
Associate Director, Product Management – Animal Nutrition
Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc.
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Office
Location: Itasca • Illinois • United States
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Salary
💰 $150,000 - $179,000 per year
Job Level
Tech Stack
About the role
- Lead product management and commercial strategy for the AjiPro® portfolio, including rumen-protected lysine and amino acid technologies
- Develop and execute growth strategies to expand adoption across dairy, beef, and livestock production markets
- Drive customer acquisition and expand commercial presence across North America
- Partner with Sales and Marketing teams to strengthen customer engagement and market positioning
- Support global product strategy execution through knowledge sharing and supply coordination
- Develop initiatives to support greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction programs within livestock production systems
- Identify and implement opportunities to monetize sustainability-driven nutrition technologies
- Support sustainability strategy initiatives aligned with global environmental goals
- Collaborate with global teams to scale environmentally responsible feed additive solutions
- Develop mid- to long-term product supply strategies for AjiPro® products and key raw materials, including lysine
- Support capacity expansion planning and readiness for production growth
- Optimize profitability through coordination across Sales, Finance, and Supply Chain teams
- Lead development of integrated sales and production planning strategies
- Support operational governance and business alignment across AHN CFS operations
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and profitability management activities
- Serve as primary liaison between AHN, AJICO, and global stakeholders
- Support regulatory compliance and product registration across export markets
- Lead commercialization of new and enhanced amino acid product offerings
- Develop market strategies for single amino acids, including tryptophan and lysine
- Partner with R&D and Innovation teams to support product pipeline development
- Evaluate competitive landscape and identify new growth opportunities
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required in one of the following:
- Animal Science
- Veterinary Science
- Nutrition
- Physiology
- Pharmacy
- Agricultural Science
- Food Science
- Chemistry
- Related Scientific Discipline
- Master’s degree, MBA, or advanced degree preferred.
- 10+ years of experience in product management, business strategy, or commercial leadership within:
- Animal Nutrition
- Feed Additives
- Amino Acids
- Livestock Nutrition
- Food or Ingredient Manufacturing
- Demonstrated experience driving product commercialization and growth strategy
- Experience in ruminant nutrition (dairy or beef) strongly preferred
- Experience working in global or matrix organizations preferred
- Experience managing cross-functional teams and strategic initiatives
- Technical Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- SAP
- Salesforce
- Power BI
- CRM and ERP systems
- Financial and forecasting tools
- Strong knowledge of animal nutrition and feed additive markets
- Strategic thinking and long-term planning capability
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams
- Experience presenting to senior leadership and external stakeholders
- Strong interpersonal and leadership capabilities
Benefits
- Competitive Pay and Annual Bonus Opportunity
- 401(k) with Company Contributions
- Medical, Dental, and Vision — Effective Day 1
- Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, and Floating Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Wellness Programs and Yearly Wellness Reimbursement
- Work Flexibility
- Company-Paid Life and Disability Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Tuition Reimbursement Opportunities
- Career Growth and Development within a Global Organization
- Company-Provided Mental Health and Caregiving support
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
product managementbusiness strategycommercial leadershipproduct commercializationgrowth strategyruminant nutritionanimal nutritionfeed additivesamino acidsfinancial forecasting
Soft Skills
strategic thinkinglong-term planninganalytical skillsproblem-solving skillswritten communicationverbal communicationcollaborationinterpersonal skillsleadership capabilitiesability to manage multiple priorities
Certifications
Bachelor’s degreeMaster’s degreeMBA