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Global Strategic Marketing Director - Companion Animal - Job Opportunity at Nutreco

Highland, US
Full-time
Executive
Posted: July 3, 2025
On-site
USD 150,400 - 225,600 per year

Benefits

Competitive 401(k) matching program providing long-term financial security and retirement planning advantages
Comprehensive dental insurance coverage ensuring oral health maintenance and preventive care access
Full disability insurance protection safeguarding income and financial stability during unforeseen circumstances
Flexible spending account options enabling tax-advantaged healthcare and dependent care expense management
Premium health insurance package delivering comprehensive medical coverage and wellness support
Health savings account opportunities for tax-free medical expense savings and long-term healthcare planning
Life insurance coverage providing financial protection and peace of mind for family security
Generous paid parental leave policy supporting work-life balance during critical family moments
Flexible paid time off program enabling personal wellness and vacation time management
Extended parental leave benefits demonstrating commitment to family-first workplace culture
Tuition reimbursement program investing in continuous professional development and career advancement
Complete vision insurance coverage supporting eye health and corrective care needs
Performance-based annual bonus structure rewarding exceptional contribution and business impact

Key Responsibilities

Architect and execute comprehensive global marketing strategies that drive measurable market share expansion and profitability growth while positioning the Companion Animals segment as an industry leader through innovative differentiation tactics
Lead the development and implementation of integrated marketing campaigns that unify global portfolio messaging and communication strategies while fostering cross-regional collaboration to maximize brand consistency and market penetration
Conduct sophisticated market intelligence operations including customer behavior analysis, competitive landscape assessment, and trend identification to inform strategic business decisions and fuel innovation pipeline development
Build and mentor a high-performing global marketing organization by establishing clear performance objectives, providing strategic guidance, and developing talent through targeted recruitment and skill development initiatives
Drive cross-functional strategic alignment by collaborating with product development, operations, commercial, and R&D teams to ensure marketing strategies support business objectives while managing budget allocation to optimize ROI and business growth

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's Business Degree or Master's Degree – Marketing

Experience

8 years+ proven experience in crafting and executing comprehensive marketing strategies for a specific market segment, ideally within pet food or a related industry

Required Skills

Demonstrated ability to drive business performance, including increasing market share, volume, and profitability, and formulating commercial strategies to meet sales and margin goals Strong leadership skills with experience in directing marketing teams, setting objectives, providing mentorship, and fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence Expertise in market analysis and research, including gaining insights into customer behavior, evaluating competitor strategies, and utilizing data to make informed business decisions Exceptional cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with product, operational marketing, commercial, and R&D teams to align strategies and provide market-driven insights for product development
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The global pet food market is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by humanization trends, with premium and super-premium segments expanding rapidly as pet owners increasingly view their animals as family members and demand higher-quality nutrition products. This shift is creating opportunities for companies that can effectively communicate scientific backing and nutritional benefits while building emotional connections with consumers. Sustainability and transparency have become critical differentiators in the companion animal nutrition space, with consumers demanding clear ingredient sourcing, environmental responsibility, and ethical manufacturing practices. Companies that can successfully integrate sustainability messaging into their marketing strategies while maintaining product efficacy are gaining significant competitive advantages. Digital transformation and direct-to-consumer channels are reshaping traditional pet food marketing approaches, with e-commerce sales accelerating and subscription-based models gaining traction. Marketing leaders must now navigate omnichannel strategies that blend traditional retail relationships with digital engagement and data-driven personalization. The regulatory landscape for pet food marketing is becoming increasingly complex globally, with stricter requirements for health claims, ingredient transparency, and marketing communications. This creates both challenges and opportunities for companies that can navigate compliance while building trust through transparent communication strategies.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of $150,400-$225,600 is highly competitive for this executive-level position, positioning in the upper quartile of global marketing director compensation in the animal nutrition industry. This range reflects the specialized nature of the companion animal market, the global scope of responsibilities, and Nutreco's position as a major player in the agricultural nutrition sector. The variable range likely accounts for candidate experience levels and allows for performance-based positioning within the band.

Role Significance

The position likely oversees a global marketing organization of 15-30 professionals across multiple regions, including regional marketing managers, product marketing specialists, market research analysts, and marketing communications teams. The role requires managing both direct reports and matrix relationships with regional commercial teams and R&D organizations.
This is a senior executive position with global P&L influence and strategic decision-making authority over a significant business segment within Nutreco's portfolio. The role carries substantial responsibility for market share growth, profitability, and brand positioning across multiple international markets, indicating C-suite proximity and board-level visibility for performance outcomes.

