Retail Strategy Product Development Manager

Build your career at Sazerac! With almost 400 years of rich history, Sazerac Company has thrived as an independent, American family-owned company with operations in the United States and around the world. Since the 2000s, Sazerac has averaged double digit growth every year! Sazerac Company produces and markets the most award-winning bourbons and whiskeys in the world, including Buffalo Trace, Pappy Van Winkle, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, and Sazerac Rye. Additionally, Sazerac owns many popular brands across a range of spirits, including Fireball, Southern Comfort, Seagram’s V.O., Myers’s, Goldschläger, Parrot Bay, 99 Brand, and Platinum Vodka. 

We’re proud of our award-winning culture and distilleries. Our Louisville office has been named one of the “Best Places to Work in Kentucky” four times, and our Buffalo Trace Distillery has earned the title of “world’s most award-winning distillery” through the dedication of our craftsmen for well over 200 years. Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional, Sazerac provides extraordinary opportunities for growth with competitive salaries and benefits in an exciting, entrepreneurial industry.

The Retail Product Development Manager will lead the development and execution of the product strategy for all Sazerac-owned retail stores in Homeplaces and Branded Experiences. This role ensures that every branded merchandise and retail item reflects the brand’s identity while driving sales, margin, and guest engagement. It is a strategic and hands-on position responsible for developing assortments, managing vendors, and partnering closely with in-market teams to build world-class retail experiences.

Product Strategy & Range Planning

• Lead the product strategy and seasonal range planning for all physical retail locations across domestic and international markets.
• Partner with site GMs and Retail Managers to align assortments with local guest profiles and sales opportunities.
• Deliver on brand, revenue, and gross profit objectives through product development, buying, and merchandising.
• Create and manage multi-brand assortments across price tiers, focusing on value, brand alignment, and SKU productivity.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with brand teams to translate campaign narratives into tangible product offers.
• Stay ahead of retail and cultural trends to ensure relevant and on-brand product selections.

Store & Vendor Management

• Conduct periodic store audits to evaluate merchandising execution and product performance.
• Negotiate vendor costs and lead RFP processes to maximize margin and secure best-in-class partners.

Business & Category Management

• Own and manage category-level business planning, SKU performance reviews, and seasonal refresh calendars.
• Manage creative and production agencies responsible for product design and delivery.
• Lead the development of product planning tools, calendars, and process improvements.
• Set in-stock targets, safety stock levels, and SKU count discipline by location and category.

Pricing & Margin Optimization

• Develop pricing strategies and review cadence, including Good/Better/Best tiering and tactical margin moves.

Site Partnership

• Partner with site GMs and Retail Managers to align assortments with local guest profiles and sales opportunities.

People Development & Culture

• Conduct PDS reviews with direct reports to enhance skills and performance.
• Utilize the PDS framework as a tool to facilitate effective performance discussions, ensure consistent skill assessments, recommend appropriate actions and strategies, and monitor progress.
• Promote the adoption and effective utilization of PDS within the Homeplace team.
• Foster and uphold the Company’s culture and values.

Requirements to be successful in the role:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 10+ years’ experience in retail product strategy, developing assortments, managing vendors and partnering with in-market teams.
• 10+ years of experience in retail product development, buying, or merchandising roles
• 5+ years of experience in a senior strategic capacity
• Ability to communicate with all levels of an org
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects at one time
• Willingness to travel
• Comfortable with change in a fast-moving environment.
• Demonstrate the ability to work as a team as well as self-directed
• Excellent oral & written communication skills
• Proven ability to lead product strategies across multi-brand and multi-territory portfolios
• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills with a track record of improving gross margin
• Experience working directly with operational retail teams in dynamic, guest-facing environments
• Deep knowledge of product lifecycle management and retail merchandising best practices
• Exceptional project and calendar management skills with high attention to detail
• Passion for building brand-right, guest-centric retail environments

PREFERRED

• Master's degree in related field
• Spirits, beverage, or FMCG sector experience

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel (up to 25%)

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