Companion Animal Business Development Manager

Nutreco•Highland, IL

4d•$160,000 - $170,000•Remote

About The Position

Join Our Purpose - Feeding the Future Role: Business Development Manager – Companion Animal US Compensation: $160,000 to $170,000 Location: United States (Remote) Hours: Full-Time Vacancy Type: New Why join us Get ready to Own growth as a Business Development Manager – Companion Animal US at Trouw Nutrition, a Nutreco company. As global leaders in animal nutrition and aquafeed, our shared purpose of Feeding the Future is making a positive global impact for generations to come. Join us in this impactful role and help drive the growth of our companion animal business across the United States. By identifying new market opportunities, developing strategic partnerships, and expanding existing customer relationships, you will play a critical role in delivering sustainable commercial success. Own your direction, Own your development and Own your path. What you'll do As the Business Development Manager – Companion Animal US, you will lead the development and execution of growth strategies across Trouw Nutrition's pet food and adjacent categories business, with a focus on dog and cat markets throughout the United States. You will identify, qualify, and secure new customers, strategic partners, and channel opportunities while expanding existing business through consultative selling and account development. Working closely with Marketing and Commercial Leadership, you will develop customer value propositions, build business cases, manage opportunities through the full sales cycle, and ensure profitable growth through a disciplined approach to pipeline management, forecasting, and customer relationship development. This role offers the opportunity to own high-impact commercial initiatives while contributing directly to the future growth of the Companion Animal business. Who we're looking for We're looking for a commercially driven professional with a proven record of generating new business and expanding strategic customer relationships. You combine strong business development expertise with a customer-centric mindset and the ability to translate market insights into actionable growth strategies. You are comfortable working cross-functionally with sales, marketing, and product teams, influencing stakeholders without direct authority, and developing compelling value propositions that drive customer engagement. Most importantly, you thrive in an entrepreneurial environment where ownership, accountability, and growth are valued and rewarded.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Animal Nutrition, Marketing, Agricultural Business, Life Sciences, or a related field preferred
Minimum 5+ years of experience in business development, sales, commercial strategy, or related commercial roles
Proven track record of winning new business and growing existing customer accounts
Experience within companion animal nutrition, pet food, animal nutrition, food ingredients, functional ingredients, supplements, or related industries
Strong consultative sales skills with the ability to build customer value propositions and business cases
Experience managing complex sales cycles from prospecting through contract negotiation and onboarding
Demonstrated success developing and executing strategic growth plans
Experience identifying and qualifying new customers, channel opportunities, and strategic partnerships
Ability to develop and manage sales pipelines, forecasts, and CRM activities with a high degree of accuracy
Strong commercial acumen including pricing, negotiation, profitability, and revenue growth management
Excellent presentation, communication, and relationship-building skills
Strong analytical abilities including opportunity sizing, pipeline analysis, and business forecasting
Experience collaborating with marketing teams to develop customer-facing materials, campaigns, and commercial strategies
Ability to translate customer insights into actionable recommendations for internal stakeholders
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
Customer-centric approach with the ability to build long-term strategic relationships
Demonstrated ownership mindset with a high level of initiative and accountability
Experience working with pet food manufacturers, ingredient buyers, co-manufacturers, distributors, retailers, or related market participants preferred
Knowledge of ingredient claims, documentation requirements, and regulatory considerations related to pet nutrition or functional ingredients preferred
Ability to travel approximately 30-50% throughout the United States
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis.
Final candidates offered employment will be required to successfully complete a criminal background check and physical/drug screening, where permitted by law.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with pet food manufacturers, ingredient buyers, co-manufacturers, distributors, retailers, or related market participants
Knowledge of ingredient claims, documentation requirements, and regulatory considerations related to pet nutrition or functional ingredients

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of growth strategies across Trouw Nutrition's pet food and adjacent categories business, with a focus on dog and cat markets throughout the United States.
Identify, qualify, and secure new customers, strategic partners, and channel opportunities.
Expand existing business through consultative selling and account development.
Develop customer value propositions and build business cases.
Manage opportunities through the full sales cycle.
Ensure profitable growth through a disciplined approach to pipeline management, forecasting, and customer relationship development.
Own high-impact commercial initiatives while contributing directly to the future growth of the Companion Animal business.