Top Employers Local roots, global reach
Pernod Ricard South Africa is a company in growth, offering global opportunities for top talent
Pernod Ricard South Africa is the number two distributor of leading premium spirits brands in South Africa — including Jameson whiskey, Absolut vodka and GH Mumm champagne. As a company distinguished by its convivial culture and dynamic team of people, it is also a Top Employer for the first time this year.
Pernod Ricard is a global business and all the benefits of ‘glocalisation’ apply. As a local operation Pernod Ricard South Africa can leverage global support and best practice; however, its business philosophy is to balance this with what is best practice competitively in the South African market.
Andre Muller, head of human resources at Pernod Ricard South Africa, says “It is a great honour to have been certified as a Top Employer and is recognition of the emphasis on and effort we put into attracting, retaining and developing people at Pernod Ricard.”
And what differentiates them as an employer?
According to Muller, “We revisit people policies and practices regularly to make sure they are relevant to the constantly changing profile of the South African labour market. In addition we listen to feedback from our employees and actively engage with them. At the end of the day, a policy or practice only works when the people impacted have had an opportunity to hear and be heard.”
“Pernod Ricard South Africa’s brand proposition is ‘ Authentic brands, Authentic people.’ Our brands are iconic premium spirits brands — distinguished in their authentic heritage and quality. People love working on these leading brands.”
But our f ocus on people is equally authentic with emphasis on building real relationships with customers and consumers and, above all, employees. As the ‘creators of conviviality’, Pernod Ricard has a relaxed and friendly culture — so yes — it’s fun to work here. Also, as a company in growth, the opportunities for development and challenge are many.”
Pernod Ricard South Africa grew in terms of headcount by 13%, which equates to 53 new hires in the past 12 months.
What is so special about working at Pernod Ricard? We offer a unique cocktail of five ingredients:
Successful premium brands
Our employees are proud to be ambassadors for our brands because, quite simply, they’re great products. With its unique and rich portfolio, Pernod Ricard is known worldwide as makers of some of the most iconic spirits and wines in the market and our strategies of premium quality and positioning help maintain that image.
The success of our brands rests upon authentic production traditions that have been preserved and passed down for generations.
Our products are made with passion and craft, and we protect the know-how that gives them their quality and their premium character. We’re proud to live by this heritage.
We work in a cool, fun and trendy industry, where we have the opportunity to create and offer exciting experiences for our customers and consumers. That’s why creativity and innovation are vital. And that’s why at Pernod Ricard, the accent is on experimentation in many areas — from advertising to events.
People who are genuine, convivial and passionate
We are approachable, positive and confident without being arrogant. Pernod Ricard’s talented individuals, beyond their professional qualities, demonstrate a strong sense of ethics and are real people. There are no stereotypes or codes; what matters is what each of us brings, our own individual value to the business.
At Pernod Ricard, we aspire to relationships based on respect and mutual trust. We value our differences and support diversity. It’s the natural result of a corporate culture that encourages openness, simplicity, collaboration and transparent communication. It all boils down to a work environment that’s friendly fun, honest and convivial — a key factor in individual and collective commitment.
We live the Pernod Ricard spirit every day, in everything we do. And it is also much more than that: conviviality is our way of being. It is something unique you feel and experience when working at Pernod Ricard. It cements our corporate culture and makes for a warm, welcoming and supportive work environment for all 18 000 of our employees, in all their interactions, internally and externally.
A spirit of entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship has been an integral part of our DNA ever since founders and pioneers Jean Hémard and Paul Ricard began their visionary start-up. The culture of entrepreneurship has permeated the way the Group operates and manages its business. At Pernod Ricard, all employees are “entrepreneurs”. You can sense that spirit in everything we do.
Innovation is at the core of our business strategy and success. We know innovation is key to creating and maintaining the brands that people have come to expect. That’s why we encourage creativity, personal initiative and boldness.
Pernod Ricard’s flexible, decentralised model, unique in the industry, has proven ability to boost performance and individual motivation. That’s because it empowers its people. Thanks to a wholly owned distribution network, decision-making happens close to our customers and consumers at the local level, making our employees’ work more meaningful.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has always been a serious commitment at Pernod Ricard. We believe there is no sustainable economic performance without social responsibility. Our CSR model is based on five engagements: Empower our employees, promote responsible drinking, protect our planet, develop our communities and engage our partners. We expect all our employees worldwide to respect and promote these principles.
Local roots, global reach
As the global co-leader in the wines and spirits sector, Pernod Ricard is extremely well established, with a balanced presence around the world. We have over 18 000 employees in 80 countries that range from emerging economies to mature markets. This gives us a competitive edge for future growth in a variety of regions.
Pernod Ricard is strong worldwide because we’re strong at our local roots. The local dimension is at the heart of Pernod Ricard’s organisation.
One of the perks of working at Pernod Ricard is the feeling of belonging to a worldwide work community. Employees benefit from international exposure and have the opportunity to grow in a multicultural working environment.
Everyone’s connected at Pernod Ricard. With digital tools like Pernod Ricard Chatter, our corporate social network, all employees can interact no matter where they are in the world.
A great place to grow
People are at the heart of our business. Pernod Ricard’s decentralised structure creates jobs with real meaning and real responsibility, and an inspiring, motivating environment. We put the power in our employees’ hands and ask them to innovate, encourage innovative thinking and entrepreneurial behaviours, deliver results and be trustworthy.
We always mobility in all its forms, with publicly advertised jobs that give first priority to employees, and with dedicated HR teams, as well as solid, transparent HR processes and competitive expatriation conditions to support career advancement and talent management.
We want every employee at Pernod Ricard to have room to grow, personally and professionally. We want to maintain an open-minded and respectful atmosphere so everyone feels free to speak up, interact, network and share. Our people are very special to us, and we want to instil in them the desire to act as ambassadors for the Group and its brands.
Muller adds a sixth Ingredient to make the Pernod Ricard offering a premium blend:
Our employees
The people at Pernod Ricard are the vital ingredient. We need a personal touch and individual qualities that will add that special something that make Pernod Ricard stand out.
Zurika Nabbi, talent manager at Pernod Ricard South Africa says “A record number of applications were received during the past year, demonstrating that professional talent is entrusting Pernod Ricard with their next career steps. We are increasingly being seen as a dynamic and attractive employment option by some of the best talent available.”
About Pernod Ricard South Africa
The French-based Pernod Ricard Group is the world coleader of the wine and spirits industry, Pernod Ricard South Africa is one of six African market companies to proudly fly the flag of the Pernod Ricard Group. Established in 1994, following the birth of South Africa’s democracy and the lifting of international trade sanctions, Pernod Ricard South Africa has, over the past 22 years, grown significantly within the local market and still continues to thrive.
Pernod Ricard South Africa is part of a network of 80 international market companies that promote both the Group’s international brands and manages local and regional brands like Red Heart Rum and Olmeca Tequila.