Full-Time

Director – Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis

Posted on 6/27/2026

Deadline 8/24/26
Ardent Mills

Ardent Mills

1,001-5,000 employees

Flour milling and plant-based ingredient supplier

Compensation Overview

$132.7k - $180k/yr

+ 20% annual target bonus

Denver, CO, USA

In Person

Bachelor's

Category
Accounting (1)
Required Skills
Data Visualization
Forecasting
Machine Learning
Financial analysis
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Financial Modeling

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Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, FP&A, or a related field.
  • At least 10 years of general management or FP&A experience.
  • Knowledge of FP&A leading practices and experience designing and implementing them in a complex environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence at senior levels of the organization.
  • Ability to serve as a proactive catalyst for change.
  • Intellectual curiosity and a continuous learning mindset.
  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously and independently.
  • Strong execution abilities and a history of delivered results.
  • Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship management skills.
  • Strong functional skills in financial analysis, financial planning, and management reporting.
  • Willingness and availability to advance one's learning and skill set through formal and informal means.
Responsibilities
  • Define and drive the vision, design, and execution of core FP&A processes, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting, across the enterprise.
  • Standardize and improve enterprise FP&A processes to align with business strategy, reduce FP&A cycle time, and increase insights for decision makers.
  • Collaborate with Finance and FP&A leaders to develop and enforce planning, forecasting, and reporting standards across the organization.
  • Perform hands-on, day-to-day tasks alongside direct reports, provide guidance, set strategy, and drive team performance and customer service as a player-coach.
  • Develop and monitor key performance indicators to drive accountability and measure the effectiveness of the FP&A function across functions and business units.
  • Partner with FP&A teams, business unit leaders, and functional leaders to deliver consistent, high-quality, and insightful financial analysis and provide strategic guidance during financial planning cycles.
  • Guide the use of leading practices to improve FP&A process efficiency and effectiveness, including planning and forecast drivers, level of detail, integrated calendar events and cadences, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and modern financial planning technology.
  • Serve as a key point of contact for FP&A process, technology, and change-management performance and continuous-improvement opportunities.
  • Drive the financial performance of corporate functions, non-US entities, and corporate-wide capabilities; anticipate and identify functional and business needs, communicate requests into the FP&A organization, and collaborate on improvement opportunities.
  • Liaise with corporate-function leadership to identify and prioritize inbound requests and coordinate resources to drive work to completion.
  • Partner with business leadership to translate business and customer needs into supporting resources on the team.
  • Lead and direct the work of resources serving one or more functions or business units, ensuring focus on the highest priorities and most material impacts.
  • Identify current and future business-partner needs and incorporate them into the team's workload.
  • Improve the financial literacy of partners and their teams by coaching them on financial implications of operational choices and aligning business and financial assumptions with outcomes.
  • Partner with the senior leadership team to identify and drive required corporate and functional projects and initiatives, and communicate with stakeholders on behalf of the business unit or function.
  • Conduct cost-benefit and capitalization analyses of enterprise and corporate initiatives, and develop and manage reviews of capital request forms and business cases.
  • Evaluate current and projected performance of investments, capital projects, and other initiatives against their assumptions.
  • Conduct program and portfolio reviews, evaluating performance, funding status, and alignment with long-term goals.
  • Maintain the capital project pipeline and track in-flight projects, progress, planned projects, and future prioritized projects.
  • Complete the Annual Capital Study and develop materials for the Capital Committee.
  • Champion modern business-intelligence tools, automation, and artificial intelligence for efficient and effective management reporting and analysis.
  • Construct and review the strategic plan, incorporating senior leadership team inputs and financial modeling of defined scenarios to facilitate decisions, functional and business-unit alignment, and target setting.
  • Lead functional and other unit leaders in setting and distributing annual performance targets aligned with enterprise goals and objectives.
  • Partner with business partners to identify business drivers and what-if scenarios for planning and forecast models, including integrated financial-statement views and the impacts of mergers and acquisitions or structural changes.
  • Partner with functions, operations, and commercial business units to prepare and determine goals, strategies, and tactical action plans aligned with enterprise performance objectives, including cost maintenance or reduction and continuous improvement.
  • Develop and communicate budget and forecast guidelines, aligning expectations across business units and entities to a standard calendar, global assumptions, and common templates.
  • Consolidate income-statement or management profit-and-loss, balance-sheet, and cash-flow plans and forecasts submitted by business units and functions.
  • Consolidate workforce plans and forecasts, integrating headcount and compensation data into the budget.
  • Support the annual operating plan and long-range planning process, coordinating across FP&A teams and functional departments to align financial goals with corporate strategy.
  • Lead post-mortem reviews of budgeting and forecasting processes and identify improvement opportunities for future cycles.
  • Maintain and publish an annual operating plan scorecard with key metrics for monthly tracking and communication of business health.
  • Standardize and govern forward-looking strategy, budget, forecast, and variance reports and dashboards, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment with enterprise reporting standards.
  • Define standard FP&A reports and dashboards for shared events in the performance-management cycle, such as monthly business reviews.
  • Develop advanced financial models for business cases, capital investments, and long-term organizational growth strategies.
  • Prepare board-level materials and financial presentations, translating complex data into actionable insights for the Chief Financial Officer and senior leadership team.
Desired Qualifications
  • Serving in a Director-level role in FP&A, Finance, or a business capacity.
  • Experience in multiple core accounting or financial functions or services and working with multiple corporate functions and business units in leadership roles.
  • Proven project management experience with a business perspective.

