International Business Development Director

International Business Development Director

req40648

Employment Type : Regular

Location : ETOBICOKE, ON

As part of the largest baking company in the world, Bimbo Canada is a leading producer and distributor of packaged fresh bread, bakery products, and snacks.

We produce and distribute more than 1,000 products across 18 brands Canadians know and trust, like Dempster's, Villaggio, POM, Bon Matin, Stonemill, Natural Bakery, Takis, Thomas', Little Bites, Vachon, Hostess, and more.

In business for more than 110 years, the company operates 16 bakeries and employs approximately 4,000 associates across Canada.

Bimbo Canada pursues our goal of creating value by being at the forefront of manufacturing and service delivery innovation in the baking industry through the continued improvement and refinement of its supply chain network while serving major grocery chains, retail outlets, and foodservice operations across Canada.

POSITION SUMMARY :

In this newly created position, the Director, International Business Development will be intimately aware of customer and consumer needs and trends, will build plans and strategies to import what Canadian customers want to buy and what Canadian consumers want to eat, and will identify opportunities for Canadian-made products to satisfy similar needs internationally.

As a result, the primary focus of this position is threefold :

• Identify, evaluate and secure the import into Canada of existing Grupo Bimbo (GB) products from around the world that align with Bimbo Canada's growth strategy;
• Identify, evaluate and actively market the export of Bimbo Canada products to other GB business units;
• Collaborate with co-manufacturers to replicate existing products or develop new ones as required.

Strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, ensuring compliance with trade regulations and quality standards, optimizing import / export processes to get products to market as quickly as possible, and enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of our overall supply and demand chain are all key responsibilities.

Regular travel both domestically and internationally will be required in this role.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Cultivate strategic relationships with global colleagues in order to develop and implement business opportunities with other countries that align with the company's business objectives, whether sourced from within GB or with third parties;
• Analyze market trends, industry developments, competitive landscape, international trade regulations, and economic factors to inform strategic decisions;
• Manage the transition of products imported from international GB business units and co-manufacturers AND the export of made by Bimbo Canada products to international GB business units that contribute profitable growth;
• Develop a solid understanding of customer and consumer needs as well as internal manufacturing capabilities (domestic and international) to aid in the assessment and formulation of the make vs buy decision;
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, procurement, supply chain, and R&D, to identify product gaps and explore new opportunities for expansion of co-manufacturing partnerships that fit with consumer / customer needs, current portfolio strategy, and our distribution system;
• Negotiate contracts, structure supply agreements, and pricing;
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with international sourcing, including geopolitical, economic, and operational risks;
• Develop and execute long-term strategies and sourcing plans for both import / export operations and co-manufacturing that align with the company's overall goals;
• Collaborate with senior leadership to support strategic initiatives and growth plans.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION :

• University degree ideally in Business Administration, Commerce or a related field;
• Minimum of 5-7 years of commercial and / or supply chain experience or business experience of equivalent value;
• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills;
• A team player capable of balancing the need for patience and tenacity collaborating across levels, functions, business units, and cultures;
• A highly energetic and organized individual with an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit who thrives on executing with excellence;
• Experience in both project management and proactive business development, leveraging Agile methodologies to generate results quickly;
• Experience or knowledge of the North American food market, particularly in the bakery and snacking categories;
• Proven leadership and change management experience;
• Strong negotiation skills;
• Proficiency with a second language (French, Spanish, Arabic) would be a meaningful asset to accelerate growth.

Please note all offers of employment at Bimbo Canada are conditional on the successful completion of appropriate background checks (including but not limited to criminal history, reference, credit and / or physical demands checks) as appropriate for the role and as permitted by law.

Bimbo Canada is an equal opportunity employer that is dedicated to building a diverse workplace that promotes diversity, equity, and belonging in the workplace, and encourages applications from qualified people of all genders, visible minorities, aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities.

We welcome applications from all interested individuals; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job seekers with disabilities who require accommodation during the recruitment process, or would like more details about accessibility, should contact Bimbo Canada Accessibility at CB [email protected].

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