Director, Non-Cocoa Commodities

Blommer; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental & Vision

Birthday chocolate gift

Job summary

Blommer Chocolate Company in Chicago is seeking an experienced leader to drive commodity risk management and procurement strategies across key ingredients and currencies. You will lead hedging activities, negotiate contracts, and partner with suppliers to secure cost-effective, high-quality inputs for our plants and customers.

The role requires deep market insight, strong analytical ability, and capability to communicate complex strategies to internal teams and customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Economics, Statistics, Finance, or Business Administration.
• Strong analytical skills with understanding of market dynamics, futures and markets.
• Experience developing and executing procurement and hedging strategies.

Responsibilities

• Assess commodity cost risk and implement mitigation strategies.
• Lead contract negotiations and supplier partnerships.
• Provide market analyses to sales and customers to maximize profitability.

Skills

Supply chain

Procurement operations

Analytical skills

Futures and markets knowledge

Public speaking

MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Statistics, Finance, or Business Administration

Tools

Microsoft Office

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Chicago - MerchandiseMart
Blommer Chocolate Company (Headquarters)
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza
Suite 626
Chicago, IL 606541339, USA

Blommer has been providing delicious, high-quality chocolate and cocoa products to customers since 1939. Built as a family business, we are continuing to grow and are looking for motivated and reliable associates to help in our mission of Bringing Chocolate to Life!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Commodity Risk Management

• Accurately assess commodity cost risk and devise/implement appropriate risk strategies to mitigate that risk.
  • Identify optimal coverage length and buying strategies for each sugar, dairy, fats/oils, currency, energy, and functional ingredients
  • Ensure balanced hedge position maintained for each
• Develop long-term strategic view of supplier base, foster key business relationships service providers that deliver a competitive advantage and assure continuity of commodities meeting quality and cost parameters
  • Lead contract negotiations
  • Negotiate and implement contracts to support current and future business needs
  • Create partnerships with key suppliers to develop ongoing sourcing strategies
• Provide analysis and input to our Sales team and Customers with goal to maximize overall profitability while aiding customers to minimize their risk
• Accurately analyze commodity markets utilizing various research models, forecasting techniques to develop a sound view of the market, assess market trends, crop expectations, and overall directional expectations
  • Provide and present complex strategies in an understandable context to customers and internal management/sales team
  • Constantly evaluate and analyze commodity markets to capitalize on market aberrations

Leadership/Management

• Manage performance of direct reports and customize individual development plans with them.
  • Coach and develop direct reports, assess their readiness for new roles, and identify development opportunities for them
  • Provide leadership in the identification and development of new procurement initiatives and programs
• Operate within the core values of respect and care for others.

Note: The employer reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position

Physical Requirements:

• General office environment with majority of time using computer; prolonged periods of sitting
• Ability to travel within the US and Canada to work with suppliers and our four plants
• Travel Requirement 20%

Safety, Quality and Hygiene Requirements:

• Maintain compliance with all company policies, procedures, and code of conduct

Performance Expectations:

• Deliver on Non-Cocoa Financial (PPV) targets
• Provide thought Leadership in Non-Cocoa Raw Materials Risk Management to BCC customer base
• Promote a positive attitude and a sense of curiosity in learning new roles and responsibilities
• Instill a culture of leadership and engagement of team to achieve performance expectations

Skills and Work Experience Requirements:

• Minimum 15 years in supply chain/procurement operations with strong analytical skills and understanding of market dynamics, futures and markets
• Experience in developing and executing procurement and hedging strategies; leadership and management skills; public speaking; problem solving; verbal and written communication
• Understand economic, technical issues; with ability to perform independent value analysis
• Highly organized, detail orientated, ability to handle multiple activities with strong time-management capacity and ability to adapt to changing situations quickly
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including PowerPoint, Excel

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Statistics, Finance, or Business Administration
• Employees are encouraged to express interest in internal career opportunities throughout Blommer
• Expectations for promotion or job role change are driven by proficiency and performance in current role
• Career progression would align to commodities, operations, and corporate leadership roles within Blommer

Pay Range:

$170K-195K

Benefits:

Blommer understands that our employees are our biggest assets. With this in mind we offer a generous benefits package.

• Health, Dental & Vision- eligibility begins day 1 of hire!
• 10 pounds of free chocolate for your birthday

Blommer Chocolate Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.