Early Career Development Associate

This position is based out of our Bardstown, KY bottling location.

What the Role Is

The Early Career Development (ECD) program is designed to prepare you for both technical and leadership roles within Heaven Hill Brands. Through people leadership, project management, and technical skill development, you will gain a thorough understanding of our industry, culture, and processes while directly contributing to Heaven Hill’s growth and success.

This fast-paced rotational program consists of 24 months of learning and development, designed to prepare early talent for future roles within the Operations organization at Heaven Hill Brands. Participants will rotate across multiple production sites and functions, gaining hands-on experience while receiving targeted training, mentorship, and professional development. Upon successful completion of the program, you may be eligible for a full-time role in operations leadership, engineering, supply chain, or other functions based on business needs and personal interests.

• 24-month program with rotations involving various departments
• Opportunities for networking with Heaven Hill senior leadership
• Feedback and regular meetings with Rotational Mentor and Rotational Manager throughout the program
• Build capability through exposure and ownership of broad operational systems.
• Frontline exposure to production to leverage problem-solving while driving improvements and eliminating losses
• Grow your coaching, team building and people development skills by leading Operators, Technicians, and Mechanics

How You Will Spend Your Time?

• Manage programs to gain experience in capital project ownership and/or new system startups
• Take ownership of improvement initiatives to understand end-to-end operations
• Strengthen critical skills in planning, communication, and execution while delivering measurable impact
• Gain experience in leading teams, resolving challenges, and fostering collaboration
• Develop the confidence and skills needed to lead people effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Promote and prioritize a safety culture to ensure employees watch out for their safety and the safety of their teammates
• Shadow front-line supervisors to provide informed supervision of engineering, distilling, processing, bottling, maintenance, and/or supply chain departments (according to assigned rotation) through front-line engagement and technical support
• Spend time on the production floor with front-line team members to develop an understanding of the day-to-day operations
• Utilize key performance indicators (KPI’s) to measure improvements and to monitor success
• Report out with key learnings, success differentiators (skill development), and any recommendations for continuous improvement
• Develop presentation skills through presentations with department and leadership teams.
• Present at routine intervals to local plant leadership to improve communication and executive presence skills.
• Ensure employees are treated fairly and hold themselves accountable for demonstrating Heaven Hill’s Spirited Commitment values.

Who You Are…

Required Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• Distilled Spirits Certificate or Lean/Continuous Improvement certification preferred
• Ability to work in a cross-functional, self-directed work team with keen focus on improving every day and working together to win
• Critical thinking skills. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
• Flexibility to learn and maintain cutting-edge technology
• Ability to internalize and execute new operational techniques and processes
• Analytical skills, particularly with data collection and analysis, to present solutions
• Highly proficient in written and verbal communication skills
• Public speaking experience and excellent presentation abilities
• Technical writing experience developing standard operating procedures and other written correspondence
• Proficiency with computers and Microsoft systems such as Outlook, Excel, etc.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing duties of the job, the employee is required to:

• Stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle, or feel objects, and use of computer; reach with hands and arms.
• Use tools and other machinery required to perform basic maintenance tasks.
• Lift and/or move up to 20 pounds

• Paid Vacation
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Health, Dental & Vision eligibility from day one
• FSA/HSA
• 401K match
• EAP
• Maternity/Paternity Leave