Commodity Manager

Commodity Manager

Position: Commodity Specialties Manager

Department: AgOps

Reports To: VP of Agriculture

Salary Type: Exempt

Location: Salinas, CA

Compensation: $115,200-$144,200

Make a greater impact at Bonduelle Americas!

Bonduelle Americas is a certified B Corp inviting people to embrace a flexitarian lifestyle with an expanding portfolio of plant-rich products available in and beyond the produce aisle. We operate four facilities and employ nearly 3,000 Associates in the US.

Bonduelle Americas is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Groupe Bonduelle (BON.PA), an established global brand with more than 170 years of family heritage bringing the joy of plants to tables around the world. Globally, our ready-to-eat plant-rich food products are grown on 173,000 acres by our grower partners and marketed in nearly 100 countries. Our mission is to inspire the transition toward a plant-rich diet to contribute to people's well-being and planet health.

Join us at Bonduelle Americas for an opportunity to advance your career in a culture that places people first. As a valued member of our company, you will work in a mission-driven environment aimed at preserving the planet's resources while providing healthy plant-based products to millions of consumers around the world.

Position Summary:

The Commodity & Sales Manager is responsible for managing both existing and new business development within an assigned customer base while executing commodity management strategies that support profitability, customer satisfaction, and long-term growth.

This role requires deep knowledge of the produce industry; strong analytical, communication, and relationship building skills; and the ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment with daily cross-departmental coordination.

Key Responsibilities

• Sell and service assigned customer accounts and regions, generating orders and participating in active phone traffic with accuracy, attention to detail, and a positive, professional demeanor.

• Develop, execute, and maintain sales strategies for designated accounts across all commodities, grades, and sizes.

• Drive both short and long-term results using best in class sales practices, performance metrics, and continuous improvement methods to maximize profitability.

• Gain incremental sales and revenue by expanding business with existing customers and identifying new account opportunities.

• Maintain accurate and timely customer information within CRM systems.

• Address customer complaints, claims, arrival issues, and accounts receivable matters by following internal procedures and PACA guidelines.

• Collaborate with customers, internal teams, and accounting to resolve deductions and enforce payment terms.

• Attend customer meetings, trade shows, field visits, and industry events as required to support sales initiatives and strengthen relationships.

• Manage assigned commodities by coordinating with sales, field harvest, production, logistics, and inventory teams to ensure proper product execution and service levels.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of market trends, pricing, supply conditions, competitive activity, and customer expectations.

• Ensure compliance with company pricing models and program requirements.

• Track and analyze market data and trends to guide tactical decisions, account reviews, demand forecasts, and product strategies for existing and new items.

• Review daily/weekly production reports and maintain appropriate inventory levels while controlling product age and quality.

• Develop and manage analytical tools, reports, and forecasting methods that support product management and sales optimization.

• Ensure compliance with all food safety, security, and regulatory requirements across all growers, partners, and supply chain functions.

• Provide daily communication and coordination among field operations, harvest, production, logistics, and inventory departments.

• Work collaboratively with cross-functional partners to support company initiatives, product launches, or operational improvements.

• Fulfill customer orders by collaborating with crop managers on weekly field product availability to ensure accurate supply planning.

• Create and enter customer orders in the ERP system by commodity, applying the appropriate pricing in alignment with company pricing models.

• Continuously monitor open items and proactively sell excess or at risk supply to existing customers or the broader market to optimize inventory and reduce finished goods waste.

• Manage assigned projects and contribute to strategy development as needed.

• Support, assist, and cross-train with other internal functions to ensure team continuity and performance.

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of experience in sales, commodity management, or produce industry account management.

• Strong working knowledge of PACA rules, USDA and CFIA protocols, and produce industry regulations.

• Demonstrated ability to develop, grow, and manage key customer accounts.

• Excellent negotiation skills and proficiency in both phone based and in person sales interactions.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate data, identify trends, and support data-driven decision-making.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint); advanced Excel a plus.

• Functional experience with ERP and EDI platforms (e.g., Famous Software, iTrade).

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple time-sensitive tasks.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across all organizational levels.

• Ability to adapt quickly, remain flexible, and perform effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

• Self-motivated, dependable, team-oriented, and committed to a high work ethic.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position is based on-site in an office environment within an active produce sales and operations setting. The role requires extensive use of computers, telephones, and web-based systems while handling high-volume orders and time-sensitive customer requests.

• Occasional travel may be required for:
• Field tours to observe commodity production.
• Trade shows or customer meetings.
• Company meetings or training sessions.

Field tours may involve exposure to outdoor environmental conditions including heat, cold, uneven terrain, and dust. Appropriate safety protocols and PPE must be adhered to. Work hours may vary depending on business needs, including early mornings, extended hours, and occasional weekends during peak seasons.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.