Bulk Sales Director

Where Conviviality is at work.

Pernod Ricard is a global premium international champagnes and spirits company. We’re the team behind leading brands such as ABSOLUT® Vodka, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, The Glenlivet®, Beefeater and Malfy Gins, and a leading portfolio of American whiskey brands including Jefferson’s, Rabbit Hole, TX, Smooth Ambler and Skrewball™ whiskey.

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.

Guided by our 4 core values: (1) grounded in the real; (2) fiercely authentic; (3) passion for challenge; and (4) connected beyond borders; 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 $143,300.00 to $179,100.00. The range may vary if the role 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:
 

The Bulk Sales Director 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. A key aspect of the role is building a network of customers and fostering strong cross-functional relationships within the Pernod network to align site capabilities with commercial strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Business Development

• Develop and execute a clear, measurable plan for bulk whiskey sales and contract distillation aligned with organizational vision and market needs.
• Drive business strategy, including identifying risks, trends, and competitor insights.
• Set pricing structures, negotiate terms, and create action plans to achieve KPIs and profitability targets.

Customer & Market Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, industry contacts, and internal stakeholders.
• Expand customer network through trade shows, cold calls, social media, and mutual contacts.
• Conduct market research to stay informed on trends, customer preferences, and competitive offerings.

Contract & Sales Management

• Lead end-to-end management of contracts for bulk aged liquid and new-fill distillation, including negotiation, execution, and compliance.
• Oversee communication, sampling, allocation, documentation, invoicing, and inventory removal for bulk whiskey sales.
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance, including excise, GMP, and alcohol regulations.

Operational & Quality Oversight

• Ensure quality of delivery across sampling, product, transportation, invoicing, and customer relationships.
• Coordinate logistics for bulk spirit shipments to ensure timely delivery.
• Work with site teams to organize samples and maintain traceability and documentation.

Financial & Administrative Management

• Monitor revenue, costs, and profitability for bulk sales and distillation contracts.
• Manage administrative processes, including transfers, COAs, production details, and analytical data.

Leadership & Safety

• Lead cross-functional teams to meet contractual obligations and internal requirements.
• Promote safety awareness and compliance to ensure health and welfare of employees and contractors.

In conjunction with Operations, Legal, 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 event
• 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

Required Skills & Abilities:

• 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

Education:

• Required:  Undergraduate degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering or related field

Experience:

• Required: 10 years' experience in bulk sales and/or spirts industry

Travel:

• 10% travel
• Maybe required to travel as necessary for trade shows, industry conferences and customer meetings

Financial Responsibility:

• Greatly influences goals but does not have final authority.  Manages and deploys resources to meet the goals.

Job Posting End Date:

Target Hire Date:

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 a hybrid option with flexibility to work remotely 2 days a week. 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 them 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.

This recruitment process uses artificial intelligence (AI) tools to match applicant skills with role requirements and qualifications.

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 us at [email protected].