Manufacturing Technician / Team Leader in Savannah, Georgia at Florida Rum Company LLC

Position Summary:

ZIAMI Distillery is launching a new production facility in Savannah, Georgia with two canning lines, a bottling line, and a mini bottling line. We are looking for a highly mechanically inclined manufacturing professional who can learn the equipment fast, become the on-site subject matter expert, and keep the equipment running. You will be the technical authority on the production line and the "go-to" person to resolve equipment issues and minimize downtime.

Key Responsibilities:

• Safety & Compliance
  • Operate in line with food safety, GMP, sanitation/washdown, LOTO, and PPE requirements.
  • Support quality and regulatory compliance relevant to beverage canning and alcohol production.
• Quality
  • Ensure equipment performs in line with product specifications across every run.
  • Adhere to required maintenance schedules.
• Team Leadership
  • Train and advise line crew on proper operation and maintenance of equipment.
  • Assist with building SOPs and run sheets that make the line repeatable.
  • Set and enforce the standard for safety, quality, and accountability on the floor.
• Production
  • Keep equipment running and assist line crew as needed.
  • Drive down downtime, scrap, and material loss through root-cause problem solving and continuous improvement.
  • Anticipate problems before they occur, and assist with repairs when needed.
• Maintenance & Reliability
  • Troubleshoot and repair mechanical, pneumatic, and basic controls issues to keep the line running.
  • Build and run a preventive maintenance program, including PM systems and lube routes; manage spare parts, change parts, and consumables.

Required Qualifications

• Direct, hands-on experience with assembly lines and manufacturing machinery.
• Demonstrated mechanical troubleshooting and repair ability on production equipment.
• Able to work on-site in Savannah, GA, with flexibility during the startup phase.
• Able to stand for extended periods, lift up to 50 lbs, and work in a manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a food & beverage manufacturing environment; cGMP/HACCP familiarity.
• Experience commissioning or starting up a new canning line or production equipment.
• Comfort with Allen-Bradley PLC/HMI, VFD-driven lines, and CIP/sanitation systems.
• Familiarity with preventive maintenance, including developing preventive maintenance systems and lube routes.
• Forklift certification or willingness to certify.

Why This Role

This is a ground-floor opportunity at a brand-new facility. You will have real autonomy, direct influence on how the canning and bottling operation is built and run, and the runway to grow your responsibilities as ZIAMI scales in Savannah.