Lead Analyst, Agricultural Economics - Land O'Lakes Inc.

This position can be remote/virtual.

Job Overview:

The Lead Analyst Agricultural Economics will lead efforts in partnership with the Executive Leadership team to deliver actionable insights for market, industry, and competitive intelligence. This candidate will require an in-depth understanding of the agricultural industry and the macroeconomy, as well as quantitative capabilities. With a strong background in agricultural market analysis, research methodologies, and scenario planning, this role is central to shaping strategic decisions within the organization. The candidate will be responsible for conducting in-depth research, managing complex projects, and presenting forecasts that support long-term planning and decision-making pertaining to global trends, market developments, and future scenarios.

Key Responsibilities:

Competitive insights & Scenario Planning

• Deliver analysis of public peers, partners, and competitors to Business Unit leadership teams.
• Follow quarterly conference calls and ad-hoc intel for roughly 10 companies. Send quick turnaround highlights of market intel and interpretation when it becomes available.
• Utilize foresight techniques, including scenario planning, trend forecasting, and econometric modeling, to develop long-term strategies. Anticipate future trends and provide actionable insights to guide business decisions.

• Direct Market Intel support to Corporate Strategy Team, Executive Leadership Team, and Business Unit Leaders.
• Analyze numerous sources of data and market intelligence to develop nuanced messages about industry shifts. Use excel and data visualization tools to provide clear, data-driven insights.
• Respond to requests for industry intelligence to support decision making and strategy development. Much of this work will be for the CEO, COO, and division leaders for WinField, Animal Nutrition, and Truterra.
• Requests are often detailed, time-sensitive, and require experience navigating dozens of sources of data/information.

Macroeconomic Research

• Follow and report on significant changes in economic data and monetary policy, and interpret how it will impact Land O'Lakes and its industries.
• Lead comprehensive research efforts on agricultural and macroeconomic trends, market intelligence, and industry developments. Provide in-depth analysis to identify emerging risks and opportunities.
• It is important that the candidate has a solid understanding of the US and global economies, a familiarity with key data, and ability to interpret key data when it is released.

Data/Visual Platform Building

• Work with tech and data teams in Business Units (BUs) to develop and update data platforms that will be used for auto-updated intelligence and predictive insights.
• Early efforts will be in close collaboration with WinField United to extend from that team's data library

Additional Responsibilities:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with senior leadership, cross-functional teams, and external stakeholders to communicate insights and strategic recommendations. Present research findings to Executive Leadership Team.
• Project Management: Manage multiple complex research projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of insights. Define project scopes, research methodologies, and performance metrics.
• Thought Leadership: Stay current on agricultural and economic issues, policy changes, and technological advancements. Be the eyes and ears for senior leadership, discern value from distraction, and deliver timely insights.
• Collaboration & Networking: Build industry relationships to gather a wide range of perspectives and data.

Required Qualifications:

• Education:
• Master's degree or higher in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, or related field.
• Experience:
• 7 or more years of experience in agricultural and economic research, global market analysis, or a related field
• Proven track record of delivering impactful insights and leading research projects.

Skills:

• Expertise in economic, financial, and data analysis.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex data.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience presenting to senior stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint); virtual collaboration tools (Teams, Zoom); and CRM software to access and utilize internal reports (e.g. Power BI)
• Ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong project management abilities

Essential Functions/Work Environment:

10% or more travel (daily, extended hours and some overnight stays) if Virtual, often to Arden Hills, MN.

Hiring salary is negotiable based on experience: $102,480 - $153,720

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

Benefits for most full-time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k and a variety of well-being resources. Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Neither Land O'Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.