Operations Lead

The ideal candidate will alternate days working from either our River Falls facility (it's closer to the Twin Cities metro area than you think! Only 17 miles over the MN/WI border) OR from Arden Hills, MN.

Job Description

Land O'Lakes is expanding its Research and Development group to accelerate the path from insight to enterprise impact. As the agricultural landscape evolves-driven by rapid technological advancements, shifting market demands, sustainability imperatives, and new business segments. The Innovation Portfolio and Digital Operations Lead will play a pivotal role in helping the organization navigate and thrive amid these shifts by modernizing critical innovation pipeline and By WinField United Process (BWUP) and support the expanded efforts that are moving into the process.

The Innovation Portfolio & Digital Operations Lead will be responsible for shaping, strengthening, and scaling how innovation strategy, pipeline design, and digital enablement operate across Research & Development and the Innovation Center. Working alongside the By WinField United Process (BWUP) owner, this role helps evolve innovation strategy and portfolio structure as the business expands into Global development, Seed priorities, and new market initiatives. This role leads the design and implementation of improved innovation pipeline approaches, translating complex strategy into practical, scalable operating models that others can execute. The position also builds critical bench strength and shared knowledge of BWUP, reducing organizational risk while supporting digital transformation and innovation operations.

Responsibilities:

Innovation Strategy & Pipeline Evolution (30%):

Leads the evolution of innovation strategy and pipeline design to support growth, complexity, and new markets. Analyzes complex, multi‑dimensional challenges to identify underlying issues and implement new approaches to portfolio structure, prioritization, and flow. Introduces new concepts and frameworks that improve decision quality, clarity, and scalability across the innovation portfolio.

BWUP Enablement, Knowledge Transfer & Governance Sustainability (30%):

Builds deep working knowledge of BWUP and partners with the process owner to strengthen sustainability, shared ownership, and governance effectiveness. Leads pipeline enhancements that enable consistent execution while reducing organizational risk tied to single‑threaded expertise. Supports leadership decision‑making through clear governance artifacts, insights, and evaluation of portfolio progress.

Digital Transformation & Innovation Operations Enablement (30%):

Enables digital transformation efforts that improve innovation execution, visibility, and scalability. Partners closely with the Senior Manager, Data & Insights as both collaborator and owner across defined workstreams. Translates digital capabilities into repeatable innovation processes and facilitates cross‑functional collaboration to drive adoption and results.

Leadership Expectations (10%):
Operates with an enterprise mindset and broad business perspective, influencing outcomes without formal authority. Demonstrates courage in constructively challenging existing approaches and advocating for improved solutions. Holds self and others accountable for progress and results, makes sound decisions in complex environments, and fosters collaboration while creating space for innovation and experimentation.

Education/Experience:

• 4 years degree or higher in business, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Data Science, or related field - required
• 8 or more years of experience in data analytics, business strategy, product discovery, or innovation roles; including experience in innovation operations, portfolio management, or program execution within R&D, strategy, or digital environments - required
• Digital fluency and curiosity (data, tools, AI‑enabled workflows, portfolio platforms) - required
• Experience working in R&D or scientific environments - preferred
• Previous experience in people management - preferred

Salary range: $123,920 - $185,880 (in most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges)

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.

We provide a broad portfolio of benefits to keep you and your family at your best. Land O'Lakes is Where Your Future Takes Root.

Land O'Lakes and our global entities support diversity in employment practices.

Neither Land O'Lakes, nor its affiliates or 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.

If you need to submit a reasonable accommodation request to complete the employment application process, please call the HR Solution Center at 844-LOL-HR4U (844-565-4748) M-F 8:00am-4:30pm CT.