Director, Crop Protection Supplier Relations

CHS Inc. is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States that provides grain, food and energy resources to businesses and consumers around the world.  We serve agriculture customers and consumers across the United States and around the world.  Most of our 10,000 employees are in the United States, but today we have employees in 19 countries. At CHS, we are creating connections to empower agriculture.

Summary

CHS is hiring for a Director, Crop Protection Supplier Relations. This role will support our crop protection products and report to our VP, Research & Development. This role will work in a fast-paced environment with internal and external stakeholders to optimize crop protection business for its strategic crop protection suppliers for both CHS’ wholesale & retail businesses.

Key responsibilities include leading the Procurement, Wholesale/Retail Rebates, and Marketing of the crop protection portfolio. Key outcomes include maximizing crop protection rebates income, inventory management, loyalty program management, working capital and other KPI’s .

Responsibilities

• Strategic Supplier Sourcing Strategy & Relationships:
• Lead the Opportunity Assessment for the role’s strategic suppliers; and develop the long/short-term Procurement Strategy for the Supplier accordingly
• Negotiate both Long Term and Annual agreements with Suppliers; with emphasis on Rebate Opportunity, Rebate Structure, Working Capital, Inventory Management, Retailer Grower Financing Support, LIFT, etc.
• Develop and implement 3-year strategic plans that match CHS Agronomy go to market strategy along with supplier initiatives 
• Role will lead the Demand Creation with the correlating suppliers
• Role will oversee the analysis, implementation, and execution of competitive response tactics and business planning
• Role identifies and positions product/sales/market opportunities by aligning with the respective supplier to develop maximum effectiveness

Product Pricing, Programs & Costing:

• Intimate knowledge of product list pricing, wholesale/retail programs, as well as other offerings to insure accurate entry of net cost to CHS’ system and communication to the field sales organization.
• Interact with Tenkoz management on supplier recommendations and product direction.
• Understanding competitive offers, pricing and terms on Crop Protection products.
• Assess profit opportunities and develop marketing offers to optimize CHS sales (ie. co-promotions, Tenkoz programs, etc). 
• Understanding supplier strategy, company assets & portfolio (current & future).
• Coordinate all pricing, programs, and other supplier offers to field sales and purchasing team.
• To include CHS Wholesale distribution as well as retail 
• Involvement in Regional Meetings to provide Market Intel, Supplier Direction & Product Details

Inventory & Working Capital Optimization:

• Work with the Purchasing Team & Field Sales to determine market segment strategies which incorporate net margins, Tenkoz agreements, and other elements such as inventory/consignment terms, portfolio rewards, payment terms, etc.
• Lead/Work with finance team on trade-off/break even analysis, as well as Prepay Direction 
• Working with the team to define & track of key metrics 
• Implement, Track and adhere to Tenkoz loyalty agreements 
• Expense management to include lowing inventory levels and working on ability to lower working capital expense.

Field Sales Direction & Support

• Forward programs & pricing changes to field sales; with appropriate direction.
• Maintain a wholesale & retail summary program tracking support & Bulk Fill Deadlines
• Attend regional meetings as appropriate.
• Communicate supply, pricing, forecasting, as well as excess inventory to the proper channel
• Monitor competitor activity to ensure appropriate response strategies are formulated and communicated to sales staff.

Minimum Qualifications (required)

• High School diploma or GED
• 7+ years of experience in marketing and agriculture
• Prior leadership experience with progressively advancing level of leadership responsibilities

Additional Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Business, Business Administration, Communications, or related field
• 10+ years of marketing experience; with Basic Manufacturer Experience preferred
• Retail Ag crop protection and seed experience
• Familiarity with key active ingredients and inter-changeability
• Advanced analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
• Good verbal and written communication skills, i