Associate Director Commodity Risk Management & Category Leader

Ruiz Foods has been family owned since 1964, is one of the largest Hispanic-owned companies in the country and is the proud maker of two #1 brands: El Monterey frozen Mexican food and Tornados roller grill taquitos in grocery stores and convenience stores across the US and Canada.

Are you looking for career development opportunities in an exciting company that cares about its team members and consumers alike? Come join our team and help us continue our industry-leading track record of growth, quality, and delicious food! 

The Associate Director - Commodity Risk Management (CRM) and Category Leader – Commodities manages all aspects of spend related to beef, soybean oil, flour, pork, chicken, cheese, eggs, and energy (i.e., commodities).  The individual manages one Team Member and works closely with suppliers, Commercial, Planning, Legal, Regulatory, Transportation, Warehousing, Quality and Operations to ensure that commodity materials are available to support manufacturing operations.  As the company’s subject matter expert on CRM, this individual analyzes supply markets, develops risk management strategies, and builds consensus on execution plans with Finance and Commercial stakeholders.  This role works closely with Finance to report on the financial impact of risk management actions.    

This position reports to the Senior Director of Procurement.        

COMPENSATION: $150-175K/year DOE

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Manage enterprise commodity spend across four manufacturing plants in the United States. Raw material SKU count is greater than 100 items.
• Lives the company’s mission, vision, and values while meeting the responsibilities of the position.

• Risk Management: 

• Analyze supply markets, assess physical and financial risk to company, and forecast prices of commodities using fundamental and technical analysis.
• Collaborate with Finance and Commercial stakeholders to set Annual Business Plans for commodities.  
• Prepare and present detailed reports to senior leadership of commodity markets and their risks. Recommend comprehensive risk management strategies to mitigate market risks and achieve Annual Business Plans.  Drive consensus on risk management strategy and execute strategy.  
• Continually assess markets and risk strategies in order to minimize risk to company. Propose adjustments to strategy and execution plan as warranted.   
• Monitor and report on all hedging activities, ensuring compliance with company policies and industry regulations. Periodically report out on CRM activities to the internal Commodity Risk Management Committee

• Supply Management:

• Develops and maintains category strategies for each commodity area ensuring that the company is well positioned in supply markets with the right suppliers. Maintains robust plans to protect company from physical supply risk.  Conducts sourcing events and contracts with suppliers.  Develops and maintains price change mechanisms.
• Collaborates with R&D to identify new sources of supply and manage material specifications.       
• Manages one team member responsible for all operational aspects of commodity Procurement including order placement, delivery management, and inventory management.
• Works with Quality to address supplier quality concerns.

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Minimum of 10 years experience in a consumer goods company, ideally food or beverage.
• Minimum of 10 years experience in risk management or commodity trading roles.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Supply Chain or other business-related field. Master’s degree preferred.  Professional certifications ideal.     
• Deep expertise in financial risk management techniques including forward fixed contracts, futures, options, and swaps.
• Well versed in beef, wheat, dairy, pork, chicken, and energy supply markets and suppliers.
• Strong analytical skills and financial acumen.
• Problem solver with results orientation. Strong attention to detail.
• Solid written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to balance multiple priorities.
• Initiative-taker. Challenges the status quo. Confident identifying improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated expertise using Microsoft Office and market monitoring tools.
• Able to travel domestically up to 20%

Salary : $150,000 - $175,000