Continuous Improvement Engineer
About the job
- A bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field is required.
- Experience in a fast-paced manufacturing or production environment.
- Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects.
- Ability to move throughout manufacturing facilities and support operations across multiple work areas.
- Ability to travel up to 50% as needed.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with varying conditions.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, waste reduction, and overall equipment effectiveness improvement.
- Analyze production and operational data to identify root causes and drive process optimization efforts.
- Partner with Operations, Quality, and Maintenance teams to implement process improvements and resolve production issues.
- Support capital expenditure planning and execution for projects that improve capacity, productivity, and cost performance.
- Develop and standardize processes using Lean, Six Sigma, and Plan-Do-Check-Act methodologies.
- Experience in alcohol beverage, food manufacturing, or consumer packaged goods environments.
- Experience with process design, implementation, and optimization initiatives.
- Experience driving organizational change and continuous improvement projects.
About the company
Sazerac is an independent, family-owned American company that creates and distributes a wide range of alcoholic beverages. It owns and operates distilleries and brands in the United States and around the world, producing whiskies, vodkas, rums, liqueurs, and other spirits that are bottled and sold through retailers, bars, and distributors. The company emphasizes a blend of history, culture, relationships, technology, and its people to drive growth, with a track record of double-digit growth since the 2000s. What sets Sazerac apart is its long family ownership, global footprint, diverse brand portfolio, and emphasis on people and partnerships. Its goal is to be one of the industry’s most desirable places to be, continuing to grow its brands and reach while promoting responsible drinking and a strong company culture.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Metairie, Louisiana
Founded
1850
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- September 2026 Berentzen plus August 2026 Au Vodka broaden Sazerac's international portfolio quickly.
- September 2026 Mr. Fancy and Glenmore launches target younger drinkers and new occasions.
- Kentucky VALOR partnership from September 2026 strengthens hiring pipelines for tourism and hospitality roles.
What critics are saying
- Brown-Forman rejected Sazerac's April 2026 bid, exposing dealmaking limits and distraction.
- Berentzen depends on shareholder approval; failure would stall Sazerac's Q4 2026 Europe plan.
- If spirits demand keeps weakening through 2027, acquisition spending destroys returns and strains margins.
What makes Sazerac unique
- September 2026 Berentzen bid gives Sazerac European manufacturing and distribution reach.
- August 2026 Garrard County purchase deepens Kentucky distilling control and barrel-aging capacity.
- Sazerac revives dormant names like Glenmore and SVEDKA, combining heritage with pop marketing.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Disability Insurance
Life Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Flexible Time Away
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Parental Leave
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Tuition Reimbursement
Training Programs
Professional Development Budget
Company News
Sazerac strategy signals long-term bet on premium spirits consolidation. Published: Sep 29 2026, 1:19 PM EDT | By Adelyn Torralba Sazerac's recent move to acquire a major Kentucky distillery has underscored a broader trend of aggressive capital investment among top-tier spirits manufacturers in 2026. As the global distilled spirits market faces a period of tempered consumer demand, industry leaders are increasingly prioritizing the control of production infrastructure to insulate their supply chains against future volatility. Strategic asset accumulation in a cooling market. While industry-wide data suggests a slowdown in consumer spending compared to previous cycles, major players like Sazerac are focusing on long-term capacity. According to market analysis, securing domestic distilling assets is a hedge against potential supply constraints that could arise when market conditions eventually normalize. By increasing its manufacturing footprint now, the company is effectively lowering its long-term operational risk. Industry consolidation and future valuations. The acquisition is widely viewed by analysts as a tactical maneuver within a larger corporate strategy. As first reported by Inc., Sazerac's ongoing interest in significant industry players - including discussions surrounding potential multi-billion dollar acquisitions like Brown-Forman - points to a desire for rapid market expansion. This consolidation trend is indicative of a 'buy-to-grow' philosophy, where major enterprises utilize current market lulls to acquire established brands and production facilities at valuations that may prove advantageous in the coming years. The road ahead for spirits enterprises. Industry consensus suggests that the next phase of the spirits market will be defined by scale and brand portfolio strength. Investors and stakeholders should watch for further vertical integration moves among major spirits conglomerates. As Sazerac continues to build its Kentucky-based infrastructure, the focus will remain on whether these capital-intensive investments can successfully drive market share growth once consumer sentiment shifts back to premium spirits categories. The ability to maintain supply chain efficiency while managing high-interest rate environments will likely serve as the primary differentiator for success in the 2027 fiscal year and beyond. Editor's Pick
Kendall Jenner's 818 tequila is the fastest-growing tequila brand in the US, according to industry data ending 5 September 2026. The brand recently received a minority investment from Sazerac, maker of Fireball and Southern Comfort. An insider noted the achievement follows three years of double-digit growth whilst the category remained flat or declining. This comes despite a Gallup poll showing 54% of US adults now drink alcohol, tying a record low from last year. US alcohol consumption dropped 5% in 2025. Tequila and nonalcoholic drinks are among the few bright spots in the struggling spirits market. However, IWSR Bevtrac reported that Gen Z's drinking levels are broadly in line with other generations, contrary to public perception.
