Role Summary

The Director of Strategy is a highly visible role that will play a pivotal role in defining, shaping, and activating Ardent Mills’ long-term strategic direction. Reporting to the VP of Corporate Development & Strategy, this leader will drive corporate and business segment strategy, facilitate business transformation initiatives, and act as a trusted thought partner to the executive team.

This role focuses on strategic planning, growth road mapping, performance transformation, and enterprise alignment. The leader will also selectively support M&A execution as needed but the emphasis of this position is on building and executing high-impact organic strategies that ensure long-term competitiveness.

Key Responsibilities will include:

Enterprise Strategy

• Lead long-term and annual strategic planning processes, including functional strategies and focus area deep dives (e.g., adjacencies, new geographies)
• Own the tracking, analysis, and reporting of progress against the ongoing 5-year strategy, ensuring visibility and accountability across the organization
• Serve as project leader for complex cross-functional initiatives, managing workplans and cross-functional teams from diagnosis to implementation
  • Conduct analysis and synthesize data to answer critical business questions; develop frameworks, insights, and recommendations
  • Develop business cases, success metrics, and performance tracking for key initiatives
• Analyze external trends, customer needs, and market dynamics to anticipate disruptions and identify growth opportunities
  • Translate complex data and insights into compelling narratives and strategic recommendations
• Deliver high-quality internal work products, including Board materials, key presentations, and executive scorecards

Strategic Planning and Performance Management

• Lead the annual operating planning cycle, aligning corporate goals with business unit objectives and investment priorities
• Establish clear metrics, milestones, and performance dashboards to track strategic progress and impact
• Partner with finance and other business functions to embed strategy into business reviews, investment decisions, and resource allocation

Growth and Transformation Initiatives

• Lead high-impact, cross-functional initiatives that enable innovation, operational transformation, or commercial acceleration
• Drive structured problem-solving efforts to unlock value, enhance competitiveness, or expand capabilities
• Support strategic partnerships, innovation pilots, and internal ventures aligned with Ardent Mills’ growth agenda

• Collaborate with Corporate Development on evaluating acquisition or partnership opportunities that support enterprise strategy
  • Contribute to strategic diligence, business case development, modeling and integration planning as needed

Executive Engagement and Communication

• Serve as a thought partner to the VP and senior leadership team on critical strategic questions
• Prepare board and executive-level materials that synthesize strategy insights and highlight enterprise performance
• Facilitate executive workshops and strategy offsites to ensure alignment and buy-in

• Foster a culture of analytical rigor, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred
• 10+ years of experience in management consulting and/or corporate strategy related roles with a demonstrated track record of increasing impact and responsibility
• Experience with food, CPG, or manufacturing sectors strongly preferred
• Proven track record of leading enterprise strategy efforts and delivering measurable business outcomes
• Experience with M&A execution activities preferred (eg. business case development, valuation and modeling, due diligence management and integration planning)
• Experience presenting to and influencing senior executives and cross-functional stakeholders

Skills and Competencies

• Strategic acumen: Ability to identify macro trends, distill insights, and formulate actionable strategies
• Enterprise thinking: Capable of connecting business-level insights to company-wide priorities
• Influence and alignment: Builds strong relationships across levels and functions to drive consensus and action
• Analytical rigor: Adept at using data, frameworks, and modeling to guide decisions
• Executive presence: Communicates complex ideas clearly and persuasively to senior leadership and other stakeholders
• Execution mindset: Balances strategic vision with a practical understanding of how to get things done. Ability and desire to roll up the sleeves when needed. Ability to operate in a fast-paced project-oriented environment
• Comfort with variable and unpredictable “projects driven” work schedule
• Technical skills: Strong PowerPoint and financial modeling skills are required

Ardent Mills is headquartered in Denver, CO.  This role will be hybrid in the Denver, Colorado area.  The successful candidate will be expected to commit to a periodic presence in the Denver HQ office, the frequency of which is open to discussion with the hiring manager.

At Ardent Mills, we're committed to making a positive impact on the world through our innovative products and sustainable practices. As a purpose-driven organization, we're not just focused on profit; we're also focused on making a difference. In addition to a competitive salary and benefits package, we offer a dynamic and collaborative work environment where you'll have the opportunity to make a real impact on the future of food. If you're looking for a purposeful place to work, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Location:

Denver CO

Address:

1875 Lawrence Street, Denver CO, 80202

Additional Locations (if applicable):

Employment Type:

Full time

Additional Information:

Competitive Compensation:

We provide market-driven base pay, based on skills, abilities, and level of experiences. Our salary ranges are broad, and individual salary will be market competitive based on a candidate’s unique set of skills and level of experience. The starting range for this position is $165000 - $200000, with additional earning potential possible commensurate with experience. Additionally, we believe that our team members are the reason for our success and all team members are incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and individual results achieved. While the specific bonus plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions, the targeted bonus plan and targeted percentage amount for this role is Bonus - MIP, 20% Annual.

Benefits:

At Ardent Mills we offer a wide range of benefits to our team members and their eligible family members. Some of our great benefit programs you may be eligible for include: • Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage• Health and Dependent Savings Accounts • Life and Disability Programs • Voluntary Benefit Programs • Company Sponsored Wellness Programs • Retirement Savings with Company Match • Team Member and Family Assistance Program (EAP) • Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays • Employee Recognition Program with Rewards (RAVE).

Application Deadline:

10/23/2025

10/23/2025

EEO Commitment:

At Ardent Mills, everyone matters and everyone has a voice. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and team members and the decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic protected by law or not. Together, celebrating our differences, we make Ardent Mills. The preceding position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this position. The description, duties, functions, and responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of Ardent Mills.

En Ardent Mills, todos importan y todos tienen voz. Estamos comprometidos a brindar un ambiente de respeto mutuo donde haya igualdad de oportunidades disponibles para todos los solicitantes y miembros del equipo y las decisiones se basarán en el mérito, la competencia, el desempeño y las necesidades comerciales. Estamos orgullosos de ser un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. No discriminamos por motivos de raza, color, religión, credo, origen nacional, ascendencia, estado civil, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad o expresión de género, discapacidad física o mental, embarazo, información genética, condición de veterano, edad, política. afiliación, o cualquier otra característica no meritoria protegida por ley o no. Juntos, celebrando nuestras diferencias, formamos Ardent Mills. La descripción del puesto anterior ha sido diseñada para indicar la naturaleza general y los deberes y responsabilidades esenciales del trabajo realizado por los empleados dentro de este puesto. Es posible que no contenga un inventario completo de todos los deberes, responsabilidades y calificaciones requeridas de los empleados en este puesto. La descripción, los deberes, las funciones y las responsabilidades están sujetos a cambios a discreción de Ardent Mills.

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