Category Manager at Heaven Hill Brands

Bardstown, Kentucky, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

31 Dec, 25

Salary

0.0

Posted On

02 Oct, 25

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Category Management, Sourcing Strategies, Supplier Relationship Management, Cost Management, Risk Management, Sustainability, Negotiation Skills, Market Analysis, Collaboration, Project Management, Procurement Analytics, Contract Management, Cost Optimization, Supplier Performance, Innovation, Cross-Functional Collaboration

Industry

Beverage Manufacturing

Description

This position can be based out of our Louisville or Bardstown offices. What the Role Is The Sourcing Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies across key direct and indirect spend categories, including packaging, raw materials and co-manufacturing services. This role serves as a critical interface between suppliers, operations, quality, R&D, and commercial teams to deliver cost savings, secure supply continuity and support innovation. The Category Manager is both strategic and hands-on, requiring analytical rigor, cross-functional collaboration, and supplier relationship management expertise to ensure alignment with the organization’s operational and brand priorities. How You Will Spend Your Time? Category Strategy Development * Lead the development and execution of long-term sourcing strategies for assigned categories (e.g., glass, closures, labels, ingredients, contract packaging). * Conduct detailed category analyses, including market trends, risk assessment, supplier capabilities, cost structures, and internal demand profiles. * Build and maintain comprehensive category profiles, including spend data, supplier performance, contractual status, and sustainability commitments. * Define sourcing roadmaps aligned with business goals such as cost optimization, innovation, ESG targets, and risk mitigation. Sourcing Execution & Cost Management * Lead RFx processes (RFI, RFQ, RFP) and cost negotiations to achieve target savings and value objectives. * Evaluate total cost of ownership (TCO), including freight, tariffs, minimum order quantities, and inventory holding costs. * Collaborate with Finance, Legal, and Operations to execute contracts, pricing agreements, and service-level terms. * Lead the centralization of procurement activities across multiple production facilities, driving consistency in sourcing practices, leveraging scale for cost efficiencies, and establishing standardized supplier management processes * Track realized cost savings and value creation against annual sourcing targets. Supplier Relationship & Performance Management * Serve as the primary relationship manager for key suppliers within the assigned category portfolio. * Lead quarterly business reviews (QBRs) to track KPIs, service levels, innovation performance, and continuous improvement. * Implement supplier scorecards and corrective action plans to drive accountability and alignment with strategic objectives. * Partner with suppliers on cost-saving initiatives, lead time reduction, and quality enhancement opportunities. Risk Management & Sustainability * Identify and proactively mitigate sourcing risks such as single-sourcing, regulatory changes, raw material volatility, and capacity constraints. * Lead supplier risk assessments and business continuity planning for critical supply categories. * Support the organization’s sustainability goals through supplier engagement, recyclable/renewable material strategies, and traceability programs. Technology, Reporting & Process Improvement * Leverage procurement and analytics platforms to enable data-driven decision-making (e.g., spend analysis, contract management, supplier portals). * Maintain accurate and updated sourcing records, contracts, and supplier documentation. * Contribute to the development and refinement of sourcing processes, tools, and best practices across the function. Innovation & Cross-Functional Collaboration * Collaborate with R&D, Packaging Engineering, and Brand teams to align supplier capabilities with new product development (NPD) and packaging innovation. * Participate in early-stage design reviews to influence material selection, lead time planning, and cost modeling. * Work with Quality and Operations to ensure suppliers meet compliance, product integrity, and production reliability standards. Who You Are… * Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Procurement, Finance, or related field (Master’s or MBA preferred). * Minimum 8 years of procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing experience, preferably in the distilled spirits, beverage, or CPG industry. * Strong negotiation skills and experience managing supplier contracts and commercial terms. * Knowledge of packaging materials (e.g., glass, closures, labels), direct ingredients (grain, sugar, ethanol), and co-manufacturing a plus. * Experience with total cost of ownership modeling * Deep understanding of supplier cost structures, market dynamics, and supply chain interdependencies. * Strong collaboration, communication, and project management skills. * Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, and sourcing tools (e.g., SAP Ariba, Coupa, Jaggaer, etc.). * Proven experience managing sourcing categories relevant to the distilled spirits industry (e.g., packaging, raw materials, glass, closures, labels, liquid, logistics) * Ability to develop and execute category strategies aligned with business objectives and supplier capabilities * Strong track record in strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, contract management, and cost optimization * Skilled in conducting market analysis and benchmarking for ingredients, packaging, and co-pack services * Able to identify and develop a competitive supply base across global and regional markets. * Ability to collaborate with R&D, marketing, operations, and finance to ensure supply alignment with product innovation and brand positioning * Strong interpersonal skills for managing stakeholders and presenting to leadership * Proficiency in procurement analytics, cost modeling, and performance KPIs * Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements in supplier contracts, including quality, delivery, IP, and compliance terms * Demonstrated ability to lead change initiatives, drive procurement transformation, or implement sustainable sourcing practices * Advanced Excel and ERP tools (SAP, Oracle, Coupa, etc.); experience with e-sourcing platforms is a plus Physical Requirements While performing job duties, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, use of computer; and reach with hands and arms. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Benefits * Paid Vacation * 11 Paid Holidays * Health, Dental & Vision eligibility from day one * FSA/HSA * 401K match * EAP * Maternity/Paternity Leave Heaven Hill and its affiliates are committed to fostering a diverse workforce as an Equal Employment Opportunity company. We invite applications from candidates of all backgrounds, without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, natural origin, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Responsibilities

The Sourcing Category Manager develops and executes sourcing strategies across key spend categories, serving as a critical interface between suppliers and various internal teams. This role focuses on delivering cost savings, securing supply continuity, and supporting innovation.