John Jansen Email & Phone Number

Chesterfield, Mo, Us

Chesterfield, Mo, Us

Chesterfield, Mo, Us

Strategic leader responsible for providing vision and advancing soybean oil strategy and initiatives on behalf of U.S. Soybean growers. Focused on creating demand for both high oleic soybean oil and conventional soybean oil through partnering with channel members in existing markets, exploration of new markets and novel uses. Work collaboratively with executive team, contractors, Qualified State Soybean Boards and board members to ensure measurable progress toward USB long-range strategic plan.

Spearhead new business opportunities and business consolidation efforts across the edible oil portfolio.Coordinate with R&D and Marketing to align product strategy with market trends. Develop operational efficiencies, manage pricing and replace existing products as indicated to improve competitive position, create optimal value for customers and maximize product line profitability. Develop compelling messaging and appropriate tools to drive solutions for targeted food customers within distribution areas.Develop pricing strategy; coordinate margin goals across geographic regions. Coordinate with finance and operations to assure standard cost accuracy. Participate in strategy discussions relative to the RFP process. Develop and manage sales information systems and pricing tools.

Established Bunge as an industry innovator and solution provider—not just a commodity supplier—when competitors were slashing R&D budgets based on market conditions. Merged the sales and product development functions and built strategic partnerships leading to 45 patent applications and/or awards for differentiated products and innovative processing technologies.Linked Research, Technical Service, QA and Regulatory Compliance activities directly to prospects and customers in the new business development, food service, food processor and non-food channels. Identified next-generation products to be introduced into the marketplace within 5 years. Directed regulatory, quality and cost initiatives across 17 North American manufacturing plants to assure supplies of shortening and oil met customer needs at a competitive cost and service level. Addressed customer complaints through third-party process, department and facility audits.

Assumed a corporate role in the food and ingredients business. Held P&L accountability for more than 2.5 billion pounds of value-added product sold annually into the food service, bakery and food processor sales channels. Allocated resources and provided strategic leadership for the Sales Management, Marketing, R&D, Quality Assurance, Regulatory and Customer Service functions. Managed $8 million budget, 7 direct reports and an organization of 131 employees. Gathered and leveraged business intelligence to identify and develop new products and/or technologies to create competitive differentiation and perception of value. Established priorities, determined technical feasibility and managed the product development process from discovery through delivery. Transferred customer, product and market knowledge to internal and external business partners.

Drove attainment of sales volume and Gross Contribution Margin (GCM) plans for shortening and oils in the Eastern U.S. Analyzed business trends and competitive activity; developed strategies to penetrate accounts and grow market share with ingredient manufacturers. Oversaw 4 direct reports and 11 territory managers. Equipped Territory Managers with product knowledge, marketing tools and strategic leadership required to help distributor sales teams maximize direct sales opportunities. Assured attainment of DSO goals. Oversaw initiation of a 30-distributor network generating up to $100 million in annual sales.  Played a pivotal role in personnel recruitment, hiring, training and development.  Built future bench strength by developing subordinates for national account, area management and product management roles.

Marketed soybean oil, corn oil and lard tallow to major accounts in specialty markets, including ConAgra, General Mills, Kellogg’s, Kraft and Sara Lee. Developed proposals and negotiated contracts. Prepared annual account plans and sales projections for complex accounts requiring ongoing technical/product development and advertising support. Managed $75 million in annual sales volume.