MEMO

DATE:

October 23, 2016

TO:

Erin L. Ellsworth, Ph. D.

Instructor

FROM:

Casey Jaimes
Student

SUBJECT:

Career Path

As requested, I have investigated a possible career path that may be of interest to me.
In this report you will find the position title, responsibilities, qualifications and general
background of the company of choice. Information on the interviewee such as duties,
position and professional history. And information gained from the interviewee on
effective workplace communication.
Profession of Interest
Ive investigated the career path of an Operations Finance Lead at Cargill. The position
is important in providing direction and guidance to location controllers at 9 sites across
the US. It handles both fiduciary and business analytical tasks for the business unit.
This role is responsible for leading operational reporting, budgeting, costing, capital
spending and process standardization across all locations. Also oversee and ensure
adequate controls exist for the business unit thru a mini-audit process coordinated and
completed annually.
Qualifications
In order to qualify for this position it starts with education. The required degree for this
position is in accounting and business administration. Must have experience in working
with business units in different locations, budgeting, costs, and operational reporting.
Skills in effective business communication across multiple business units in various
locations. Years of experience in various accounting and operations roles. Experience in
developing efficient business units.
Career path
A possible way to get this position is starting out in an accounting entry position in the
business unit lead by the Operations Finance Lead. You have to start at the bottom in
order to know what is expected from all members of the business unit before you can
properly lead it. Having experience in accounting and being able to effectively
communicate with people in various locations in your business unit is critical. Must be

Erin L. Ellsworth Ph.D.

October 23, 2016

able to prepare reports which summarize and forecast company business activity and
financial position in areas of income, expenses and earnings based upon past, present
and expected operations. Once you master these skills you are able to move up to a
lead controller, if the position is open or you can go lead another business unit.
Salary
The anticipated salary range for a new graduate entering this field is around $40,000$55,000, according to Salary.com (2016). According to Glassdoor, the salary for a
professional in my goal position is around $100,000 (2016). This information gives me a
positive outlook on the monetary possibilities should I choose this certain career path. In
my conversations with Todd, he reinsures me that the need for this type of job is steadily
growing and the salary should rise as time goes on. Hopefully by the time I am his age I
will have reached this goal in terms of pay.
Background of Cargill
According to the company website, Cargill has grown to become the world's largest,
privately-owned businesses, providing food, agricultural, risk management, financial,
and industrial products and services around the world. It was founded in 1865 and
employs over 150,000 people in 70 countries around the world (2016).
They are a secretive company with an extensive information network around the world
to keep their edge. They are involved in all types of industries as listed below.
Areas of business include:
Agriculture
Food Ingredients
Meat Poultry & Eggs
Farmer Services
Animal Feed
Energy
Financial
Cargill Meat Solutions, where my possible career of choice works in, operates in the
beef and pork industry. They produce and manage products such as:
Angus Pride
Excel
Honeysuckle White
Morton's of Omaha
Preferred Angus

Erin L. Ellsworth Ph.D.

October 23, 2016

Rumba

Their Meat solutions division deals with big fast food customers such as:
Sonic
Arbys
McDonalds
Burger King
Financials
According to the company financial report for fiscal year 2016, Cargill reported adjusted
operating earnings of $1.64 billion, which is down 15 percent from a year ago. Net
earnings on a U.S. GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) basis rose 50
percent to $2.38 billion, boosted by gains on the sales of several businesses that were
partially offset by impairments taken on the companys Venezuelan operations and other
assets. Revenues decreased 11 percent to $107.2 billion, reflecting lower commodity
prices, a strong U.S. dollar and divestitures. Cash flow from operations totaled $3.41
billion.

Formal Interview
The interview with Todd Harshbarger, Operations Finance Lead at Cargills meat
solutions beef division took place on October 8, 2016 at 3:00 pm. Todds duties include
being responsible for leading operational reporting, budgeting, costing, capital spending
and process standardization across all locations. Also he oversees and ensures that
adequate controls exist for his business unit thru a mini-audit process coordinated and
completed annually. And has the responsibility of traveling across the nation to consult
other leads in order to educate them or himself. I started by finding out about his
professional career from the beginning.

Erin L. Ellsworth Ph.D.