Ardent Mills operates a network of over 35 flour mills and mixing facilities to supply flours and whole grains to food manufacturers and bakeries. The company processes raw grains into specialized ingredients and multi-use flours that serve as the foundation for various plant-based food products. Unlike traditional suppliers, it integrates expertise in agriculture, food technology, and milling to provide a comprehensive partnership for businesses of all sizes. Its goal is to transform global nourishment by developing sustainable plant-based solutions and reliable supply chains across North America.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Denver, Colorado

Founded

2014

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • CHS's July 2026 story shows about 300 million bushels flowing through Ardent Mills annually.
  • Commerce City expansion targets end-2026 completion, increasing Mountain West capacity.
  • Stone Mill acquisition strengthens organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free ingredient offerings.

What critics are saying

  • Conagra expects 2027 adjusted equity earnings near $140 million after 2026's 21% decline.
  • The November 2025 closure of Omaha, York, and Steptoe cut capacity and pulse exposure.
  • NLRB case 18-CA-391979 in Hastings alleges bargaining and recognition violations, risking labor disruption.

What makes Ardent Mills unique

  • Ardent Mills controls North America's largest wheat-milling network, spanning 35-plus facilities.
  • Its trading and risk-management team under Erik Wibholm stabilizes customer supply and pricing.
  • Denver Innovation Center and Emerging Nutrition add specialty grains, pulses, and prototype development.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Hybrid Work Options

401(k) Company Match

Wellness Program

Team Member and Family Assistance Program (EAP)

Company News

World-Grain
Jul 22nd, 2026
Ardent Mills' earnings drop for fiscal 2026.