Key Projects

Development and launch of next-generation companion animal nutrition products targeting premium market segments with emphasis on scientific differentiation and health benefits communication Implementation of integrated global marketing campaigns that unify regional messaging while respecting local market nuances and regulatory requirements Strategic market entry initiatives for emerging markets where pet ownership and premium pet food adoption are accelerating Digital transformation projects including e-commerce platform development, data analytics implementation, and customer relationship management system optimization Sustainability marketing initiatives that communicate environmental responsibility while maintaining focus on product performance and animal health benefits

Success Factors

Deep understanding of both agricultural/nutrition science and consumer marketing dynamics, enabling effective translation of technical product benefits into compelling consumer value propositions that drive purchase decisions and brand loyalty Proven ability to build and maintain strategic relationships with key opinion leaders, veterinarians, pet specialty retailers, and distribution partners while navigating complex global supply chain and regulatory environments Strong analytical capabilities combined with creative marketing instincts, allowing for data-driven decision making while developing innovative campaigns that differentiate products in increasingly crowded marketplace Cultural intelligence and global business acumen essential for managing diverse international teams and adapting marketing strategies to local market conditions while maintaining brand consistency and operational efficiency Financial acumen and business strategy skills necessary for managing significant marketing budgets, evaluating ROI across multiple channels, and contributing to strategic business planning and M&A evaluation processes

Market Demand

High demand exists for experienced marketing executives with specialized companion animal industry knowledge, particularly those who can navigate both traditional agricultural marketing and consumer-facing pet food dynamics. The convergence of agricultural expertise with consumer marketing sophistication creates a limited talent pool, making qualified candidates highly sought after by major nutrition companies.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Strategic marketing planning and execution capabilities are essential for developing comprehensive global campaigns that drive measurable business results while coordinating across multiple regions and market segments. This skill directly impacts the ability to achieve the role's primary objective of increasing market share and profitability in competitive global markets. Leadership and team development skills are crucial for building and managing high-performing marketing organizations across diverse cultural and geographic contexts. The success of global marketing initiatives depends heavily on the ability to inspire, direct, and develop talent while fostering collaboration across international teams and time zones. Market research and competitive analysis expertise enables data-driven decision making and strategic positioning in rapidly evolving companion animal markets. This analytical capability is essential for identifying opportunities, understanding consumer behavior, and developing compelling value propositions that differentiate products from competitors. Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management skills are vital for aligning marketing strategies with broader business objectives while working effectively with R&D, commercial, and operational teams. The complexity of global nutrition business requires seamless integration across multiple functional areas to achieve optimal results.

Beneficial Skills

Digital marketing and e-commerce expertise would provide significant advantages as the companion animal market continues its digital transformation, enabling more effective customer engagement and direct-to-consumer strategy development Regulatory knowledge and compliance experience would be valuable for navigating the increasingly complex global regulatory environment for pet food marketing and health claims Merger and acquisition experience would enhance strategic value given the consolidation trends in the companion animal nutrition industry and potential for portfolio expansion Sustainability and corporate social responsibility expertise would support growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products and transparent business practices

Unique Aspects

This role offers the distinctive opportunity to shape marketing strategy for a global nutrition company with deep scientific expertise transitioning into consumer-facing companion animal markets, combining agricultural industry knowledge with consumer marketing sophistication
The position provides access to Nutreco's extensive R&D capabilities and scientific research infrastructure, enabling marketing campaigns built on substantial technical innovation and nutritional science rather than purely marketing-driven differentiation
Working within the SHV group structure offers exposure to diverse business models and industries beyond animal nutrition, providing broader strategic perspective and potential career opportunities across the portfolio
The role involves navigating the unique dynamics of the companion animal market, which blends B2B relationships with feed distributors and veterinarians alongside B2C consumer marketing to pet owners, requiring diverse marketing skill sets

Career Growth

Career progression to C-suite roles typically occurs within 3-5 years for successful candidates, given the executive nature of this position and the strategic importance of the companion animal segment to Nutreco's overall business strategy. Advancement timing depends on individual performance, market conditions, and organizational changes within the SHV group portfolio.

Potential Next Roles

Chief Marketing Officer or Chief Commercial Officer roles within Nutreco or similar agricultural/nutrition companies, with expanded responsibility for sales organizations and commercial strategy development General Manager or Business Unit President positions overseeing full P&L responsibility for companion animal divisions or related business segments within multinational food and nutrition companies Senior executive roles at major pet food manufacturers such as Mars Petcare, Nestlé Purina, or Hill's Pet Nutrition, leveraging deep industry expertise and global marketing experience Chief Executive Officer opportunities at mid-sized companion animal nutrition companies or specialty pet food manufacturers seeking experienced leadership with proven track record of driving growth and market expansion

Company Overview

Nutreco

Nutreco operates as a global leader in animal nutrition and aquafeed solutions, functioning as a key subsidiary within the SHV Holdings portfolio of companies. The organization maintains significant market presence across multiple continents with specialized expertise in both aquaculture and livestock nutrition, positioning it uniquely to leverage scientific research and development capabilities across diverse animal nutrition segments.

Nutreco holds a strong competitive position in the global animal nutrition market through its two primary business lines: Skretting (aquafeed) and Trouw Nutrition (livestock and companion animal nutrition). The company competes with major players like Cargill, ADM, and DSM while maintaining differentiation through scientific innovation and sustainable practices, supported by the financial strength and strategic resources of the SHV group.
The Highland, Illinois location serves as a strategic hub for North American operations, providing access to major agricultural markets and supply chain networks while maintaining proximity to key customers and distribution partners. This positioning enables effective coordination with global operations while addressing the specific needs of the rapidly growing North American companion animal market.
Nutreco promotes a purpose-driven culture centered on 'Feeding the Future' with strong emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and collaborative excellence. The company culture reflects both the scientific rigor of agricultural nutrition and the entrepreneurial spirit necessary for consumer market success, supported by the stability and resources of the established SHV group corporate structure.
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