Sazerac to acquire German spirits producer Berentzen. By Maisie Gray September 23, 2026 Sazerac, the company behind Fireball, has finalized a deal to purchase Berentzen Group, a Germany-based spirits company, as part of its efforts to expand its European footprint. The acquisition price is set at 5.55 euros per share, equivalent to approximately $6.31, representing a 68% premium over Berentzen Group's average share price for the three months preceding September 16. The transaction, which is contingent upon shareholder approval, is anticipated to be completed by year's end, at which time Berentzen Group will be delisted from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. A legacy of german spirits. With a history spanning over 250 years, Berentzen Group is one of Germany's most established spirit producers, operating in more than 60 countries worldwide. The company is renowned for its brands, including Berentzen schnapps and Puschkin vodka, as well as its portfolio of nonalcoholic beverages and juices. This strategic acquisition is aligned with Sazerac's goal of increasing its influence in Europe, where established distribution networks can be difficult to handle. By leveraging Berentzen Group's existing operations, Sazerac aims to expand the distribution of its Buffalo Trace products with greater ease and speed. According to Oliver Schwegmann and Ralf Bruehoefner, members of Berentzen Group's Executive Board, "The business combination will present the Berentzen Group with an excellent opportunity to consistently pursue its growth strategy and tap into further potential for value creation at a pace and on a scale that is only possible with a strong strategic partner in a challenging European market." Expansion through acquisitions. Sazerac is pursuing an aggressive acquisition strategy to drive growth in a challenging market for alcohol producers. This is the company's second European deal in the past year, following its acquisition of U.K.-based canned cocktail brand Au Vodka last month. Sazerac has also acquired U.K.-based Last Drop Distillers and Hawk's Rock Distillery in Ireland over the past decade, in addition to purchasing a group of whiskey facilities in Kentucky.
Sazerac revives Glenmore Whiskey brand with two new releases. September 17, 2026 Sazerac Company announced the launch of Glenmore Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Glenmore Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, two brand-new releases crafted to bring back one of Kentucky's most historic whiskey names for a new generation of whiskey enthusiasts. Inspired by more than 100 years of Glenmore Distillery history, the new whiskeys celebrate the legacy of a Distillery that played an important role in the development of American whiskey. Tracing its roots to 1869, when founder Richard Monarch began distilling whiskey in Owensboro, Kentucky, the Glenmore Distillery Company would go on to become one of the state's most influential whiskey producers, earning a reputation for quality, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Throughout its history, Glenmore Distillery helped shape American whiskey through a portfolio of well-known whiskey brands, pioneering marketing strategies and its distinction as one of the few distilleries licensed to bottle medicinal whiskey during Prohibition. The Glenmore Distillery continued distilling whiskey for more than 120 years before production at the Distillery ended in 1992. Since then, Sazerac has transformed the historic site into one of the country's largest and most modern facilities to support production, barrel aging and bottling operations across a variety of spirits categories. With the introduction of Glenmore Bourbon Whiskey and Glenmore Rye Whiskey, Sazerac is bringing the historic Glenmore name into a new era. These expressions are inspired by the pioneering spirit of the original Glenmore Distillery and celebrate the innovation, craftsmanship and whiskey-making traditions that defined its legacy. "The Glenmore name has an incredible history, and we're honored to help write its next chapter," Lauren Selman, Global Growth and Innovation Director at Sazerac, said in a news release. "As the owners and operators of The Glenmore distillery, we have long desired to bring this brand back to life. There is an entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to innovate that define the Distillery's history, and we saw an opportunity to give those qualities new life. We're excited to whiskey fans to try this release and celebrate this new era with us!" While both are bottled at 100 proof, Glenmore Bourbon Whiskey and Glenmore Rye Whiskey offer distinctly different flavor profiles that showcase the character of their respective whiskey styles. "Glenmore Distillery's history is about much more than the whiskey that carried its name," Nick Laracuente, Bourbon Archaeologist & Lead Archivist at Sazerac, said. "The archives reveal generations of people, ideas and ingenuity that helped build the Distillery and its brands. We studied advertisements, labels, photographs and records to help us piece together the Distillery's story, and we're excited to preserve that history while giving the Glenmore name an opportunity to be discovered all over again." Glenmore Bourbon Whiskey is now available through Sazerac's United States distributor network and will begin shipping to retailers, bars and restaurants immediately. Glenmore Rye Whiskey will be available beginning September 2026. Both expressions carry a suggested retail price of $19.99 per 750ml bottle; taxes and availability vary by market. ABOUT GLENMORE WHISKEY Glenmore Whiskey is a new American whiskey brand inspired by the history and pioneering spirit of the historic Glenmore Distillery in Owensboro, Kentucky, which produced whiskey from 1869 to 1992. Featuring Glenmore Bourbon Whiskey and Glenmore Rye Whiskey, both bottled at 100 proof, the brand celebrates the craftsmanship, ingenuity and whiskey-making heritage that shaped the Glenmore name for generations. Today, Glenmore carries that historic Kentucky whiskey name forward into a new era crafted for a new generation of whiskey enthusiasts.To learn more, visit glenmorewhiskey.com.
US spirits producer Sazerac is in discussions to acquire German beverage group Berentzen through a voluntary takeover offer for all outstanding shares. Berentzen's shares jumped 22% following the announcement, reaching a 14-month high, though no formal bid price has been disclosed. Berentzen had a market capitalisation of approximately €35 million based on the previous session's close. The German company produces spirits brands including Berentzen Apfelkorn and Puschkin Vodka, alongside soft drinks such as Mio Mio. The takeover interest comes as Berentzen faces challenging trading conditions. First-half revenue fell to €71 million from €79.9 million year-on-year, whilst EBIT dropped to €0.6 million from €3.2 million. Management cut its full-year outlook in July, reducing expected revenue to €151 million to €156 million. Privately owned Sazerac, which owns brands including Southern Comfort and Fireball, has been expanding through acquisitions, recently purchasing British spirits producer Au Vodka.