Ardent Mills' earnings drop for fiscal 2026. 07.22.2026 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, US - Ardent Mills ended fiscal 2026 with lower earnings and gross profit after tallying gains on both fronts in the previous year. According to the 2026 10-K report filed July 15 by Chicago, Illinois, US-based Conagra Brands Inc., which owns 44% of the milling joint venture, after-tax earnings for Ardent Mills fell 28% to $267.4 million from $369.2 million in 2025, which had marked a 2.1% year-over-year increase. Ardent Mills' gross profit for 2026 dropped nearly 20% to $525.7 million after rising 2.2% to $656.2 million for 2025. At the top line, Ardent Mills saw sales decline for the third straight year. The Denver-based miller generated fiscal 2026 net sales of $3.71 billion, down 7% from just under $4 billion in fiscal 2025, when sales slid 13% year over year, Conagra said. That followed a 12% net sales decrease to nearly $4.6 billion in fiscal 2024. For the 2026 fourth quarter ended May 31, Conagra said equity method investment earnings - primarily representing its stake in Ardent Mills - fell 26% to $42.6 million from $57.4 million a year earlier. Full-year 2026 equity method investment earnings came in at $140.7 million for the 14-week quarter, down 23% from $182.4 million a year ago. "Ardent Mills earnings for fiscal 2026 reflected lower commodity trading revenue," Conagra said in its 10-K report. "Results for fiscal 2026 and 2025 included net charges of $9.6 million and $7.2 million, respectively, primarily related to Ardent Mills restructuring activities." Excluding the impact of restructuring activities and asset impairment for the joint venture, as well as unusual tax items, fiscal 2026 adjusted equity method earnings were $150.3 million, down 21% from $189.6 million a year earlier. Fourth-quarter adjusted equity method earnings declined 26% year over year to $45.1 million from $61 million. Ardent Mills is North America's biggest milling company. Conagra and Cargill each own 44% of Ardent Mills under the joint venture, formed in 2014, while CHS owns a 12% interest. When reporting third-quarter results back in April, Conagra had cut $30 million from its 2026 adjusted equity method earnings forecast of $170 million, with chief financial officer David Marberger citing pressure on Ardent Mills' commodity trading revenue from lower prices and less volatility in wheat markets at the time. For fiscal 2027, Conagra projects adjusted equity method earnings of approximately $140 million. In a July 15 conference call with analysts on Conagra's fourth-quarter 2026 performance, Matthew Neisius, senior director of investor relations, noted that Ardent Mills remains a "swing factor" in fiscal 2027 guidance. "Ardent Mills is always one that we keep an eye on, right?" Neisius said in the call. "Wheat prices have been a bit more volatile of late, but it's always challenging to extrapolate that into a full year." Get better grain and ag industry search results. Adding And World Grain tells Google to prioritize World Grain stories.

Grain Journal
Jul 15th, 2026
CHS-Ardent Mills partnership connects northern plains wheat to growing markets.

CHS-Ardent Mills partnership connects northern plains wheat to growing markets. by Editor Jul 15, 2026 Rail lines across northeastern North Dakota are moving millions of bushels of wheat each year as CHS and Ardent Mills work together to connect farmer-owned grain supplies with domestic flour markets and evolving consumer demand. In Drayton, North Dakota, shuttle trains carrying as many as 116 rail cars are loaded with about 420,000 bushels of grain per train. The CHS ag retail business units in Drayton and Devils Lake operate seven shuttle elevators that ship approximately 34 million bushels of hard red spring wheat annually. About half of those rail cars are filled with hard red spring wheat, much of it bound for Ardent Mills flour milling facilities across the United States. Hard red spring wheat is valued for its high protein content, which provides the elasticity needed for products such as bread and pizza dough. Ardent Mills, North America's largest wheat miller, is jointly owned by Conagra Brands, Cargill and CHS. The company operates nearly three dozen facilities processing traditional and organic grains from Washington to Massachusetts and from Saskatchewan to Puerto Rico. The ownership connection gives CHS access to a consistent source of demand for grain produced by its cooperative farmer-owners while providing greater visibility into customer needs for wheat quality, timing and volume. In turn, Ardent Mills benefits from the reach of the cooperative system and its connections with growers across major wheat-producing regions. While flour remains the company's primary business, Ardent Mills is also expanding its focus on specialty grains and ingredients through its Emerging Nutrition portfolio. The initiative targets growing demand for foods made with alternative grains and pulses, including chickpeas, lentils, sorghum and flax, while also supporting growers interested in organic production. Recent investments include the acquisition of Stone Mill, a specialty grain cleaning facility in Richardton, North Dakota, that connects chickpea and lentil growers in the Pacific Northwest with domestic and international markets, as well as an organic grain elevator in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The company also is investing in advanced milling capabilities for alternative grains and pulses to broaden the range of products available to food manufacturers. At the same time, Ardent Mills continues to expand its traditional flour operations. The company is increasing capacity at its Commerce City, Colorado, facility and recently opened a flour mill near Tampa, Florida, capable of producing 1.8 million pounds of flour each day. Company officials said consumer demand continues to support both traditional wheat products and nutrient-dense food ingredients, creating opportunities for growers who produce conventional wheat as well as specialty and organic crops.

