Sazerac
Family-owned producer and distributor of spirits
Category Manager - Regional Grocery
More locations: San Francisco, CA, USA | Los Angeles, CA, USA | Sacramento, CA, USA | San Diego, CA, USA
Remote within California or Nevada.
About the job
- A bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field is required.
- At least 5 years of experience in Category Management, Shopper Insights, or related roles within CPG or beverage is required.
- The candidate must be able to turn retail and shopper data into clear, customer-facing recommendations that drive results.
- Experience with syndicated and shopper data, such as Nielsen, IRI/Circana, and tools such as Excel or Power BI, is required.
- Own the full process from pulling and analyzing raw, imperfect data to turning it into clear selling stories that drive decisions with retailers and Sales.
- Work directly with Sales and customers to ensure insights appear in conversations and translate to in-store execution.
- Identify and advance the largest growth opportunities across assortment, shelving, pricing, and promotions.
- Build simple, high-impact tools and visuals that drive action rather than only reporting.
- Stay close to the market and validate in-store to ensure strategies deliver real results.
- 8+ years of experience in Category Management, Shopper Insights, or related roles within CPG or beverage.
- Experience supporting large regional or national grocery retailers.
- Background in beverage, alcohol, or other DSD categories.
- Experience with advanced data tools such as Tableau, SQL, or Alteryx, or building scalable reporting solutions.
About the company
Sazerac is an independent, family-owned American company that creates and distributes a wide range of alcoholic beverages. It owns and operates distilleries and brands in the United States and around the world, producing whiskies, vodkas, rums, liqueurs, and other spirits that are bottled and sold through retailers, bars, and distributors. The company emphasizes a blend of history, culture, relationships, technology, and its people to drive growth, with a track record of double-digit growth since the 2000s. What sets Sazerac apart is its long family ownership, global footprint, diverse brand portfolio, and emphasis on people and partnerships. Its goal is to be one of the industry’s most desirable places to be, continuing to grow its brands and reach while promoting responsible drinking and a strong company culture.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Metairie, Louisiana
Founded
1850
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- September 2026 Berentzen bid expands Sazerac's European footprint and distribution immediately.
- Au Vodka closed September 14, 2026, giving Sazerac a hot UK RTD platform.
- Glenmore relaunch, SVEDKA UK launch, and Garrard County capacity expand 2026 growth channels.
What critics are saying
- Berentzen's weak 2026 profits burden Sazerac with a distressed European asset integration.
- Au Vodka, SVEDKA, and Berentzen strain management while consumer alcohol demand stays fickle.
- A failed Europe push leaves Sazerac overexposed to acquired brands, not owned consumer loyalty.
What makes Sazerac unique
- Private family ownership lets Sazerac buy brands fast without quarterly earnings pressure.
- Buffalo Trace, Fireball, and Southern Comfort give Sazerac unusually broad shelf leverage.
- Kentucky distilling, bottling, and aging scale supports rapid brand relaunches and distribution.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Disability Insurance
Life Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Flexible Time Away
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Parental Leave
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Tuition Reimbursement
Training Programs
Professional Development Budget
Company News
Kendall Jenner's 818 tequila is the fastest-growing tequila brand in the US, according to industry data ending 5 September 2026. The brand recently received a minority investment from Sazerac, maker of Fireball and Southern Comfort. An insider noted the achievement follows three years of double-digit growth whilst the category remained flat or declining. This comes despite a Gallup poll showing 54% of US adults now drink alcohol, tying a record low from last year. US alcohol consumption dropped 5% in 2025. Tequila and nonalcoholic drinks are among the few bright spots in the struggling spirits market. However, IWSR Bevtrac reported that Gen Z's drinking levels are broadly in line with other generations, contrary to public perception.
Sazerac to acquire German spirits producer Berentzen. By Maisie Gray September 23, 2026 Sazerac, the company behind Fireball, has finalized a deal to purchase Berentzen Group, a Germany-based spirits company, as part of its efforts to expand its European footprint. The acquisition price is set at 5.55 euros per share, equivalent to approximately $6.31, representing a 68% premium over Berentzen Group's average share price for the three months preceding September 16. The transaction, which is contingent upon shareholder approval, is anticipated to be completed by year's end, at which time Berentzen Group will be delisted from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. A legacy of german spirits. With a history spanning over 250 years, Berentzen Group is one of Germany's most established spirit producers, operating in more than 60 countries worldwide. The company is renowned for its brands, including Berentzen schnapps and Puschkin vodka, as well as its portfolio of nonalcoholic beverages and juices. This strategic acquisition is aligned with Sazerac's goal of increasing its influence in Europe, where established distribution networks can be difficult to handle. By leveraging Berentzen Group's existing operations, Sazerac aims to expand the distribution of its Buffalo Trace products with greater ease and speed. According to Oliver Schwegmann and Ralf Bruehoefner, members of Berentzen Group's Executive Board, "The business combination will present the Berentzen Group with an excellent opportunity to consistently pursue its growth strategy and tap into further potential for value creation at a pace and on a scale that is only possible with a strong strategic partner in a challenging European market." Expansion through acquisitions. Sazerac is pursuing an aggressive acquisition strategy to drive growth in a challenging market for alcohol producers. This is the company's second European deal in the past year, following its acquisition of U.K.-based canned cocktail brand Au Vodka last month. Sazerac has also acquired U.K.-based Last Drop Distillers and Hawk's Rock Distillery in Ireland over the past decade, in addition to purchasing a group of whiskey facilities in Kentucky.
