Eligie Allen Ward
Diageo – Bulleit Bourbon Distillery
Shelbyville,KY
35
years of professional experience
Results-oriented manufacturing leader with 34 years in automotive and distilled spirits sectors. Expertise in plant startups, production operations, quality assurance, and continuous improvement. Skilled in SAP, process troubleshooting, and safety compliance, with a track record of leading high-performing teams. Currently serving as D-Crew Shift Lead at Bulleit Bourbon Distillery, overseeing operations and ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards.
Work History
Shift Lead
1 Year 1 Month- Lead daily production operations across mash cooking, fermentation, distillation, granary, and load-out.
- Supervised and coached team of 5 employees, fostering a safe, efficient, quality-focused work environment.
- Conduct shift meetings, assign daily responsibilities, and coordinate production activities.
- Enhanced production efficiency through proactive troubleshooting and effective communication.
- Monitored equipment performance and resolved operational issues, minimizing downtime.
- Recorded production and inventory data accurately in SAP software.
- Ensure compliance with company safety, quality, and environmental standards.
Distillery Operator
7 Years 3 Months- Operated production equipment to ensure optimal distillation outcomes.
- Executed vessel cleaning, sanitation, and inspections to uphold safety and quality standards.
- Monitored production systems and responded to process issues.
- Maintained accurate production documentation to support compliance and traceability in SAP.
Lab Technician
2 Years 7 Months- Established quality laboratory, enhancing testing capabilities and compliance.
- Conducted laboratory tests to ensure quality standards were met. and quality verification.
- Conducted quality inspections and implemented process improvements to support production efficiency.
- Launched Simpsonville manufacturing facility, ensuring operational readiness.
Lab Technician
23 Years 11 Months- Advanced through multiple manufacturing positions including Production Associate, Team Leader, Material Handler, Quality Technician, Lab Technician, and Material Data Analyst.
- Performed laboratory testing, quality inspections, and material data analysis.
- Facilitated product launches by coordinating testing and quality assurance processes.
- Assisted in startup of Shelbyville manufacturing facility, ensuring operational readiness.
- Utilized SAP to support production and material management.
- Played a key role in achieving multiple J.D. Power quality awards for manufacturing facility.
Education
Diploma
Skills
Manufacturing Operations
Distillation & Fermentation
Mash Cooking
Granary & Load-Out Operations
Manufacturing Process Control
Quality Assurance
Process Troubleshooting
Lean Manufacturing
Continuous Improvement
5S
Root Cause Analysis
SAP
Production Reporting
Inventory management
Safety & Regulatory Compliance
Team Leadership
Cross-functional teams
Employee training
Team motivation
Microsoft Office
Timeline
Shift Lead
Diageo – Bulleit Bourbon Distillery
06.2025 - CurrentRead More
Distillery Operator
Diageo – Bulleit Bourbon Distillery
03.2018 - 06.2025Read More
Lab Technician
Faurecia
08.2015 - 03.2018Read More
Lab Technician
Johnson Controls
08.1991 - 07.2015Read More
Jeffersonville High School
Diploma
Read More
HONORS & AWARDS
Shelbyville Site Hero Award – Diageo (August 2024), Selected as the recipient of the Shelbyville Site Hero Award in recognition of outstanding leadership, operational excellence, teamwork, and commitment to safety., Honored at Diageo's annual awards ceremony in Chicago and presented with a commemorative plaque.