Yahoo Finance
May 12th, 2026
Ardent Mills appoints Erik Wibholm as EVP of trading and risk management

Ardent Mills has appointed Erik Wibholm as executive vice president of trading and risk management, effective 26 May 2026. He will lead commodity risk management and trading activities whilst overseeing the Customer Risk Management team. Wibholm joins from Cargill, where he most recently served as senior managing director of global oilseeds. He brings over 25 years of experience in agricultural commodity markets, with expertise in global wheat businesses across Australia and Europe. He succeeds Mike Miller, who is retiring after 12 years with Ardent Mills and more than 35 years in agriculture and food. Miller played a pivotal role in developing the company's risk management organisation and served on boards including MIAX Futures Exchange and the National Grain and Feed Association.

PR Newswire
May 12th, 2026
Ardent Mills appoints Erik Wibholm as executive VP of trading and risk management

Ardent Mills has appointed Erik Wibholm as executive vice president of trading and risk management, effective 26 May 2026. He will join the executive team, overseeing commodity risk management, trading activities and customer risk management solutions. Wibholm joins from Cargill, where he served as senior managing director of global oilseeds, leading trading, commercial strategy and risk management. He brings over 25 years of experience in agricultural commodity markets, including expertise in global wheat operations across Australia and Europe. He succeeds Mike Miller, who is retiring after 12 years with Ardent Mills and more than 35 years in agriculture and food. Ardent Mills, headquartered in Denver, is a flour-milling and ingredient company operating over 40 locations across the US, Canada and Puerto Rico.

World-Grain
May 12th, 2026
Ardent Mills appoints Wibholm executive VP.

Ardent Mills appoints Wibholm executive VP. 05.12.2026 DENVER, COLORADO, US - Ardent Mills has appointed Erik Wibholm as executive vice president of trading and risk management, effective May 26. He will succeed Mike Miller, who is retiring after a 12-year career with the company. Wibholm, who is joining Ardent Mills from Cargill, will serve on the company's executive team, setting strategic direction and leading commodity risk management and trading activities, while also overseeing the Customer Risk Management team, supporting customers with solutions to navigate markets. "Our risk management capabilities are a strategic differentiator - both in helping our customers be successful and in managing our business," said Sheryl Wallace, chief executive officer of Ardent Mills. "Erik's global experience and leadership will be instrumental as we continue to navigate markets, manage our network and create value for customers with the evolving food trends." Denver, Colorado, US-based Ardent Mills is North America's largest milling company with a total daily capacity of 468,285 cwts, according to Sosland Publishing Co.'s 2026 Grain & Milling Annual. Cargill and Conagra Brands Inc. each own 44% of Ardent Mills under a joint venture formed in 2014, while CHS Inc. owns a 12% interest. At Cargill, Wibholm was most recently senior managing director of global oilseeds, leading trading, commercial strategy and risk management across a complex global portfolio. He has more than 25 years of experience in agricultural commodity markets with expertise in global wheat, having led businesses in Australia and Europe, Ardent Mills said, along with a record of building culture, high-performing teams and delivering results. "Ardent Mills plays a unique role at the center of the value chain, one that has become even more crucial in today's increasingly dynamic operating environment, and that's what makes this opportunity so compelling," Wibholm said. "I look forward to partnering with the team to enhance risk management capabilities, strengthen performance and help position the business for long-term success by leading through change and delivering reliability and consistency for our customers." Ardent Mills credited Miller, whose career in agriculture and food spanned over 35 years, with playing a pivotal role in developing and evolving the company's risk management organization, establishing robust capabilities and a culture of disciplined execution during his tenure. Miller's impact included helping shape a strong organization, delivering value to customers and contributing to the industry through trusted relationships across and the agriculture and food sectors, Ardent Mills said. This includes his board service with MIAX Futures Exchange, the National Grain and Feed Association, and the advisory council of the J.P. Morgan Center for Commodities at the University of Colorado Denver. Get better grain and ag industry search results. Adding And World Grain tells Google to prioritize World Grain stories.

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