Cost Optimization - Value Engineering Category Lead

Sazerac Company; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 98,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401K

Paid time off

Job summary

Sazerac Company, based in Louisville, KY, seeks a Value Engineering Category Lead to shape cost optimization across Procurement, Product Development, Manufacturing, Finance, and Operations. This role combines strategic thinking with financial analysis to lower cost of goods while preserving product quality and brand integrity.

You will lead cross-functional VE initiatives, develop financial models and roadmaps, and communicate progress to senior leaders, driving strategic sourcing and long‑term

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• 5+ years of experience in procurement, value engineering, strategic sourcing, or related supply chain functions.
• Strong analytical, financial modeling, project management, and business case development skills with ability to evaluate cost, risk, and tradeoffs.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and lead complex initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Identify and lead value engineering initiatives that reduce cost of goods while maintaining product quality, regulatory compliance, and brand standards.
• Partner with Procurement, Product Development, Manufacturing, Finance, Operations, and Brand teams to evaluate, prioritize, and implement cost optimization opportunities.
• Develop financial models, business cases, and value engineering roadmaps to support strategic sourcing and cost reduction initiatives.
• Analyze manufacturing processes, ingredient sourcing, and supply chain opportunities to improve operational efficiency and long‑term value.
• Drive cross-functional projects from concept through implementation while communicating progress, risks, and results to business leaders.

Skills

Analytical skills

Financial modeling

Project management

Business case development

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Sazerac Company Overview

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, Traveller, and Sazerac Rye. Additionally, Sazerac owns many popular brands across a range of spirits, including Fireball, Svedka, Wheatley, BuzzBallz, 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.

Job Description/Responsibilities

Join our Procurement team and help shape the future of product innovation through value engineering. As the Value Engineering Category Lead, you will identify and deliver sustainable cost optimization opportunities by partnering across Procurement, Product Development, Manufacturing, Finance, Operations, and Brand teams. This highly collaborative role combines strategic thinking, financial analysis, and cross-functional leadership to improve cost of goods while maintaining product quality, consumer expectations, and brand integrity.

What You'll Do

• Identify and lead value engineering initiatives that reduce cost of goods while maintaining product quality, regulatory compliance, and brand standards.
• Partner with Procurement, Product Development, Manufacturing, Finance, Operations, and Brand teams to evaluate, prioritize, and implement cost optimization opportunities.
• Develop financial models, business cases, and value engineering roadmaps to support strategic sourcing and cost reduction initiatives.
• Analyze manufacturing processes, ingredient sourcing, and supply chain opportunities to improve operational efficiency and long‑term value.
• Drive cross-functional projects from concept through implementation while communicating progress, risks, and results to business leaders.

Qualifications/Requirements

Required

• Bachelor's degree
• 5+ years of experience in procurement, value engineering, strategic sourcing, commercial negotiations, or a related supply chain function
• Strong analytical, financial modeling, project management, and business case development skills with the ability to evaluate cost, risk, and operational tradeoffs
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and lead complex initiatives

Preferred

• Experience within food and beverage, distilled spirits, consumer packaged goods (CPG), chemicals, or other formulation-driven manufacturing environments
• Experience leading cost of goods (COGS) reduction, value engineering, or manufacturing optimization initiatives
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, ingredient sourcing, and supply chain network optimization

#LI-TH1

#Hybrid

Culture and Benefits

Sazerac offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, 401K, paid time off, and more. These benefits may vary depending on location and work type. Learn more about how we support our employees here.

The annual salary range for this role is $98,332.86 - $147,499.29. Final compensation will be based on relevant experience, qualifications, geographic location, and internal pay equity considerations.

Sazerac is committed to equality of opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.