Commercial Director, North America - Animal Nutrition

About Kerry

Kerry Group is a world leader in taste and nutrition serving the food and beverage industry globally.  Kerry has annualized sales more than $8 billion and employs over 22,000 people globally.  The Applied Health and Nutrition (AH&N) division operates on a global basis and contains Kerry’s key technologies delivering health & nutrition benefits as well as functionality via business units such as Proteins, Emulsifiers & Texturants, Enzymes and Probiotics. Specialist end use markets such as Animal Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Human Dietary Supplements and Pharma as also managed within the AH&N Division.  

About Animal Nutrition and Performance Solutions

The business team representing Kerry in animal nutrition is known as Animal Performance Solutions (APS).  Animal Performance Solutions is a global business built around Kerry’s range of animal nutrition additives that help optimize digestion, nutrient absorption, gut health, and feed preservation to support the sustainable and efficient production of feed for poultry, swine, and ruminant animals. The combination of the Niacet acquisition together with strong organic growth makes it an exciting time for this segment of our business. Further complementary acquisitions will be explored.  

About the role

Kerry seeks to identify an outstanding senior executive to lead our North American Animal Nutrition Business.  The successful candidate will have full sales responsibility for this profitable, high growth business unit that we aim to make a market leader in the industry.  The position requires a strategic leader who is comfortable operating with speed and flexibility in a fast-paced, high-growth entrepreneurial environment. The Commercial Director should be an inspirational, hands-on leader with high energy, drive, and capability to continue with the impressive growth of the business. 

The role can be home based from the US or Canada and link with the Kerry N America HQ in Beloit, Wi. The N American sales team, currently with 2 people, reports to the Commercial Director. He / She will provide overall management, direction and leadership, setting the strategy for long-term growth and profitability while ensuring the continued execution of immediate-term success and operational enhancements.  The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated track record of leadership success built over a career in the animal nutrition area or associated industries. He/she will be a proven sales manager.  He/she will be a high impact and dynamic leader, with a solid record of achieving results individually and through others; an intelligent, strategic thinker with proven ability to execute plans and achieve objectives. 

Key responsibilities

• Develop the business strategy that leverages prudent investment and drives category leading performance. These strategic efforts will focus on delivering sustainable revenue growth and disciplined cost management to help build shareholder value. 
• Manage day-to-day operations of the business unit in North America, including formulating and implementing long- and short-range strategic plans to achieve revenue and profitability objectives; ensure that performance meets budget. 
• Build a best-in-class operational discipline in the organization with well-articulated processes. Foster a performance-oriented culture, coupled with an enduring sense of entrepreneurialism, where successes are celebrated, and employees are motivated and rewarded for both individual and team contributions. Access the effectiveness of all operations and take corrective action, as appropriate. 
• Provide guidance to the sales and marketing teams to assess market voids or untapped market potential and develop strategies to realize this potential and build profitable market share. Ensure the development of a customer-centric organization that leads the industry in innovation and in customer intimacy. 
• Deliver results and grow market share in this high growth category. Work closely and collaboratively across the Kerry organization to maintain a robust innovation pipeline, delivering new products that are grounded in rigorous insight/ analytics. 
• Manage and lead a multi-functional team of sales, marketing, and nutrition experts. Maintain a team-oriented working environment that promotes open discussion on important issues, a high level of personal commitment and accountability, and a continued focus on profitably growing a portfolio across several categories. 
• Promote Kerry’s business externally. Play a leading role in developing and maintaining the Company’s image and reputation in the marketplace. 
• Work collaboratively with the senior management team at Kerry; participate in the strategic development of the business across all categories and businesses.