As strategic partnerships manager, you’ll identify, structure, and execute partnership opportunities that optimize our production network capacity while delivering profitable outcomes for FrieslandCampina and our partners.
Your key responsibilities:
Opportunity Development:
- identify and evaluate tolling, milk swaps, co-manufacturing, and joint venture opportunities that optimize underutilized factory capacity;
- think creatively about potential partners – from competitors to out-of-box collaborators seeking dairy processing or stainless steel capacity;
- convert market insights and competitive dynamics into robust business cases with clear value propositions;
- develop recommended deal structures that balance commercial ambition with operational feasibility.
Negotiation & Deal Structuring:
- lead and co-lead negotiations with competitor dairies, co-manufacturers, and strategic accounts up to agreed thresholds;
- structure agreements that protect FrieslandCampina’s strategic and financial interests;
- ensure compliance with governance frameworks and financial limits;
- escalate for final approval when required while maintaining deal momentum.
Cross-Functional Execution:
- coordinate timelines, deliverables, and stakeholders for approved partnerships across multiple functions;
- integrate perspectives from Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, and Commercial teams to ensure alignment;
- navigate internal complexity and get diverse stakeholders on board with creative solutions;
- communicate effectively with factory teams to understand operational constraints and possibilities.
Project Management & Governance:
- drive multidisciplinary projects from concept through successful implementation;
- prepare status reports, track milestones, identify risks, and escalate issues proactively;
- establish transparent governance structures with partners;
- maintain senior-level external relationships and represent FrieslandCampina professionally in strategic discussions.
Program Contribution:
- support the Ideal Network Utilization program by translating partnership models into committed volumes;
- contribute to enterprise-wide initiatives that strengthen network performance and milk valorization;
- identify opportunities for swap deals and other creative arrangements that optimize the broader network.
You will report to the Manager Plan and Deliver and work within the Strategic Partnerships team, collaborating closely with colleagues who each manage different types of factories, deals, and partnerships across FrieslandCampina’s network.
