Procurement Manager

The Strategic Alliance & Procurement Manager will support elements of Procurement team by identifying and creating processes to drive efficiencies across team. Manage all elements of post-patent and vended Crop Protection (CP) procurement, including developing manufacturer alliances, product sourcing, program management, competitive net cost positions, inventory management, cash management, and risk mitigation. Ensure crop protection product requirements are met through sourcing negotiations, strong business relationships, and sound decision-making practices. Strong collaborator and communicator with a team-first style who partners effectively with Marketing, Distribution, Finance, Agronomy & Product Development, Sales, and External Suppliers and thrives in a fast-paced environment on a highly influential team.

This role is located at our Corporate Headquarters in Arden Hills, MN (hybrid work arrangement each week)

Your primary responsibilities include:

Internal Alignment:

·        Develop close communication internally across Procurement team to identify process improvements, build consistent reporting mechanisms, and assist with large-scale annual negotiations

·        Coordinate closely with internal teams including Marketing, Advanced Analytics, Finance, Supply Chain, etc. to understand all existing tools available to support Procurement team, and identify gaps to build-out new reporting tools and processes

·        Coordinate closely with Marketing, Sales, and Supply Chain to resolve issues with supply, competitive offers, and product direction

·        Coordinate with Marketing, Demand Planning, Finance, and others to create financial and volume forecast; annual, quarterly, monthly, with regular check-in for accuracy and adjustment

·        Ownership of negotiated rebate structures, coordination with all internal stakeholders and peer Procurement Managers to maximize total rebate incentive earnings

·        Ownership of purchase strategy and coordination with Supply Chain and Marketing to execute strategy, manage purchases, inventory levels, and product allocations

Procurement Execution:

·        Direct ownership of est. $100M annual spend across several manufacturers, ownership of annual rebate program negotiations, and all aspects related to manufacturer relationship ownership

·        Identify and maximize savings opportunities across manufacturers and products by identifying substitute / like products, and creating a sourcing strategy that maximizes WFU retail’s ability to compete locally with best-in-class cost and supply positions

·        Collaborate internally and externally to best align manufacturer, retailer, and Winfield United growth strategies into a joint executable plan

·        Strong influence into WFU P/L and retail growth abilities through cost negotiation and growth strategy implementation

·        Represent Winfield United as the key point of contact for all items related to manufacturers and build strong communication patterns with all stakeholders

·        Negotiate annual supply agreements including rebate structure, sales and purchase forecasts, terms, and investments into WinField United initiatives

·        Communicate daily/weekly with manufacturer Key Account Managers

·        Collaborate with manufacturers’ Senior Executive Leadership as appropriate to influence strategic planning

Project Management:

·        Serve as the expert on all things related to assigned manufacturers, including presenting internally and externally on all aspects of suppliers’ business

·        Knowledge and influence of manufacturers’ innovation pipelines, patent timelines, and build strategies to defend value where appropriate

·        Understanding of manufacturers’ portfolios and life-cycle management strategies to negotiate opportunities for access to WinField United private-label brands

Qualifications:

·        Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or Business-related field with 5+ years of relevant/related experience.

·        Knowledge of crop protection, specialty Ag markets or procurement highly desired

·        Strong analytical mindset with ability to create value by developing formal reporting processes

·        Proactive communicator with exceptional written, verbal, and formal presentation skills

·        Trustworthy with a strong level of personal commitment and team-first mindset

·        Proven ability to coordinate and collaborate with multiple stakeholders

·        Ability to make sound decisions and complete tasks in a fast-paced work environment

·        Experience demonstrating agility and leading/adapting quickly to change

·        Solid experience using Microsoft products (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint); virtual collaboration tools (Teams, Zoom)

·        5% overnight travel required

 $91,120-$136,680.  In most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges. 

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

Benefits for most full-time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k and a variety of well-being resources. Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Neither Land O’Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.