JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for managing overall blueberry business performance in North America by deal, particularly in the areas of pricing, demand/supply balancing, and returns.
Establishes pricing projections and adjusts pricing as necessary to optimize returns and balance supply/demand, taking into consideration overall market conditions, industry pricing, industry supply, grower economics, historical information, and budget.
Communicates and plans effectively and collaboratively with Sales, Product Planning, Production Managers and Growers to ensure fruit supplies are effectively managed and sold in a manner that provides optimal service to our customers while generating above average returns.
Manages all North America blueberry deals including Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, New Jersey, Michigan, California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.

The N. America Product Business Manager works closely with the Business Director, his/her S. American counterpart APBM, and the Business Analyst to help shape short to long term strategy. In addition, during the N. America off-season, this position will be responsible for assisting the S. America APBM with day-to-day business activities including sales presentations and weekly demand/supply planning.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• A successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness or related field plus 8-10 years of relevant work experience in the areas of agriculture business, produce sales/marketing, and/or agriculture production management.
• He/she 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 manage cross-functional teams without formal authority.
• Ability to balance conflicting demands of customers and growers to build continuity of supply with Growers, and build confidence in our ability to supply our Customers from all core North American growing regions.
• The candidate must have strong analytical skills, strong presentation skills, and demonstrated business acumen with proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook.
• Ability to understand and analyze the business from many perspectives using multiple data sources internally and externally.
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
• Must be willing and able to travel up to 20%.
• Valid CA Driver’s License and eligibility for company vehicle insurance required.
• Eligibility for or valid US Passport also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops thorough understanding of the key drivers in each regional deal including grower economics, industry pricing trends, pack size trends/transitions, preferred varieties, and competitive strengths and weaknesses. Serves as the Driscoll’s knowledge expert for each regional deal.
• Leads daily communication to Sales team, including pricing and order adjustments and product availability, to optimize customer service, optimize returns, and balance supply with demand
• Conducts daily research and analysis of market conditions in order to establish both short and long term pricing projections
• Develops accurate weekly market reports that reflect market conditions and Driscoll’s current and projected price performance
• Weekly preparation of rolling 10-Wk SKU forecast by region, utilizing historical and current demand plan information
• Leads weekly sales huddle meetings and development of demand planning analysis to ensure each region has an appropriate level of demand relative to available supply. Adjusts pricing and communication as needed to balance weekly supply with demand.
• Leads weekly grower meetings for assigned deals and communicates daily with growers to keep them informed of market conditions and build their confidence in Driscoll’s sales plan
• Develops and presents bi-weekly sales plan reflecting 10-wk supply and pricing projection
• Partners with Production Planning to develop/adjust daily pack plans for all growing areas
• Handles prorates, Resolves Sales & Customer Issues including: shorts, pack size availability, quality complaints, through effective communication with Sales, Region Managers, and Product Planning
• Manages the accuracy and distribution of reports for stakeholder audiences including the Daily Price Sheet, Average Sales Price projection, daily Market News reporting and the Daily Pick Sheet.

APPLICATIONS

Please apply online: http://www.driscolls.com/about/job-postings.php