Senior Director, Cocoa

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: 

Management and Communication (20%) 

• Ensure effective commodity procurement functions and processes are developed, implemented and continuously improved
  
  
  
  • Establish and publish key performance indicators including hedging performance relative to defined plan
  
  
  • Coordinate with senior managers (CEO, COO, SVP & VP of Procurement etc.) in strategic evaluation of sourcing strategy, differential and cocoa product ratio risk, and bean differential coverage with goal to maximize profitability
  
  
  
  


• Evaluate and recommend cocoa bean differential cover length taking into consideration current forward sales to customers, pressing profitability assumptions, current market structure (carry risk), internal differential coverage guidance and crop dynamics.


• Generate PPV margins as per budgets and forecast profitability expectation to senior management


• Ensure stock levels are within budgeted quantities for cocoa beans and products; find new ways to reduce working capital – trade finance, liquidity swaps, etc. The person should forecast working capital requirements on a rolling basis to management team


• Develop market view and reporting to senior management on potential threats and opportunities from market changes


• Represent company at international conferences and organizations.

Risk Management & Profitability (30%)

•  Evaluate market fluctuations based upon data and historical information


• 
  
  
  
  • Report risks relating to the cocoa market and take actions to mitigate the risks
  
  
  • Report price coverage relative to sales booked for bean differentials
  
  
  • Lead pricing discussions for cocoa raw material based on the market situation to maximize PPV while securing sales
  
  
  • Support VP of Cocoa and the Sales teams as required on pricing negotiations with strategic customers
  
  
  
  


• Ensure consistent compliance with customer standards, safety/OSHA and quality standards/HACCP and GMP standards for products sourced for Blommer


• Set market and counterparty limits in coordination with the Middle Office and ensure that positions are within the limits


• Manage differential, outright, spread positions to minimize risk and maximize profitability


• Set market and counterparty limits in coordination with the risk team and ensure that positions are within the limits

Cacao Bean Sourcing (30%)

• Develop physical sourcing strategy that ensures the quantity and quality of cocoa at a competitive delivered plant cost; understand pricing dynamics and cost structure throughout cocoa supply chain (from farmer to plant); competitive sourcing dynamics and relative advantages; evaluate relative value of bean types to determine optimal bean blend; develop supply base to manage counter party risk.


• Lead physical bean procurement process; negotiate and implement cocoa contracts; ensure beans meet quality parameters for Blommer and quantity meets needs of the chocolate cocoa supply chain.


• Support R&D, Production and Sales team in development of new products and sales opportunities while also collaborating to secure greater bean blend flexibility.


• Ensure full tender of cocoa is received against contracts; oversee commodity traffic department activities ensuring appropriate bean inventory levels are maintained.


• Ensure proper negotiation of contract and coverage terms for marine insurance and manage any related insurance claims.


• Manage bank relationships and administrative activities for inventory financing; establish appropriate vendor terms; manage bank finance contracts for assigned categories; provide financing forecasts to financial group.


• Secure competitive rates for logistics savings on warehousing, ocean freight handling, inbound plant freight etc.


• Utilize exchange as a tool for sourcing cocoa beans if it makes sense


• Increase number of reliable counterparty and approved suppliers to support a diversified supplier base.


• Source from suppliers to meet sustainability goals of Blommer and necessary compliance requirements

Team Management (20%)

• Lead the cocoa department
  
  
  
  • Set and align commodity department vision and strategy with Blommer’s overall business strategy and objectives
  
  
  • Supervise the cocoa team’s sourcing, negotiation, contracting, and hedging strategies on daily basis
  
  
  • Ensure strong cross-functional communication and collaboration with strong focus on sustainability activities
  
  
  • Ensure coordination and integration of team activities to support organizational strategic initiatives
  
  
  
  


• Set the structure for the cocoa organization to maximize opportunities in the market


• Train, develop, and motivate the cocoa team to ensure they have the skills to perform their roles successfully


• Participate in forums or committees to bring subject matter expertise and thought leadership in making recommendations to the senior management team on strategy, company standards, procedures, compliance and metrics


• Operate within the Blommer core values of respect and care for others and be a team player

 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


• Travel required, approximately 20-30%

Safety, Quality and Hygiene Requirements:

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


• Comply with workplace uniform requirements and safety gear, when on the plant floor v. office

Performance Expectations:

• Manage product operation with a high set of standards to produce consistent, quality-driven results


• 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:

• 10+ years’ experience in cocoa risk management, including cocoa hedging, origination, supplier development and fundamental market analysis or equivalent combination of education and experience


• 5+ experience in leading and motivating diverse teams


• Demonstrates a strategic mindset with an eye toward operational excellence


• Diverse knowledge of commodity procurement procedures


• Understands financial and budgetary requirements


• Prioritize and assess risk to the business and adapt to rapidly changing situations


• Ability to establish and build trusting relationships at all levels of the organization


• Short- and longer-term strategic planning


• Team building: ability to motivate, produce quality outcomes with tight time limits and simultaneously manage multiple projects

Education:

• Master's degree in business

Career Progression:

• Leaders and Employees are encouraged to express interest in internal career opportunities throughout Blommer


• Potential to serve as a mentor in support of the development and advancement of resources

A reasonable estimate of the current base salary range at the time of posting is below. The base salary does not include other forms of compensation or benefits. The actual base salary within the specified range is based on several factors, including but not limited to applicant's skills, prior relevant experience, education, certifications, job responsibilities, market considerations and, if applicable, the location of the position.

This role is eligible for either a discretionary annual bonus (based on company, business unit and individual performance).  

Salary Range: $260K-$295K

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!


• 401(K)


• Pet insurance


• Tuition reimbursement


• 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. 

Note to External Recruiters / Search Firms: Blommer Chocolate Company does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not pay for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Any unsolicited resumes received will not be considered as a valid submission.