Sazerac revives Glenmore Whiskey brand with two new releases. September 17, 2026 Sazerac Company announced the launch of Glenmore Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Glenmore Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, two brand-new releases crafted to bring back one of Kentucky's most historic whiskey names for a new generation of whiskey enthusiasts. Inspired by more than 100 years of Glenmore Distillery history, the new whiskeys celebrate the legacy of a Distillery that played an important role in the development of American whiskey. Tracing its roots to 1869, when founder Richard Monarch began distilling whiskey in Owensboro, Kentucky, the Glenmore Distillery Company would go on to become one of the state's most influential whiskey producers, earning a reputation for quality, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Throughout its history, Glenmore Distillery helped shape American whiskey through a portfolio of well-known whiskey brands, pioneering marketing strategies and its distinction as one of the few distilleries licensed to bottle medicinal whiskey during Prohibition. The Glenmore Distillery continued distilling whiskey for more than 120 years before production at the Distillery ended in 1992. Since then, Sazerac has transformed the historic site into one of the country's largest and most modern facilities to support production, barrel aging and bottling operations across a variety of spirits categories. With the introduction of Glenmore Bourbon Whiskey and Glenmore Rye Whiskey, Sazerac is bringing the historic Glenmore name into a new era. These expressions are inspired by the pioneering spirit of the original Glenmore Distillery and celebrate the innovation, craftsmanship and whiskey-making traditions that defined its legacy. "The Glenmore name has an incredible history, and we're honored to help write its next chapter," Lauren Selman, Global Growth and Innovation Director at Sazerac, said in a news release. "As the owners and operators of The Glenmore distillery, we have long desired to bring this brand back to life. There is an entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to innovate that define the Distillery's history, and we saw an opportunity to give those qualities new life. We're excited to whiskey fans to try this release and celebrate this new era with us!" While both are bottled at 100 proof, Glenmore Bourbon Whiskey and Glenmore Rye Whiskey offer distinctly different flavor profiles that showcase the character of their respective whiskey styles. "Glenmore Distillery's history is about much more than the whiskey that carried its name," Nick Laracuente, Bourbon Archaeologist & Lead Archivist at Sazerac, said. "The archives reveal generations of people, ideas and ingenuity that helped build the Distillery and its brands. We studied advertisements, labels, photographs and records to help us piece together the Distillery's story, and we're excited to preserve that history while giving the Glenmore name an opportunity to be discovered all over again." Glenmore Bourbon Whiskey is now available through Sazerac's United States distributor network and will begin shipping to retailers, bars and restaurants immediately. Glenmore Rye Whiskey will be available beginning September 2026. Both expressions carry a suggested retail price of $19.99 per 750ml bottle; taxes and availability vary by market. ABOUT GLENMORE WHISKEY Glenmore Whiskey is a new American whiskey brand inspired by the history and pioneering spirit of the historic Glenmore Distillery in Owensboro, Kentucky, which produced whiskey from 1869 to 1992. Featuring Glenmore Bourbon Whiskey and Glenmore Rye Whiskey, both bottled at 100 proof, the brand celebrates the craftsmanship, ingenuity and whiskey-making heritage that shaped the Glenmore name for generations. Today, Glenmore carries that historic Kentucky whiskey name forward into a new era crafted for a new generation of whiskey enthusiasts.To learn more, visit glenmorewhiskey.com.
US spirits producer Sazerac is in discussions to acquire German beverage group Berentzen through a voluntary takeover offer for all outstanding shares. Berentzen's shares jumped 22% following the announcement, reaching a 14-month high, though no formal bid price has been disclosed. Berentzen had a market capitalisation of approximately €35 million based on the previous session's close. The German company produces spirits brands including Berentzen Apfelkorn and Puschkin Vodka, alongside soft drinks such as Mio Mio. The takeover interest comes as Berentzen faces challenging trading conditions. First-half revenue fell to €71 million from €79.9 million year-on-year, whilst EBIT dropped to €0.6 million from €3.2 million. Management cut its full-year outlook in July, reducing expected revenue to €151 million to €156 million. Privately owned Sazerac, which owns brands including Southern Comfort and Fireball, has been expanding through acquisitions, recently purchasing British spirits producer Au Vodka.
Sazerac in talks to buy German schnapps maker Berentzen. September 16, 2026 at 4:20 PM GMT+2 Updated on September 16, 2026 at 6:32 PM GMT+2 Sazerac Co. is in talks to acquire German schnapps maker Berentzen-Gruppe AG, as the US spirits firm pushes to add brands in Europe. Sazerac, which makes Southern Comfort whiskey and Buffalo Trace bourbon, has entered negotiations to acquire Berentzen, the German company said in a statement, confirming an earlier Bloomberg News report. For Sazerac, it marks the second deal in Europe this month.