Procurement - Supplier Engagement Specialist - Direct Materials

Sazerac Company • Louisville, KY

32d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Supplier Engagement Specialist partners closely with Procurement Category Managers to execute category strategies and manage supplier relationships for direct materials. This role focuses on supplier engagement, cost optimization, and cross-functional coordination to support New Business Development (NBD) initiatives and deliver a competitive advantage for Sazerac.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum 1+ years of relevant experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Detail-oriented with strong planning and organizational skills
• Self-motivated, innovative, and solutions-focused mindset
• Ability to quickly learn new systems and processes

Nice To Haves

• 2+ years of implementation or project management experience
• 2+ years of procurement or purchasing experience within food, beverage, or packaged goods manufacturing

Responsibilities

• Support Procurement Category Managers with supplier selection, onboarding, performance management, and supplier development.
• Negotiate business terms with suppliers to drive total cost optimization and value creation.
• Serve as the primary supplier contact for NBD projects, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and launch readiness.
• Coordinate with Brand Managers, Marketing, Plant teams, Project Managers, and suppliers to ensure efficient and timely project execution.
• Leverage procurement systems (PPT, NBD GUI) to track milestones, communicate status updates, and escalate risks as needed.
• Ensure accurate development and maintenance of Bills of Materials in collaboration with Plant and Accounting teams to support data integrity.
• Prioritize workload based on urgency and business impact to maximize efficiency and output.
• Support achievement of department NBD goals, including on-time and error-free execution.
• Utilize procurement-focused KPIs to establish role-specific performance goals and measure effectiveness.
• Maintain high internal and external customer service standards, actively soliciting feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Participate in career development planning, including PDS goal setting and ongoing skill development documentation.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay
• Comprehensive Benefits from Day One including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Family Coverage: Options to cover family members, including domestic partners.
• 401(k) Plan: Immediate access to a matching 401(k) plan.
• Flexible Time Away: Enjoy paid time off (PTO), holidays, and parental leave.
• Mental Health and Wellness: Access to mental health care and wellness incentive programs.
• Educational Support: Benefit from tuition reimbursement and our scholarship program for dependents of Sazerac team members.
• Fun Extras: Enjoy branded apparel, fun events, and a team member bottle purchase program.
• Training and Development: Opportunities for professional growth and development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees