Global Commercial Director

The Commercial Director is responsible for providing sales leadership and works closely with the other management team members and business partners to ensure the company meets its (growth) objectives. This is a new role in a growing team. Although our client has sales in over 20 countries, our business activities focus on 7 key countries/segments:

• EU: Spain (swine and ruminants), Germany (swine, poultry, ruminants), Netherlands (swine, poultry and ruminants) and France (mainly ruminants and swine)
• USA: Mainly dairy, monogastrics in near future
• China: Ruminants, swine and poultry
• Aquaculture/Shrimp: Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, India, Vietnam

The countries are currently represented in the leadership team by MT members, who each act as country coordinators and de facto leads for their respective countries.

Due to the company's fast-paced scale-up nature and current size, the Commercial Director will be involved in a mix of commercial projects, as well as operational tasks. The role requires both strategic vision and hands-on practical sales skills to navigate the company through its current growth phase across multiple continents, species and applications (water, feed). It demands an exceptional multitasking, adaptability, and a combination of commercial and operational tasks daily. Working closely with the organization's leadership team, the global technical team, and partners in various countries (ranging from distributors to a mix of agents, employees and freelancers) servicing the distributors and farms, cooperatives and integrators, your responsibilities include:

• Dedicated Sales Focus:

• Provide sales leadership and add value to all parts of the commercial organization and key accounts' sales processes.
• Build and maintain commercial relationships with integrators, farmers, cooperatives, distributors, and feed producers across ruminants, swine, and poultry species in six key countries.
• Create momentum in integrations/feed mills by leveraging your commercial network and technical commercial fieldwork.
• Enable technical commercial experts to be more effective in selling.
• Develop and execute the company's short, mid, and long-term sales strategy.

• Sales Pipeline Management:

• Systematically collect and pursue opportunities and customers across all markets with the current people and organization structure.
• Analyze and optimize customer segmentation strategies.
• Analyze market trends and competitive landscape to inform strategic decisions, including conducting regular business review meetings with key countries.
• Design and implement user-friendly pipeline tracking systems that sales teams want to use.

• Strategic Account Management:

• Maintain warm relationships with key decision-makers at the decision-making level in most countries/segments - multi-lingual and multi-cultural by experience.
• Identify, collect, improve, and share successful repeatable sales methodologies across markets.
• Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and trade shows to build its brand and reputation.

• Sales Enablement and Business Intelligence:

• Build the sales infrastructure needed for future growth.
• Further improve Power BI dashboards and performance analytics.
• Assist in removing administrative burdens from local sales teams to increase their effectiveness.

Success Metrics:

• Sales growth
• Sales cycle and pipeline reduction
• Sales conversion rate improvement
• Pipeline accuracy and forecasting reliability

Profile qualifications and skills:

• Proven track record with 10 to 15 years of experience in senior sales/commercial roles within the feed additives, animal health, nutrition or related industries.
• Strong understanding of the animal health, nutrition (feed) and feed additives industry in swine, ruminants and poultry in at least 4 of the 6 key markets (China, Europe (NL, Ge, Sp, Fr), USA) and the key drivers of these markets.
• Sufficient technical knowledge of animal nutrition, health and feed additives products. A relevant degree (or gained due to proven experience) in Animal Nutrition/Health/Sciences or Chemistry, or a related field is required. An MBA or advanced degree is preferred.
• Proactive, entrepreneurial mindset, comfortable in a fast-paced, hands-on, dynamic scale-up environment, with an understanding of how large strategic corporates function.
• Outstanding commercial leadership and team-building skills, with experience leading diverse, global teams. Preferably with an existing "warm" network.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels.
• Solutions-focused, consulting skills and able to navigate complex customer situations with practical guidance.
• Fluency in multiple languages (English required, others beneficial).
• Willingness to travel extensively for business development and client management.
• Proficiency in various business software and tools (e.g. CRM systems, financial modelling, presentation software).
• Upholds ethical working standards and strong integrity values.
• Ability to work independently in a virtual team setting.