The Senior Strawberry Business Manager is responsible for the profit and loss (P&L) of the Driscoll's of the Americas (DOTA) strawberry business, representing the annual P&L for both Driscoll’s and the Enterprise (Grower and Driscoll’s) at large. The Senior Strawberry Business Manager leads the Strawberry Execution Team, calling on extended team members as necessary, to align supply and demand such that market value is optimized, costs are minimized, and customer and consumer experience (delight) is maximized. The Senior Strawberry Business Manager manages the business planning process, responsible for establishing period plan targets, coordinating execution cross-functionally, and quantifying performance results and implications to Driscoll’s and the Enterprise at large. As the leader of the Strawberry Execution Team, the Senior Strawberry Business Manager is responsible for identifying performance gaps, and leading corrective actions as necessary. The Senior Strawberry Business Manager also has strategic accountability, serving as a member of the core Strawberry Leadership Team, shaping long-term strategic opportunities to develop and improve the strawberry business.
- Leads and coordinates the Berry Execution Team, a principle profit and loss unit within the organization responsible for the following within the annual spectrum
- Managing the balance of supply and demand to optimize fruit value and align with Enterprise targets including Enterprise (Grower and Driscoll’s) P&L, Delight, and Customer Satisfaction
- Meeting or exceeding annual budgeted Fruit Revenue and Margin targets
- Representing category performance indicators to multiple stakeholder audiences, including performance implications
- Accountable for performance to the berry business plan, and for meeting annual Enterprise profit and growth targets
- Sets pricing, revenue and cost targets to optimize fruit value and Enterprise profitability
- Leads the execution of the period berry business plans throughout the year, coordinating with cross-functional team members by developing the execution strategy as well as managing significant risk and complexity
- Leads a cross-functional team using leadership principles of vision and purpose, change management, corrective actions, and performance improvement generally to develop the berry business
- Leads Berry Execution Team plans, taking into consideration berry business, organizational, and strategic priorities; leads decisions guided by resource availability, business objectives, and performance improvement objectives
- Identifies and leads resolution efforts related to complex enterprise-wide operational challenges and/or opportunities that have a broad impact on berry business improvement
- Develops thorough understanding of the key drivers in each regional deal including grower profitability, Driscoll’s profitability, industry pricing trends, pack size trends/transitions, product quality, preferred varieties, and competitive strengths and weaknesses
- Serves as the Driscoll’s knowledge expert for each regional deal
- Serves as an expert in the berry business, requiring in-depth and breadth of expertise related to Enterprise profitability, and customer, supply, and operational strategy
- Serves as a critical member of the Berry Leadership Team by understanding, quantifying, and communicating category dynamics that may impact long-term strategy; recommends strategic challenges and opportunities to Leadership
- Follow Company policies and practices while representing Driscoll’s in an ethical and business-like manner in all interactions with employees, governmental agencies, growers, customers, etc
- Ensure the security of Driscoll’s confidential and proprietary information and materials
- Perform other duties as assigned
- A bachelor’s degree in agribusiness or related field with a minimum of
- 8-10 years of relevant work experience in the areas of business management, produce sales/marketing, and/or agriculture production management.
- Must demonstrate ability to make competent decisions in a fast-paced environment showing initiative as both an independent and a team contributor.
- Proven ability to effectively lead cross-functional teams towards reaching common goals with broad financial and strategic implications.
- Ability to balance conflicting demands of customers and growers to fulfill Driscoll’s product and brand strategy.
- Ability to lead and participate in process improvement efforts in a dynamic and rapidly changing work environment.
- A successful candidate must have strong leadership skills, an adaptive and compelling communication style, and demonstrated business acumen with proficiency in business development and P&L accountability.
- Candidates must also demonstrate the ability to understand and analyze the business from many perspectives using multiple data sources internally and externally to make the best decision on behalf of the Enterprise.
- Must be comfortable using multiple data platforms including Microsoft DAx, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Huddle, and others as required.
- Bilingual English/Spanish is strongly preferred.
- Must be willing and able to travel up to 30%.
- Valid CA Driver’s License and eligibility for company vehicle insurance required.
- Eligibility for or valid US Passport also required.
