Pernod Ricard to Get Automation-Enabled Sourcing Lift
International spirits manufacturer Pernod Ricard will elevate its sourcing processes, streamlining operations across the enterprise.
The company has a market presence in 60 countries and includes a portfolio with such brands as Jameson Whiskey, Absolut Vodka, Malibu and Havana Club.
In order to simplify operations and remove complexities, the company sought a solution that would discontinue disparate technology from various external sources and reconfigure sourcing efforts through a single, scalable platform while maintaining operational flexibility for individual business segments.
To do so, Pernod Ricard partnered with Ivalua, engaging in a phased approach that will touch all areas of procurement in the next several years.
As part of this, the company will modernize its source-to-receipt operations and centralize supplier management. The new technology will integrate with the company's existing ERP systems to ensure interoperability across all businesses.
New automations are expected to yield benefits such as improved vendor management and collaboration, simplified workflows and upgraded risk reduction. Additionally, Pernod Ricard will enhance its decision-making capabilities through embedded analytics, enabling it to optimize procurement-related performance.
Sarah Kerlan, chief procurement officer at Pernod Ricard, said in a statement that procurement plays a strategic role within the company's vision of operational excellence and sustainable sourcing. The initiative will help "spread a common procurement language" across the organization, she added.
An Enterprise-Wide Digital Overhaul
This initiative is part of a larger digital transformation strategy that includes route-to-market optimizations across its U.S. portfolio. Earlier this month, Pernod Ricard announced it was also elevating on-trade visibility and execution via an RGM investment that would tap into advanced analytics and post-event analysis to create smarter pricing decisions.
The company's chief commercial officer, Paul Basford, who joined last December and is leading such efforts, previously said Pernod Ricard is building a future-ready commercial organization with a focus on more than just structural changes, but also cultivating meaningful relationships and setting clear accountability standards.
