Felicity Casey McGrath is Head of Indirect Procurement & Procurement Excellence at Irish Distillers based in Dublin. In this role, Felicity and her team are responsible for driving transformation across both direct and indirect procurement by building, delivering and evolving Procurement’s infrastructure to be best-in-class.
What do you do here at Irish Distillers?
I am currently Head of Indirect Procurement and Procurement Excellence. However, I have worked across many functions in Irish Distillers, and actually started in Marketing.
Tell us more about the Indirect Procurement team and Procurement Excellence
Indirect Procurement is a team of strategic Business Partners who collaborate with stakeholders, to deliver sustainable, long-term value to the business. Our work contributes to Irish Distillers’ growth ambitions. Procurement Excellence is responsible for driving transformation across both direct and indirect procurement. Procurement Excellence is responsible for building, delivering and evolving Procurement’s infrastructure to be best-in-class.
How has your career evolved in more recent years?
I enjoy strategic transformation where, along with the team, we join the dots with intent to implement plans for the long-term. Irish Distillers has supported this passion by allowing me to work on many interesting transformation initiatives. Some of these have included projects in marketing, strategy, sales route to market and, most recently, procurement.
What type of projects have you been involved in at Irish Distillers?
Irish Distillers has gone through a procurement transformation journey recently. This started just before Covid, with additional procurement professionals joining our team. With the strong support of the Irish Distillers Leadership Team, together with the business and teams, we have transformed how Irish Distillers “procures”. I hope that each member of our team is proud of what we have achieved together!
What Global Pernod Ricard projects have you been involved in?
Many! Two interesting ones that come to mind are firstly, the design, build and implementation of our internal Design Studio, The Mix. Secondly, the design, build and implementation of our first internal Pernod Ricard University called “i-GROW”, providing a functional skills training programme to the global marketing community in Pernod Ricard.
How would you describe the culture in Irish Distillers and what makes it unique?
Friendly, warm and inclusive… with a bit of craic. The company takes pride in “doing the right thing” by our people, the world around us, our consumers and our brands. We are proud of the legacy of Irish whiskey and our brands that we are “minding” for future generations.
How do you maintain your work life balance?
I have been very fortunate to have been supported by Irish Distillers and several mentors throughout my career. There is never a dull day! I plan long-term and prioritise and re-prioritise constantly.
What advice would you give someone starting out in their career and interested in joining Irish Distillers?
What a great opportunity, come join us!
The convivial nature and entrepreneurial spirit of Pernod Ricard and the “family” culture of Irish Distillers provide a great platform on which to start your career. There are opportunities to work across different functions or to work globally. Particularly as the world is changing at such pace, so will the jobs we do. Oh, and by the way, we have great brands!
Describe Irish Distillers in 3 words.
Real, Remarkable, Responsible
