Finance Director, Cocoa Value Chain North America

Job Description

For North America, we are looking for an experienced commodity finance professional to deliver immediate impact for the market leader in Cocoa and Chocolate. The complex market environment (supply deficit, higher price volatility, short-term demand destruction, product mix changes, new regulations, …) requires a thorough review of the End-to-End (E2E) value chain of Barry Callebaut, i.e. across business units and functions. As Costing, Pricing and Cocoa price risk management are cornerstones of the profitability of Barry Callebaut, the incumbent will design, document and support the implementation of key process steps to adapt to the new normal. Due to the importance of the role, the Finance Director, Cocoa Value Chain North America will have a dotted line to the Regional CFO and be part of the local Finance leadership team.

Together, we strive to create value and impact with what we do, working always in a cross-functional environment. While we are part of the Global Cocoa organization, our scope encompasses all aspects from cocoa sourcing, cocoa processing to cocoa contracting and price risk management in Chocolate. We partner with the commercial and functional business leaders in building and retaining cocoa expertise. Therefore, the incumbent will be well prepared for future leadership roles in Cocoa and Chocolate Finance.

To succeed and achieve our mission, we need people with strong expertise of the key value drivers in the cocoa and chocolate value chain (or similar commodity). There will not only be the complexity of the E2E value chain, but also ambiguity i.e. you will be working within an environment characterized by inherent uncertainty and a lack of clear-cut information. This requires the ability to make decisions and drive progress even when faced with incomplete data, shifting priorities, or unclear objectives. It requires a high degree of adaptability, resourcefulness, and a willingness to navigate uncharted territory with confidence and a problem-solving mindset. To operate in such an environment, you must be comfortable with continuous learning and iterative approaches, recognizing that initial assumptions may need to be revised as new information emerges or the cocoa market changes. Additionally, it requires strong communication skills to articulate evolving situations and potential pathways forward to stakeholders, fostering understanding and collaboration despite the absence of definitive answers. In short, you must be willing to embrace and drive change to part of this exclusive team. 

Responsibilities & Scope

• Phase 1 - Review

• Review and document existing processes around contracting and cocoa price risk management, as well as the link with the financial closing (“Clarity”)

• Conduct reviews of specific areas (assignments / projects) i.e. 

• Collect, examine, analyze, and verify information about processes, systems and controls by interviewing employees, reviewing system data, manuals, policies, reports, etc.. 

• Identify potential shortcoming and areas of improvements

• Develop recommendations for changes to processes and systems that will adequately manage risks, improve performance and productivity and ensure that BC can achieve its objectives. Effectively communicate and present those recommendations to appropriate stakeholders and seek agreement on those

• Prepare reports that accurately document the processes, findings and recommendations

• When assignment lead, plan and lead the team so that objectives are met and the assignment is concluded on time 

• Phase 2 - Fix & build

• Drive forward corrective action implementation from previous findings by Group Internal Audit, project ‘Insight’ or phase I. This might be as simple as coordinating and following up (including reviewing supporting documentation that the improvements are sustainable) or in some cases, active support to improve processes 

• If not existing yet, design key controls along the process

• Phase 3 - Sustain & monitor

• Leverage insights from phase I and II globally i.e. share across regions 

• Monitor sustainable resolution of previously identified shortcomings

• Potentially ad-hoc review (audits) 

• Phase 4 - Level up

• Support implementation of structural improvements (project insight, managerial P&L vs. accounting P&L, …)

• Phase 5 - Continuous improvement

• Overarching/continuously

• Become a subject matter expert within the team for allocated (sub-) processes

• Support assignment and resource planning process

• Promote and perform best practice sharing

• Support training and upskilling of jobholders by functional experts

• Collect and share ideas for continuous improvement

Key Focus areas / subject matter expert / allocated processes 

While the various team members will have an evolving focus based on the phases (as described above), in this position, the key focus is on Finance North America related areas. 

As a member of the ‘Cocoa Process Center of Expertise (CoE) and Audit’ team, you will support the functional leaders in building and retaining cocoa expertise. Furthermore, you will supervise the adherence to key controls. When and where needed, this might include providing risk-based, independent and objective assurance, advice and insights. 

Scope: 

• Geographical scope: North America 
• Functional:

• Finance (FBP, FP&A, Accounting, Treasury, Tax) 

• Pricing

• Risk management (Middle & Back Office)

• Sourcing & Trading (Front Office)

• CSD (Supply Chain, Production, …)

• Business segments: 

• Cocoa Sourcing & Trading

• Cocoa Processing

• Chocolate

Education, Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required, Masters preferred
• Proven leadership skills
• Strong stakeholder management 
• Very strong analytical skills and ability to model and visualize complex topics
• Ability to condense insights in stakeholder relevant key messages
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal)

• Exposure to commodity or soft-commodity industry is a must-have
• Very good understanding of the key value drivers and position elements of the cocoa and chocolate industry
• Trading experience is an asset
• Strong finance knowledge
• Project management experience is a plus
• Proficiency in English (oral and written), any additional language are advantageous (in particular French or Spanish)

What can you expect from Barry Callebaut

•    Salary Range of $145,000 - $190,000, depending on factors such as experience and location, plus annual bonus and our comprehensive benefits package
•    Paid time off, plus generous holiday time
•    Environment that welcomes workplace flexibility 
•    An atmosphere where diversity is embraced, and inclusivity is second nature. We call it #OneBC! Just ask our champions with the Americas Women’s Forum and the Racial Equality Forum!
•    Ability to grow personally and professionally within an organization that values development and  internal career growth

Be part of our mission in making sustainability the norm through Forever Chocolate with priorities  centered around prospering farmers, zero child labor, carbon and forest positive, and creating 100%  sustainable ingredients in all of our products.