Dry Corn Milling, Product Line Manager

Cargill

Cargill Corn Milling North America is a manufacturer of value-added corn, sugar and health based products serving the Food, Feed and Fermentation segments. From facilities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas, we provide a wide variety of products and services including high fructose corn syrup, corn syrups, dextrose syrups and sucrose that are used in an array of beverage, brewing, confectionery, food and pharmaceutical applications. We provide health and sweetness promoting ingredients for the food and dietary supplement industries worldwide. We also produce a variety of innovative, dry corn ingredients that are used in cereals, snacks, breads, tortillas and animal feed applications. In addition, we produce fuel-grade ethanol and are a leading supplier of corn oil, acidulants, corn gluten meal and corn gluten feed products.

 

Position Purpose

The Dry Corn Milling Product Line Manager position will lead, develop and execute the strategic commercial/business planning, vision and goals for a large, complex product line. Key responsibilities include; developing, delivering and refreshing the product line strategy, exploring market opportunities (North America and International), driving the new product development process, insuring consistent focus on business optimization, making product mix decisions, working with sales on customer segmentation and collaborating across functions to achieve Business Unit targets by setting key milestones and driving disciplined execution.

 

Principal Accountabilities

25% Responsible for product line financial profit and loss results and performance.  Accountable for maximizing the value proposition and for driving portfolio growth and profitability by defining the commercial strategy and market segmentation channels.  Responsible for defining, implementing and analyzing financial and non-financial metrics to include P&L, ROI, ROGI, margin, customer service results, customer satisfaction and budgets.  May directly establish and define high-level priorities in order to achieve sales volume objectives and strategic performance standards for the sales organization.

 

20% Ensures strategic coordination of cross functional team: Coordinate and influence team consisting of multiple functions to achieve product line growth and high performance while actively seeking opportunity to integrate/coordinate with the broader Corn Milling organization and processes.  Leads and champions the development and implementation of the value-added, customers-centric solutions and strategic plans aimed at serving customers, delivering and optimizing product line results.  Provide leadership to drive development of new (value added line extensions) products, supply chain strategy and collaborative efforts in and outside of Cargill, managing all phases of the business through to approval and implementation.  Drive profitability optimization of product line.

 

20% Lead strategic development of product line strategy including pricing strategy.  Develop intimate understanding of competitive market dynamics at supplier, customer and consumer level which impact the product lines.  Coordinate product value propositions development with marketing and analysis to support positioning.  Develop and maintain competitive analysis materials comparing Cargill products with its key competitors from raw material, production, cost and quality perspective.  Maintain communications and contacts to collect and analyze technical, financial and sales information for business.  Coordinate and develop strategic, financial, short and long-term plans for product lines.  This position will also help to identify the needs and resources required to deliver on the strategy and improve connectivity and engagement throughout the Business Unit.

 

20% Partner with sales and marketing plans to ensure revenue and profits are maximized for branded products.  Coordinate with technology leadership on product innovation and product enhancements including estimates of potential revenues/costs of projects.  Work with specialists to develop intellectual property strategy for sterol products that maximizes product life cycle.

 

15% Develops and maintains direct relationships with strategic customers and clients as well as relationships with internal business and functional leaders to develop a broad and deep understanding of customers and markets, customer segments .  Applies broad knowledge to integrate operational capabilities and lead the identification, proposal, development and execution of customer solutions.  Identifies and constructively communicates the need for improvements or enhancements in products and services offered to clients.  May directly escalate complex issues to achieve a positive results.  Responsible for overall customer satisfaction and business retention.  Works directly with commercial management teams to ensure effective alignment and oversees execution of sales/marketing/technology strategy.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree

• Minimum 10 years’ combined experience in product development/product management, product marketing or commercial leadership in a business-to-business setting.

• Ability to understand external market including supply and demand and effect on pricing.

• Strong price and contract negotiation skills.

• Strong strategic thinker.

• Ability to read, analyze, and effectively develop and present information to top management, public groups, and customers.

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.  Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instruction in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

• Ability to compose a business plan and financial concepts.  Ability to calculate Net Present Value (NPV) and Return on Gross Investment (ROGI).  Computer based financial models to business situations.

• Ability to interpret and explain common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.

• Ability to develop strategy for responding to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.

• Computer literate including: word processing, spreadsheets, internet software, e-mail, database software, contact management.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills.

• Strong team leadership skills capable of leading through influence cross functional team.

• Proven business partnering skills.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Nutrition/Food Science, Biology, Biochemistry or Chemical engineering.

• Master’s Degree in Business (MBA)

See full job details and apply at employer site