Senior Procurement Manager - Durum Wheat & Semolina

Mar 18, 2025

Senior Procurement Manager - Durum Wheat & Semolina

About Barilla

At Barilla, we believe that every great journey begins with passion and a bold vision. From our humble beginnings in 1877 in a small shop in Parma, Italy, we’ve blossomed into a global leader in the food industry, guided by our commitment to progress and excellence.

Today, Barilla is an international group present in more than 100 countries and we are proud to be recognized as the world’s top food company by reputation. With 20 beloved brands in our portfolio, we are world leader for pasta, the number one choice for ready-made sauces in Europe, leader for bakery products in Italy, and for crispbread across Scandinavia with Wasa.

Our success story is written by a passionate team of 9,000 dedicated employees across 30 plants and offices worldwide, all united by a shared mission to nourish the future with purpose and passion.

Are you ready to add your unique flavor to our journey?

Job Description

Barilla America, Inc. wants to recruit a Senior Procurement Manager - Durum Wheat & Semolina for the Americas Supply Chain team. The individual will report to the Purchasing Director - Americas.

This is a hybrid role based out of one of our U.S. locations in Northbrook, IL, Ames, IA, and Avon, NY.

Job Purpose

Responsible for Durum Wheat & Semolina purchasing in the US and Canada and selling/contracting all by-products in the US and Canada. The Senior Procurement Manager - Durum Wheat & Semolina must understand local and international cereals and durum wheat markets, including how those markets react and pertain to durum wheat prices, ensuring quality, and food safety.

Key Accountabilities

• Assess and apply continuous market analysis for North America on durum and soft wheat, semolina, and flour market by evaluating supply & demand, export/import, stock-to-use ratio, regulations, weather, and trends/forecast.
• Propose and establish short-term and long-term Durum Wheat & Semolina procurement strategies, based on the relevant market factors. Once strategies are determined in conjunction with the Global Durum purchasing team execute the strategic plan. (e.g. buy or make the definition, durum wheat grade/ types to get best semolina prices, contracts time and length, supplier base definition. Additionally, supports the global Durum Wheat purchasing strategy.
• Manage, and negotiate Durum Wheat purchasing contracts that include total cost analysis (price, quality, service, freight). Ensure all purchased Durum Wheat meets the set-out quality standards agreed upon in the contract. Screen potential new Durum Wheat and Semolina suppliers.
• Assess, negotiate, contract, and manage the relationship with rail companies for the transport of wheat, semolina, and byproducts.
• Assess, negotiate, contract, and manage the relation with byproducts customers.
• Support the plants and mill operations team, through the best semolina cost definition (Durum Wheat varieties, Wheat mix, yields, etc.) and with proper supplier management to achieve the best service and quality. Manage quality issues and delivery issues with suppliers.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives and cost savings projects
• Establish Durum Wheat market benchmark through associations, millers, and competitors to provide local and global market intelligence.
• Contribute to the annual budget and planning assumption for the global Durum & Semolina group purchasing team, through EU market analysis and assumptions proposals. Ensure monthly analysis over budget rolling, with forecast review and variance analysis. Build a budget proposal for each year based on supply/demand and market information.
• Support and develop Supplier Diversity programs with grain producer
• Scout, assess and implement all sustainability projects in cooperation with internal colleagues and external stakeholders
  
  

Desired Skills And Background

• Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Agronomy, Science and Technology of Foods, or similar
• 6 years experience in purchasing/selling physical agricultural commodities
• Advanced Excel skills as well as other Microsoft Office applications
• Can-do attitude, strong focus on results with a strategic approach, and the continued desire to learn
• Positive approach towards people and problems
• Job requires a minimum travel time of 30% - domestic and international
• English proficiency
  
  

As of the date of this posting, the estimated pay range for this role is $120,000 - $150,000, plus eligibility to participate in the annual discretionary bonus plan. The actual pay for the position will be determined by various factors, including but not limited to job-related experience, skills, education, location, and internal equity. This range may be subject to change over time.

Barilla strives to provide you and your family with a wide range of benefit options to support your overall health and financial well-being needs. This position qualifies for benefits that include medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, a 401(K) plan with company match, life and disability plans, and an employee assistance program.

At Barilla, we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where diversity in all its forms is valued and embraced. Our employment policies and practices are designed to ensure equal employment opportunities for all, regardless of age, race, color, citizenship, faith, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or characteristics of expression, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, medical condition, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our commitment to equal employment stems from our unwavering belief that it is not only the right thing to do, but it is also a fundamental driver of innovation and business success.

Purchasing

United States

Northbrook, IL

Permanent