Location: Lebanon, KY, US

Careers that unlock the magic of human connection  

  

Pernod Ricard is a global premium spirits and wine company. We’re the team behind leading brands such as ABSOLUT® Vodka, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, Beefeater® Gin, and Avión™ Tequila, as well as many more superior wines and exquisite champagnes!  

  

Working at Pernod Ricard is all about igniting conviviality in all that we do. Derived from the French word, convivialité…it means human connection, authenticity, friendly, and jovial. Conviviality is energy and spirit with a splash of je ne sais quoi and is a core philosophy around how we live and work at Pernod Ricard. Here, we are team players, dream makers, trailblazers, movers and (cocktail) shakers. We have a passion for living life to the fullest, making new friends every day, and realizing our potential as people and as a business!

The salary range for this role, based in Kentucky is $146,900.00 to $183,600.00. The range will vary if outside of this location.  Base salaries are determined during our interview process, by assessing a candidate’s experience, skills against internal peers and against the scope and responsibilities of the position.

Position Summary

- Scope of Role:

Based upon the long-term commercial sequence of our different brands and the run rates of our different distilleries, manage our contract distillation & aged liquid sales & acquisitions to optimize our inventory, cash and profitResponsible for the end-to-end quality of delivery (sampling, product, transportation, invoicing and relationship) of whiskey from the site to the customerDevelops a clear, measurable and specific plan against the organization’s vision and needs in bulk sales and contract distillation across the North American (Canada and US) Whiskey sitesDrives the development, maintenance, and communication of the business of contract distillation & bulk aged whiskey, in addition to barrel procurement.Builds and develops a network of customers and key contacts through industry knowledge and experienceBuilds strong relationships within the Pernod network with all the site leads, legal, head of American Whiskey operations, finance, and external partners to lead cross-functional communication and requirements in conjunction with site capabilities & commercial plans

In conjunction with the VP of American Whiskey Operations, legal, operations personnel and associated financial counterparts, this role will formalize and implement the process needed including:

Bulk sale agreementsContract distillation agreementsAging warehouse agreementsBlending, sampling and other service agreements as requiredCapacity planning input to site planner(s) Communication to customers and operations personnelCustomer relationship management and communications Attendance and booth management at trade / industry eventTimely follow-up on customer leads and questionsFacility tours and customer handlingBulk shipping and barrel handling input based upon customer needs Procurement support & pricing for customer-related needs (such as finishing barrels) and services

Our candidate will be developing the bulk aged & contract distillation business for North American Whiskeys in the midst of challenging environments by demonstrating high personal commitment, professionalism, and commitment to integrity, serving as a role model to those in within and external to Pernod, additionally serving as a brand ambassador to Pernod Ricard’s distillation and warehousing sites. You'll strive to inspire team members with shared purpose, industry knowledge, and accountability for the how and what of delivering performance.

Key Responsibilities​

Identify, build, and curate the Bulk Aged & Contract Distillation plan across the Canadian and US WhiskeyDevelopment of the business targets based upon industry knowledge & competitor awarenessBusiness strategy development including identification of current and future risks and trendsCreation of action plans and processes to drive and improve KPIsUnderstanding of and contribution to evolution of production strategy in response to market needs and Group strategyAbility to leverage individual reputation and Pernod’s to build relationships with customers.  This will require a combination of efforts including “cold calls,” trade show events, using mutual contacts and work-related social media such as websites or LinkedInUse of trade-related applications and technology will also be neededDemonstrate leadership as a professional, customer service-oriented team member with the goal of becoming the supplier of choice for bulk aged liquid and new fill contract distillation & services 

- Extensive knowledge of and passion for the North American whiskey industry is a must including:

Detailed knowledge of key industry players and historyTechnical knowledge of the distillation, blending and aging process

- Prior / existing operations background in managing and understanding of all aspects of distillery and warehousing operations including:

MillingCookingFermentationDistillationBarrel FillingWarehousingDraining, Finishing, and BlendingBulk shipping New and used barrel market 

