Director, Strategy

OverviewThe Director of Strategy is a highly visible role that will define, shape, and activate 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 selectively support M&A execution as needed, with emphasis on building and executing high-impact organic strategies for long-term competitiveness. Key Responsibilities 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 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 (e.g., 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: Identify macro trends, distill insights, and formulate actionable strategies Enterprise thinking: Connect business-level insights to company-wide priorities Influence and alignment: Build relationships across levels and functions to drive consensus and action Analytical rigor: Use data, frameworks, and modeling to guide decisions Executive presence: Communicate complex ideas clearly to senior leadership Execution mindset: Balance strategic vision with practical execution; willing to roll up sleeves in a fast-paced environment Comfort with variable, project-driven work schedules Technical skills: Strong PowerPoint and financial modeling skills Location and Role Details 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, with frequency open to discussion with the hiring manager. Compensation and Benefits Competitive base pay based on skills and experience. Starting range for this position is $165,000 - $200,000, with additional earning potential commensurate with experience. Eligible for a target bonus of 20% (Bonus - MIP) based on contribution, company performance, and individual results. Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision; Health Savings Accounts; Life and Disability; voluntary benefits; wellness programs; retirement with company match; EAP; PTO and holidays; and employee recognition programs. Additional Information Application Deadline: 10/23/2025 EEO Commitment: Ardent Mills is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion and do not discriminate on any protected characteristic. 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