How does a 103-year-old, member-owned agricultural cooperative ensure it continues to grow and stays an attractive and empowering employer for its current and future workers?

The answer, according to Land O’Lakes SVP and CHRO, Julie Sexton, lies in HR innovation.

With 9,000 employees and 140 manufacturing and distribution facilities, the organization’s workforce is spread across its plants, farms, HQ offices and more – meaning flexibility is a key component for the $16.2 billion revenue company.

Sexton will be taking to the UNLEASH America 2025 stage to explain how Land O’Lakes is fostering a talent experience that not only meets the needs of the business, but also empowers employees across every department.

“Now more than ever, we’re seeing an opportunity for businesses to take a more innovative approach to growth, specifically by leveraging their HR teams as a thought partner and a ready resource to help drive change and agility across their overall workforce,” Sexton explains.

“My hope is that some of our experiences and learnings can act as a blueprint for other companies.”

Helping employees put down roots for the future

Julie Sexton, SVP & CHRO, Land O’Lakes

One of the most prominent examples of how Land O’Lakes is enhancing its talent experience is the introduction of the Flex Work policy.

Sexton explains that these flexible work roles for manufacturing employees, helps the organization to overcome labor challenges by allowing employees to choose their own shift lengths and times – something “unique for the industry that has led to stellar results.”

She adds that the one consistent element across all the company’s varying operations is a growing desire for greater flexibility.

“Over the last several years, Land O’Lakes has worked to provide several avenues for all employees to have more flexibility in their schedules – such as a hybrid work model for headquarters-based employees and the flexible work program for participating manufacturing facilities,” she details.

“My HR team is also working much more closely with our business partners to identify current and future talent needs to help fuel growth.”

All of this is tied directly into Land O’Lakes’ Employer Value Proposition – ‘Your Future Is Rooted Here’. Sexton adds that this means that the organization is dedicated to providing “a workplace full of growth opportunities and relentless cooperation.”

For an organization like Land O’Lakes, comprising a variety of employees with different roles and lives, Sexton details that work to address this includes surveys designed to measure which offerings employees value the most and what is important to different segments of employees.

“Based on results – which indicated high ratings for things like retirement & financial security, work-life balance and caregiver leave – we evolved and enhanced our offerings to meet these various needs more directly,” she explains.

One area that I’m particularly proud of is our work with SkillBridge, a program that helps military service members transition from the armed forces to civilian work with the goal of providing full-time job opportunities.

“Our enterprise currently has 13 SkillBridge interns, 25 service members who completed an internship, and seven of those interns have been hired into full-time roles.” 

Shifting HR mindsets to drive organizational growth

Company culture plays a significant role in building a workplace that can empower employees and transform their experience at work, and Land O’Lakes takes this very seriously.

Sexton tells UNLEASH that culture is “fundamental” to the businesses objectives and one way that it has shifted the dynamic of HR from being a cost center to an enabler of the organizaton is through the creation of HR Business Advisors.

These team members are assigned to senior business leadership teams across the company, offering strategic support and leadership on critical talent challenges that each business unit is facing,” she explains.

“These roles focus beyond the day-to-day, integrating internal and external trends to provide practical solutions that meet the needs of today and the challenges of tomorrow.”

But achieving a transition to strategic-oriented approach for HR begins with the leaders themselves and how they view their own role, Sexton says, who recommends that HR leaders view themselves as business leaders instead.

Sexton points out that having a “profound understanding” of the business, its operations and customers is critical in building a strong culture and, ultimately, meeting the needs of employees.

This must also be reflected within HR departments, she adds, highlighting the creation of “a new vision of HR” at Land O’Lakes rolled out a few years ago called ‘HR4WARD’.

“The vision centered around the idea that HR at Land O’Lakes would elevate from an organization of functional expertise, to one of strategic business acumen, greater efficiency and higher levels of collaboration with our customers,” Sexton concludes.

This work has been a paramount first step in positioning HR as a more integrated thought partner within our business units, leading to a more tangible impact on our unique workforce and range of employee experiences.”

Land O’Lakes at UNLEASH America 2025

At this year’s International Festival of HR, Sexton will take the stage to present an in-depth case study of how Land O’Lakes is driving business growth through HR innovation and flexible work.

“I never regret the time I spend connecting with colleagues and peers from different sectors – it opens my mind to explore topics, use a different lens and drives my creative thinking,” Sexton says.

“UNLEASH America promises to be a great venue!  The speaker line-up, the companies and thought partners, the networking opportunities… I can’t wait!”

Book your pass now to make sure you’re with us in Las Vegas 6-8 May for UNLEASH America 2025!