- A candidate in this role must also: :

Understand individual site processes and work with the operations teams to provide volumes for customer activitiesLead cross-functional teams to make decisions as needed to meet contractual obligations and internal requirements and ultimately revenue / profitCreate the start to finish follow-through and ownership on the development, negotiation, and execution of contracts with customers including notification of upcoming contract distillation, sampling/analytical as required, and the shipment of products to customersCreate the start to finish follow-through and ownership of the communication, sampling, allocation, documentation, sale, invoicing and removal from inventory of bulk aged liquidPossess strong legal awareness & familiarity with alcohol regulations and complianceDevelop and leads the administrative management including transfers, invoices, COA’s, production details, analytical and sensory information amongst other data related to the liquid and traceabilityWork with site teams to organize samples of bulk aged or new fill as requested by customers or potential customers and for retain samplesEnsure the exise and regulatory compliance and GMP documents are accurate and up to dateLead the financial management – monitor revenue, costs, profitability related to bulk sales & distillation contractsOvercommunicate activities, inventory and status to the customers and operations personnelLead by demonstrating and requiring safety awareness and safe work practices to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees, contractors and visitors; by identifying and reducing safety risks, maintaining a clean work environment, and practicing good health, hygiene, and safety practicesLogistics – coordinate logistics for bulk spirit shipments, ensuring timely delivery to clientsSet pricing and negotiation – determine pricing structures, discounts and terms for bulk spirit sales with support analystMarket research – stay informed about market trends, customer preferences, and competitive offeringsSales strategy – develop and execute strategies to maximize bulk spirit sales, including identifying potential clients, negotiating contracts, and maintaining strong relationships

Required Skills & Abilities

Prior operations experience in distillation (minimum 3 years), ideally 10 years in spirits industryExtremely strong oral, written, virtual and in-person communication skills Demonstrated negotiation skillsFlexibility / ability to travel, and ability to work nights and weekends and respond to customer needs on their scheduleExcellent organizational and planning skillsAttention to detail – precision is crucial in distillation & contract managementStrong teamwork and cross-functional communication skillsA passion for and knowledge of the bourbon industryLeverage strong financial and analytical skills to make operational decisions based on sound financial analysis and long-term business strategiesNurture strategic working relationships that promote operational effectiveness and world class customer service levelsAbility to lead team through change process and foster an environment that promotes innovative approaches, continuous improvement and personal developmentStrong leadership skills to manage and coach reports handling barrel procurement and bulk sales support/customer service

Education

- Required:

Bachelor’s degree, Business / Supply Chain, Engineering    

- Preferred:

Degree in addition to minimum 3-5 years’ experience with bulk sales and/or in the bourbon industry and 10 years in spirits industry 

When you join Pernod Ricard, you’ll experience a workplace that is rich in heritage, driven by our iconic brands and a long-standing commitment to sustainability, safety, and giving back to the people and communities where we work. We know that happiness at work starts with that feeling of belonging you get from an inclusive culture where being uniquely you is celebrated. Our values are lived, they drive our behaviors, and it’s what brings our culture to life.   

 

Our work philosophy celebrates the magic of human connection with the flexibility needed to provide one's most meaningful contribution. We offer a flexible work policy, with most of our positions offering a hybrid or remote option. As a global employer, we understand that not everyone’s working hours are the same, and we empower our employees to work the hours that make the most sense for their and their team’s schedules.   

   

We offer employees great benefits and perks to toast to a life filled with support.  Check out PRUSABenefits.com for details.  

  

Pernod Ricard USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It employs qualified individuals based solely on ability, training, and experience, and does not and will not, discriminate for or against any employee or applicant for employment or promotion based upon actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service or any other classification protected by law. Offers will be subject to United States local terms. 

 

Pernod Ricard USA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Pernod Ricard USA will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process.  To request reasonable accommodation during the application process, contact your talent acquisition manager. 

Job Posting End Date:

Target Hire Date:

2024-09-30

Target End Date: