Procurement Category Manager - Bulk Spirits & Ingredients North America

Sazerac Company Overview

Build your career at Sazerac! With almost 400 years of rich history, Sazerac Company has thrived as an independent, American family-owned company with operations in the United States and around the world. Since the 2000s, Sazerac has averaged double digit growth every year! Sazerac Company produces and markets the most award-winning bourbons and whiskeys in the world, including Buffalo Trace, Pappy Van Winkle, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, Traveller, and Sazerac Rye. Additionally, Sazerac owns many popular brands across a range of spirits, including Fireball, Svedka, Wheatley, BuzzBallz, Southern Comfort, Seagram’s V.O., Myers’s, Goldschläger, Parrot Bay, 99 Brand, and Platinum Vodka.

 

We’re proud of our award-winning culture and distilleries. Our Louisville office has been named one of the “Best Places to Work in Kentucky” four times, and our Buffalo Trace Distillery has earned the title of “world’s most award-winning distillery” through the dedication of our craftsmen for well over 200 years. Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional, Sazerac provides extraordinary opportunities for growth with competitive salaries and benefits in an exciting, entrepreneurial industry.

Company/Location Overview

As the North American Bulk Spirits & Ingredients Procurement Category Manager, you will play a crucial role in the Procurement function, responsible for managing the sourcing, contracting, and supplier management activities specific to our North American Spirits, Sweeteners, Flavors and Grains categories. Your expertise and strategic approach will contribute to the success of our organization by ensuring the availability of high-quality products, optimizing costs, and maintaining strong supplier relationships. This role will have +$200M in Spend Under Management and two Direct Reports.

Key Responsibilities:

Category Strategy: Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies, aligned with the organization's goals and objectives. This includes conducting market analysis, identifying trends, and assessing supplier capabilities to drive innovation and competitive advantage.

Supplier Management: Evaluate and select suppliers based on criteria such as quality, reliability, cost, and sustainability. Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, negotiating contracts and terms to secure favorable pricing, volume discounts, and service level agreements.

Sourcing and Contracting: Lead the sourcing process for our Grain Neutral Spirits, Sweeteners, Flavors and Grains portfolios. Duties would include RFx preparation, bid evaluation, and supplier selection. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the products meet quality standards, comply with regulatory requirements, and achieve cost savings.

Risk Management: Identify and mitigate potential risks associated with the categories. Monitor market trends, pricing fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory changes to develop contingency plans and ensure business continuity.

Performance Monitoring: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track supplier performance, quality metrics, and cost savings achieved. Generate regular reports and provide insights to stakeholders, driving continuous improvement and identifying areas for optimization.

Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including Marketing, Operations, Planning and Finance teams, to understand their requirements and align procurement strategies accordingly. Act as a trusted advisor, providing insights and recommendations to support their business objectives.

 

As the North American Bulk Spirits & Ingredient Procurement Category Manager, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on our organization's procurement practices and contribute to our overall success. Your expertise and strategic thinking will play a vital role in ensuring the availability of high-quality spirits products while driving cost efficiencies and maintaining strong supplier partnerships.

 

 

 

 

Qualifications/Requirements

 

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is required. Advanced degree or professional certifications (e.g., CSCP, CPSM) is a plus.
• Proven experience (5-10 years) in procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing, preferably within the spirits, beverage or CPG industry.
• Strong knowledge of market trends, production processes, and supplier landscape.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills with a track record of achieving cost savings and driving supplier performance.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to conduct market research, analyze data, and make data-driven decisions.