Retail Strategy Product Development Manager

Sazerac Company is an independent, American family-owned company renowned for producing award-winning bourbons and whiskeys. The Retail Strategy Product Development Manager will lead the development and execution of product strategies for Sazerac-owned retail stores, focusing on enhancing brand identity, driving sales, and guest engagement through effective product assortments and vendor management.

Responsibilities:

• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Develop pricing strategies and review cadence, including Good/Better/Best tiering and tactical margin moves
• Partner with site GMs and Retail Managers to align assortments with local guest profiles and sales opportunities
• 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:

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