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.

Performance Criteria:

The job has been successfully performed when:

• Fermentation Efficiency is above 85%.
• Distillation process efficiency is above 90%
• Alcohol recovery efficiency is 95% and above for column and above 85% for pots.
• Product quality conforms to the standards.
• HS&E Compliance is 100%
• Problems causing downtime in the production process are addressed with effective corrective actions to eliminate repeating issues.
• 5s compliance is fully adhered to.
• All raw materials for distillery operations are available (ie. Cane juice, pimento, jackfruit).
• High Ester Rums produced are shipped in accordance with Annual Production Schedule.

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.
• Analyze forecast requirements to identify liquid supply gaps, opportunities, and process constraints.
• Liaise with the liquid planner to outline potential constraints and propose corrective actions.
• Prepare the Annual Cane Juice requirement and delivery schedule for High Ester Fermenter Production
• Maintain accurate records for High Ester Rum transactions.
• Coordinate the ordering and transportation of Cane Juice supply with local suppliers.
• Ensure that all required raw materials are available to facilitate the production of fermenters at the High Ester and Main Distillery
• Monitor daily fermenter activities to determine status and availability for Distillation at the High Ester and Main Distillery
• Prepare Fermentation Schedule for High Ester and Main Distillery Fermenting Areas
• Prepare and monitor cleaning schedule for Clarifiers and Fermenting Tanks at High Ester and the Main Distillery
• Provide Supervisory support to the Main Distillery as required i.e. both Fermentation Operations and Distillation (Pot and Column)
• Identify any deviations from established procedures, standards or specification for fermenters or High Ester Rums and execute immediate corrective actions
• Ensures that Daily Management Systems are in place and maintained i.e. Daily Directional Setting Meetings and Behavioral Observation Audits.
• Prepares all reports relating to key Production activities in the Fermenting and High Ester Areas. This includes (not limited to) Daily SQDCM reports, downtime, Incident Reports related to QHSE Compliance.
• Maintain accurate records of raw material inventory, including usage and stock levels.
• Inspect rum butts for cleanliness and any defects to report to the maintenance department for action
• Prepare the appropriate forms and obtain authorization for rum transfers ( Rum Converters etc).
• Coordinate the transfer of High Ester Rums between Butts/Tanks with the Rum Stores Supervisor.
• Ensure that proper documentation is maintained at the Fermentation Area related to production or CIP activities.
• Prepare pre-shipment samples for High Ester Rums.
• Perform saponification (Estorification) tests on rum samples.
• Supervise the building of converters for increasing ester levels.
• Supervise the setting of culture vessels, Muck Pits and Butyric Acid Pits.
• Monitor the production of Lime Salts
• Responds to all QHSE Non-Conformances by completing and submitting Corrective and Preventative Action reports.
• Liaises with the Maintenance Department, when necessary, in the event of problems causing downtime in the manufacturing process.
• Lead and motivate members of High Ester and Main Distillery Team to increase the level of the team’s commitment and engagement.
• Monitors and coaches’ employees as required. Handles behavioral matters and take appropriate disciplinary action per established policy guidelines.
• Manages and provides input regarding individual team members’ performance, training and/or development needs.
• Ensure proper coordination of staff to eliminate inefficiencies through absenteeism and reduce overtime.
• Sign off Timecards for all direct reports in Kronos Timekeeper system.

• Coordinate/Manage verification and calibration of all critical instruments and maintain calibration records for audits.

• Conduct monthly warehouse assessments and complete the checklists.

• Review and update work instructions; implementation of new work instructions/processes.

• Any other duties considered within the scope of work. 

Authority

Authorization is required from Distillery Manager for new equipment purchases and supplies. Supplies from the stores must be authorized by Distillery Manager or designate. Work is performed independently with only general direction.

Key Relationships

Internal:    Distillery Manager, Maintenance Team Leader, Distillery Maintenance Team Leader, Distillery Team Leaders, Rum Stores Supervisor, Distillery Administrative Specialist, Capex/Projects Engineers, Quality Personnel, Stores Coordinator

External: Excise Officers, 3rd Party Contractors, Liquid Planning Department, Equipment Suppliers, Haulage Contractors

Reporting Relationships 

• Reports to: Distillery Manager
• Supervises: Distillery Operators, Distillery Assistants

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.

Education / Professional Qualifications

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

Skills

• Human relation and time management skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Proficient in Microsoft office software

Functional Competencies

• Knowledge of gas chromatography equipment.
• Shop Floor Operations including (not limited to):  Knowledge of the operating techniques and methods used in Fermentation and Distillation Processes
• Knowledge of the principles associated with Lean Manufacturing
• Knowledge of the principles associated with Autonomous Maintenance
• Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Principles relative to working in a manufacturing environment.
• Aware of the principles governing food safety
• Knowledge of HACCP, ISO and Food Safety as required by JWN.
• Working understanding of the Quality Management System

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 

Quality/Compliance

• Adherence to Quality, Food Safety, Health, Safety and Environmental policies (QHSE) Policies and regulatory requirements
• Achieving a standard of excellence with work processes and outcomes
• Adherence to applicable Food Safety requirements food Handlers’ Permit and Personal Hygiene Policy
• Adherence to guidelines for Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Consistently uphold and promote the Company’s Values: Integrity, Pragmatism and Togetherness Orientation

Other Skills

• Strong performance orientation
• Collaborative leadership skills and ability to influence.
• Excellent relationship builder
• Innovation/Problem solving/analysis.
• Excellent time management skills
• Planning and coordination
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Technical Capacity
• Adaptive/flexible, but firm when necessary
• Proactive/team player/motivator
• Demonstrates a “Can Do” mentality.

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

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.