VP, Latin American Business Development

About Us

Seaboard Overseas and Trading Group (SOTG), a division of the Fortune 500 Seaboard Corporation, is a globally integrated leader in agricultural commodity trading, processing, and logistics. With milling facilities in 12 locations across 9 countries and 11 trading offices in 10 countries, we produce approximately two million metric tons of grain-based products annually.

Our vertically integrated approach-spanning procurement, transportation, and processing-ensures quality, consistency, and supply chain efficiency. We manage bulk freight and chartered vessels, overseeing logistics for both in-house and third-party customers. Every year, we source, transport, and market around 12 million metric tons of diverse commodities, supporting food security and economic growth in the regions we serve.

At SOTG, we are driven by innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. Our business model fosters an entrepreneurial mindset, empowering our teams to take ownership, find creative solutions, and drive impact.

General Purpose

The VP of Latin America Business Development is responsible for researching, analyzing and identifying business development opportunities within the Latin American and Caribbean region, representing the group's interests on affiliated company shareholder boards, and supporting senior management at affiliated businesses in the development and execution of both short- and long-term strategic plans. The position requires leading market research efforts and competitive environmental scans in support of executing long-term strategies that align with the company's strategic initiatives. Key responsibilities also include identifying potential partnerships and forming strategic joint ventures when appropriate.

Primary Key Tasks & Responsibilities

• Research, identify, and propose business development opportunities and projects within the Latin American and Caribbean region.
• Coordinate market research to identify emerging trends, analysis of competition and country-specific macroenvironmental factors to develop strategies which yield long term alignment with strategic initiatives.
• Identification of potential partnerships and establishment of strategic joint ventures when determined to be most appropriate.
• Assist the affiliate location General Managers and other key senior executives in the development, execution, and achievement of short- and long-term strategic business plans in line with division-wide expectations.
• Provide senior level support in any due diligence efforts for proposed acquisitions or mergers
• Ensure effective communication via management reporting from affiliate businesses
• Review and approve affiliate annual budgets and long-range financial plans.
• Monitor cost control and margin maximization efforts.
• Review recurring management reports and evaluate opportunities to improve standardization, streamlining data collection, breadth of information, and introduce best in class KPI tracking and benchmarking.
• Proactively communicate with key stakeholders and partners, board of directors, and government officials, as necessary. Ensuring active, informed, and communicative board presence on applicable affiliate boards of directors.
• Assist with the setting goals and review of the goals associated with an objective based personnel performance review system.
• Travel to affiliates, industrial operations, and meeting venues, as required.
• The responsibilities outlined in this job description are not a comprehensive list; additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time.

Education & Experience

• University degree in related field required. Advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years' experience working with industrial food manufacturing companies, either in a managerial or transaction advisory role.
• Understanding of agricultural commodity markets required.
• Experience with working in a commercial, industrial, or logistical operation in a developing country.
• Experience with food distribution and processing is preferred.
• Demonstrated strong leadership/decision making skills required.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with people at all levels required.
• Fluency in Spanish and English is required.

Working Environment/Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit and use hands to manipulate, handle or touch. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competencies Required