Production Manager / Bottling Manager

Expectation Overview:
NexTerra Wine Company is a premier wine producer built on the belief that great wine begins in the vineyard. Headquartered just outside of Chicago, the 125,000-square-foot facility houses an onsite winery, state of the art bottling system and distribution center. Partnering with distinguished growers across the globe, NexTerra sources the highest quality grapes and nurtures each wine to its individual needs—a philosophy that has resulted in over 600 national and international wine awards. With deep industry knowledge, boundless creativity, and advanced winemaking techniques, NexTerra has grown to one of the largest U.S. producers outside of California projecting over 1.2 million cases produced in 2025, and a growing keg program of over 170,000 gallons worth of kegs.
NexTerra Wine Company is looking for a full-time Bottling Manager to join our production team! This exciting and fast-paced role gives the candidate the opportunity to shine in both their technical expertise through the ownership of multiple production lines and through their leadership of others. In a self-directed team environment, this position will have direct supervisory responsibilities for three (3) bottling line crews. Two (2) glass bottle production line crews and one (1) kegging production line crew. It is the expectation that through evaluation of current policies & procedures and analysis of current and past performance, the candidate will identify and develop a scope for improvement with a continuous emphasis on safety, quality, and efficiency.
With a focus on people, the incumbent will foster a high performing culture through development of capabilities, performance management, and succession planning.
The Bottling Manager is responsible for ensuring the daily output goals are met at each production center and ensures that all quality metrics are adhered to for all production. Ideal candidate will possess the technical knowledge and or ability to run high-speed bottling lines, including, but not limited to, filling, corking, screw capping, capsuling, labeling, and line automation systems. This position also will work closely with the facility mechanics to identify and strategize the effectiveness of preventative maintenance plans. This position is located at our winery in Woodridge, IL (1-55 & 1-355 intersection). This role is a 5-day x 8-hour work week starting at 630 am. There will be times when the 8-hour shift will be extended based on situations that may arise.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manages and ensures full execution of daily output based on planned production
•  Ensures expected KPIs are being met daily and provides rationale for missed execution
•  Provide direct leadership to the production supervisor, bottling operators, kegging technicians, and about 20 production assistants
• Help to drive the progress of the learning, development, training plans, and strategies for the bottling staff
• Develop and maintain a good working knowledge of standard operating procedures
• Utilize a continuous improvement mindset to support the evolution of standard operating procedures
• Provide appropriate personal support including but not limited to, human resources, coaching, performance management, and corrective measures
• Responsible for conducting yearly reviews of team members
• Trains bottling staff in SOPs
• Works with QC manager on production related action items for materials, processes, and finished goods.
• Follows safe operating procedures, support safety programs and policies to safeguard personal safety, team member’s safety, company property, and environmental controls.
• Drive problem solving, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement goals within bottling operations.
• Manages employee timecard reconciliations on a bi-weekly basis
• Manages scheduling, including approving time off requests
• Monitor and ensure compliance with all OSHA and company safety regulations and policies
• Support and participate in the facility HAACP team
• Manage consumable purchases for bottling operations.
• Work cooperatively with other managers to identify winery-wide issues and recommend corrective actions.

Requirements:

• At least 5 years’ experience in working with high-speed automated production equipment in a leadership capacity
• Experience managing and having direct reports
• Bilingualism (English/Spanish) is a plus
• Ability to troubleshoot complex electrical, pneumatic, and mechanical issues using limited resources
• Ability to program label new label recipes on either PE or Makro labelers
• Experience with production start-up and shut down procedures.
• Experience performing set up and changeovers with the help of the operator and mechanic for the bottling equipment.
• Experience with high-speed bottling / filling equipment that handles liquids is a plus
• Experience with beverage alcohol / wine is a plus
• Must be able to perform all job functions in strict adherence to company health and safety protocols, quality control standards, and standard operating procedures.
• Must have strong attention to detail
• Must have a strong work ethic

Competencies:

• Knowledge and understanding of high-speed bottling equipment
• Understanding of all sanitation protocols on production equipment within the requirements of NexTerra procedural and sanitation guidelines.
• Knowledgeable and driven for organizing, planning, execution, and follow-up.
• Ability to program label new label recipes on either PE or Makro labelers
• Thorough understanding of filling mechanics related to low-vacuum and counter-pressure filling theories
• Be able to identify critical maintenance points on all bottling equipment
• Ability to troubleshoot complex electrical, pneumatic, and mechanical issues using limited resources

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Manage the bottling operations staff

Physical Job Functions:

• Must be able to lift at least up to 75 lbs routinely
• Must be able to stand for at least 10 hours

NexTerra is an Equal Opportunity Employer