October 23, 2016

Professional history
Todd started his professional career at Cargill in 1997 working in various accounting and
operations roles. Todd provided business partnering and leadership in the form of
profitability reporting, business development, operational efficiency and cost analysis
efforts. Todd then leaves for ConAgra Foods in 2001 as a Plant Controller where he
directed financial activities of a poultry plant. He prepared reports and had to forecast
activity for the business. Responsible for all accounting transactions for the complex
which included general ledger, balance sheet, payroll, payables/receivables,
inventories, product costings, budgets. In May 2010, Todd gets the Operations
Controller position back at Cargill he was seeking and is there present day.
Interview Information on Effective Business Communication in Workplace
In order to find out what lead Todd to his career choice I asked him to go back and think
about how he entered this field of work and what interested him about it. Todd thinks
back and explains that he took an accounting class as an elective in college and found
a great interest in it. The professor noticed it came easy to him and talked him into
changing his degree to accounting. Once he finished college with his accounting degree
he took an operations position with Cargill and when an accounting position opportunity
came up years later, he took it. Now hes happy with where he is at and advices I take
risks when I see an opportunity.
What Are Some Ways to Prepare for Your Field of Work?
Todd explains that internships are the most important thing you can start out with
because it will give you a preview of that position and show you if it really interests you
or not long term. Also advises me that I should have multiple job experiences in a
business world setting to show potential employers that I know what that world is like. I
then asked the follow up question Even if the job is not what I am interested in doing as
a career? Todd says yes because it can show employers that I
What Makes Cargill Different from Your Other Work Experience,
Communication Wise?
The change in technology in the past decade is what stands out the most to Todd.
When I started out it was all either written communication or emails in order to get
everyone on the same page. Now we are able to instant message people with questions
or video chat with multiple people at once. It used to be all about face-to-face

Erin L. Ellsworth Ph.D.

October 23, 2016

communication but with the technology we have now everything is pretty much instant
in regards to communicating with someone you need to talk to.
What is the Biggest Communication Problem in Your Workplace?
Todd explains that the vast amount of people, 13,000 to be exact, involved in the
business that need to be on the same page is the most difficult part of communicating in
the workplace. People from various cultures with different languages are involved. The
amount of different shifts in the plants and in different cities around the world. Having so
many variables in running the business division smoothly from people to time changes
makes it difficult to keep everyone updated. Even though technology can make it easier
the vast amount of people involved does not.
What Do You Think Could be a Solution to This Problem?
Todd laughs and responds with media communication. He says that problem is talked
about constantly, ways to keep everyone on the same page. Solutions to this problem
start with information boards that are set up all over the office and are constantly
updated so that everyone is seeing the same thing at the same time. They also hire
information specialists who come up with different strategies to help keep people
informed. And the last thing they always make sure to do is double check their
information so mistakes are minimized.
What are Some Forms of Communication Used on a Daily Basis?
Well face-to-face is the preferred method communication, but it can range from email,
skype conferences, phone conferences, those information boards stated earlier and of
course those lovely meetings 5-10 times per week. This tells me that all options are on
the table in terms of keeping everyone informed even if it is sometimes office gossip. So
if I am able to come up with ways to effectively communicate in the workplace I should
speak up and implement it. It is always encouraged in the workplace Todd advises.
Is There Anything Unique About The Communication in Your Work
Environment?
The company puts out a weekly newsletter with overall information about what is going
on in the company. It highlights the important issues and events about particular jobs
depending in the area of the company you work for. We also have sales and operations
planning meetings so we can review the week before and forecast the week ahead
through collaboration. Most unique thing about their communication environment

Erin L. Ellsworth Ph.D.

October 23, 2016

according to Todd is how much people double check their information before passing it
on in an effort to reduce miscommunication.
Any Advice on Communicating in a Business Environment? How to
Conduct Yourself? What is expected?
Todd says that you should always stay professional no matter how mad or frustrated
you may get. Getting mad will only get you in trouble and people in the office may lose
respect for you if you are quick to let your emotions conflict with the workplace
environment. Never strain work relations and actively listen before you talk, that way
you dont lose support and say something wrong. And the final piece of advice is if
you do what you were hired to do and follow company guidelines and procedures, there
is not much that could stop you from achieving what you desire in the company.
Conclusion
In conclusion, being able to think about a possible career path and talking to someone
who is in that path was very enlightening. Talking to Todd has led to a better
understanding of what is expected in that job field and how their workplace environment
functions in terms of communication. Though it pays very well, this job comes with a lot
of stresses and obligations to the people who are working under you. Coming away with
a new insight on this career path will help me decide what I will spend my life doing.

Erin L. Ellsworth Ph.D.

October 23, 2016

Works Cited

Cargill. (2016, October 18). Financial Information. Retrieved from Cargill:

http://www.cargill.com/company/financial/index.jsp
Cargill. (2016, October 20). Our Company. Retrieved from Cargill Company Website:
http://www.cargill.com/company/businesses/index.jsp
Forbes. (2016, October 20). America's Largest Private Companies. Retrieved from
Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/companies/cargill/
Glassdoor. (2016, October 26). Finance Operations Manager Salaries. Retrieved from
Glassdoor: https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/kansas-city-financeoperations-manager-salary-SRCH_IL.0,11_IM437_KO12,38.htm
Linkedin. (2016, October 08). Todd Harshbarger. Retrieved from
https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-harshbarger-78321279
Harshbarger, Todd. Personal Interview. 8 October 2016.