decision of applying for this role to your direct manager and/or your local HR.