Category Specialist

Pernod Ricard•Louisville, KY

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This role is responsible for managing assigned packaging categories with a focus on supply continuity, cost optimization, supplier relationship management, and long-term category planning across Pernod Ricard North America manufacturing facilities and co-packers. The position will serve as a strategic business partner to Operations, Quality, Innovation, Finance, and Supply Chain teams to proactively manage procurement activities, mitigate supply risks, support innovation initiatives, and deliver value through strategic sourcing and financial discipline. This role is expected to balance operational execution with increasingly strategic responsibilities as part of Pernod Ricard’s long-term procurement transformation agenda.

Requirements

Minimum of 3 years experience in strategic sourcing/procurement of a CPG company in a packaging environment.
Strong Influencing, Partnering, and Communication Skills at multiple levels and disciplines
Excellent Problem Solving, Analytical, and Details Skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite software with focus on advanced excel
Willingness to Travel approximately 15% (Canada & US)

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree
Purchasing/Supply Management certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Own assigned packaging categories and act as the primary procurement lead for category strategy development
Build annual category sourcing plans aligned with business objectives
Conduct market intelligence, supplier benchmarking, and cost analysis to proactively identify opportunities and risks
Develop supplier diversification strategies to reduce sole-source exposure
Lead sourcing events, negotiations, and contract execution for assigned categories
Proactively monitor supplier capacity, inventory levels, and operational risks across manufacturing plants and co-packers
Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies to ensure uninterrupted supply
Identify and escalate supply risks before they impact operations
Partner with operations and supply planning teams on demand forecasting and inventory optimization
Support annual budgeting processes for assigned categories
Monitor purchase price variance against budget assumptions
Identify cost mitigation strategies related to inflation, commodity volatility, freight, and supplier changes
Drive working capital initiatives including payment term optimization, MOQ improvements, and inventory reduction opportunities
Manage strategic supplier relationships focused on long-term performance
Conduct supplier performance reviews
Lead supplier development initiatives around quality, service, innovation, and cost competitiveness
Collaborate with suppliers on continuous improvement opportunities
Partner with Innovation, Packaging Development, and Operations teams to support commercialization timelines
Manage supplier quoting timelines
Ensure procurement readiness for product launches
Identify supply risks that may impact launch execution
Maintain procurement dashboards and reporting tools
Track contract coverage
Support savings pipeline tracking
Improve data visibility for leadership decision-making
Identify automation opportunities within procurement workflows
Partner proactively with: Operations, Quality, Finance, Innovation, Supply Planning, Global Procurement