Director, Bulk Sales & Contract Distillation

Pernod Ricard

1mo ago

Job
Full-time
Expert Level
Logistics
Business, Operations & Strategy
Louisville
Quick Apply

AI generated summary

You need 3+ years in distillation, strong communication and negotiation skills, flexibility, organizational abilities, bourbon knowledge, and leadership experience in the spirits industry.
You will manage contract distillation, optimize inventory, ensure quality delivery, build client relationships, oversee pricing, and execute sales strategies for bulk whiskey across North America.

Requirements

Prior operations experience in distillation (minimum 3 years), ideally 10 years in spirits industry
Extremely strong oral, written, virtual and in-person communication skills
Demonstrated negotiation skills
Flexibility / ability to travel, and ability to work nights and weekends and respond to customer needs on their schedule
Excellent organizational and planning skills
Attention to detail – precision is crucial in distillation & contract management
Strong teamwork and cross-functional communication skills
A passion for and knowledge of the bourbon industry
Leverage strong financial and analytical skills to make operational decisions based on sound financial analysis and long-term business strategies
Nurture strategic working relationships that promote operational effectiveness and world class customer service levels
Ability to lead team through change process and foster an environment that promotes innovative approaches, continuous improvement and personal development
Strong leadership skills to manage and coach reports handling barrel procurement and bulk sales support/customer service
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

Responsibilities

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 profit.
Responsible for the end-to-end quality of delivery (sampling, product, transportation, invoicing and relationship) of whiskey from the site to the customer.
Develops 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 sites.
Drives 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 experience.
Builds 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 agreements.
Contract distillation agreements.
Aging warehouse agreements.
Blending, sampling and other service agreements as required.
Capacity planning input to site planner(s).
Communication to customers and operations personnel.
Customer relationship management and communications.
Attendance and booth management at trade / industry events.
Timely follow-up on customer leads and questions.
Facility tours and customer handling.
Bulk shipping and barrel handling input based upon customer needs.
Procurement support & pricing for customer-related needs (such as finishing barrels) and services.
Develops 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.
Serve as a brand ambassador to Pernod Ricard’s distillation and warehousing sites, inspiring team members with shared purpose, industry knowledge, and accountability for the how and what of delivering performance.
Identify, build, and curate the Bulk Aged & Contract Distillation plan across the Canadian and US Whiskeys. This includes:
Development of the business targets based upon industry knowledge & competitor awareness
Business strategy development including identification of current and future risks and trends
Creation of action plans and processes to drive and improve KPIs
Understanding of and contribution to evolution of production strategy in response to market needs and Group strategy
Ability 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 LinkedIn. Use of trade-related applications and technology will also be needed.
Demonstrate 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 history.
Technical 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:
Milling.
Cooking.
Fermentation.
Distillation.
Barrel Filling.
Warehousing.
Draining, Finishing, and Blending.
Bulk shipping.
New and used barrel market.
Understand individual site processes and work with the operations teams to provide volumes for customer activities.
Leading cross-functional teams to make decisions as needed to meet contractual obligations and internal requirements and ultimately revenue / profit,
Creates 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 customers.
Creates the start to finish follow-through and ownership of the communication, sampling, allocation, documentation, sale, invoicing and removal from inventory of bulk aged liquid.
Strong legal awareness & familiarity with alcohol regulations and compliance
Develops and leads the administrative management including transfers, invoices, COA’s, production details, analytical and sensory information amongst other data related to the liquid and traceability.
Work with site teams to organize samples of bulk aged or new fill as requested by customers or potential customers and for retain samples.
Ensures excise and regulatory compliance and GMP documents are accurate and up to date.
Leads the financial management – monitor revenue, costs, profitability related to bulk sales & distillation contracts.
Overcommunicates activities, inventory and status to the customers and operations personnel.
Leads 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 practices.
Logistics – coordinates logistics for bulk spirit shipments, ensuring timely delivery to clients.
Sets pricing and negotiation – determine pricing structures, discounts and terms for bulk spirit sales with support analyst.
Market research – stays informed about market trends, customer preferences, and competitive offerings.
Sales strategy – develops and executes strategies to maximize bulk spirit sales, including identifying potential clients, negotiating contracts, and maintaining strong relationships.

FAQs

What is the salary range for the Director, Bulk Sales & Contract Distillation role?

The salary range for this role is $138,000.00 to $172,500.00, based in Louisville, KY.

What are the primary responsibilities of the Director, Bulk Sales & Contract Distillation?

The primary responsibilities include managing contract distillation and aged liquid sales, ensuring quality delivery from site to customer, developing strategic plans for bulk sales, building customer relationships, and overseeing compliance and financial management related to bulk sales and distillation contracts.

What prior experience is required for this position?

A minimum of 3 years in distillation operations is required, with ideally 10 years of experience in the spirits industry.

Is a degree required for this position?

Yes, a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field is required. Preferred candidates will have a degree along with 3-5 years of experience in bulk sales or in the bourbon industry.

What skills are essential for the Director, Bulk Sales & Contract Distillation role?

Essential skills include strong communication and negotiation abilities, organizational skills, attention to detail, teamwork, financial and analytical skills, leadership capabilities, and a passion for the bourbon industry.

Will I need to travel for this position?

Yes, flexibility and the ability to travel are required, including the potential for working nights and weekends as needed to meet customer demands.

What sort of customer relationship management will be involved in this role?

The role involves building and maintaining relationships with key customers, handling inquiries and follow-ups, and managing customer communications related to contract distillation and bulk sales.

Are there opportunities for career development in this role?

Yes, the position emphasizes continuous improvement, personal development, and fostering an environment that encourages innovative approaches.

What is the work culture at Pernod Ricard?

Pernod Ricard promotes a culture of conviviality, teamwork, and inclusivity, celebrating individuality and fostering human connections.

How does Pernod Ricard support employees’ work-life balance?

Pernod Ricard offers a flexible work policy that includes hybrid or remote work options, allowing employees to work hours that best fit their schedules.

Pernod Ricard

Retail & Consumer Goods

Industry

10,001+

Employees

1975

Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

Pernod Ricard is a convivial, responsible and successful global wine and spirits group and the #1 premium spirits organisation in the world. The Group represents 240 premium brands available in more than 160 countries. We are 18,500 exceptionally talented people worldwide with our own salesforce in 73 countries. Our portfolio is one of the most comprehensive in the market with every major category of wine and spirits, providing Pernod Ricard with a unique competitive advantage. To keep growing our business, transforming our industry and making a positive impact on the world, we believe in the power of human connection. Creating ‘convivialité’ is our business and our raison d’être. As ‘créateurs de convivialité’, our purpose is to turn every social interaction into a genuine, friendly and responsible experience of sharing. We believe there can be no convivialité with excess and strive to be sustainable and responsible at every step, from grain to glass.