Commodities Director
Position Summary
The Commodities Director will lead the strategic sourcing, purchasing, and management of raw material inputs essential for ethanol production while driving the marketing and sales of co-products. This key leadership position involves crafting procurement strategies, fostering supplier relationships, optimizing supply chain operations, and maximizing revenue from by-products. The Commodities Director plays a pivotal role in market intelligence, risk management, and cross-functional collaboration to advance the organization's operational and financial goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Procurement Strategy: Design and implement robust sourcing strategies for grains, ensuring alignment with the company's business objectives.
- Co-Product Marketing: Lead the marketing and sales efforts for co-products such as distillers grains, germ, wet-cake, and bran syrup to enhance revenue opportunities.
- Market Development: Identify and capitalize on new sales channels, set competitive pricing strategies, and secure opportunities to expand market reach for co-products.
- Market Intelligence: Analyze market trends, price fluctuations, and supply chain challenges to inform purchasing decisions and mitigate risks.
- Supplier Relations: Build and maintain strategic partnerships with suppliers, negotiate favorable contracts, and ensure a consistent supply of high-quality commodities.
- Team Leadership: Manage and mentor the commodities team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
- Financial Planning: Collaborate with the finance team to establish budgets, forecasts, and models tied to procurement activities.
- Operational Integration: Work closely with production, logistics, and quality assurance teams to streamline supply chain operations and maintain compliance with organizational standards.
- Risk Mitigation: Develop proactive strategies to address potential market risks, ensuring minimal disruption to operations and profitability.
- Reporting: Provide executive-level reporting on procurement initiatives, market conditions, and key performance metrics.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in business, agriculture, supply chain management, or a related field.
- 7+ years of experience in commodities procurement or supply chain management, with a preference for agriculture or ethanol industry backgrounds.
- Demonstrated leadership and team-building experience, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Strong analytical and negotiation abilities, with expertise in market dynamics and risk management strategies.
- Comprehensive knowledge of commodities markets and grain procurement processes.
- Skilled in Microsoft Office and adaptable to new technologies and software systems.
- Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments.
- Valid drivers license and access to reliable transportation for field visits.
This role offers the opportunity to influence the organizations success by combining strategic vision, market expertise, and operational execution. If youre ready to make a significant impact, wed love to hear from you!