Customer Technical Insights Manager, North America

This opportunity is located within our AFB International business, the global science and technology leader in pet food palatability. We develop and produce a full range of liquid and dry palatability enhancers using high-quality ingredients proven to optimize companion animal response and consumption.

Job Description

AFB International is a global science and technology leader in pet food palatability, developing and producing a full range of liquid and dry palatability enhancers. As expert in pet food, AFB International is partner with pet food manufacturers to create better-tasting dog and cat foods, treats and supplements, meeting the specific needs of the pets and pet owners they serve. The company is part of Ensign-Bickford Industries, Inc. (EBI), a privately-owned high technology conglomerate, and has offices and/or production facilities in the USA (global HQ), Europe, Latin America, Mexico, Australia and China.

As our Customer Technical Insights Manager, North America, you will be the group leader of the North American customer facing R&D team by (1) making & executing team strategy aligned to global and regional accounts for new & existing key accounts, (2) be responsible for providing technical support to key account managers, (3) act as an expert and market interface team to R&D, Quality & Regulatory team, (4) manage research on application development, and (5) develop market product and technology roadmap in combination with the Science & Technology team.

Your opportunity within AFB International

The CTI teams in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America, even if regional, they have an international scope. The responsibility of the team is to think and execute against the broader global strategy while engaging other technical and non-technical functions (marketing, sales, quality, R&D) to leverage existing expertise to maximize the change of success of projects, to bring new insights to the final customers and to translate customer roadmaps in potential new technology developments. Focusing on local customers this team can execute flawlessly to achieve both financial and market share objectives.

Your experience should demonstrate:

• Technical services experience, both in R&D or Commercial context
• Team management experience, > 4 line reports preferred
• Strategy development and execution aligned with business needs
• Direct working experience and network within AFB International customers.
• Understanding of pet food palatant market
• Direct working experience and network within AFB International customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop end execution of Customer Technical Insights team strategy to deliver business goals
• Recruit, manage and coach Customer Technical Insights team
• Personally responsible for technical support key global accounts
• Setting up technical application processes, dashboards and information databases
• Acting as pet food and ingredient industry expert
• Translating market insights into product lines and claim ideas for Science & Technology team
• Facilitating the development of Market, product and technology roadmap
• Managing research on application development (i.e. palatant, pet food type and sensory system interaction)

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science / Technology or Animal Nutrition (MSc preferred)
• 5+ year product development and/or technical sales experience in pet food ingredient industry
• Prior People Leadership experience
• Strategic mindset

• Highly flexible and go getter
• Able to work closely with sales as well as R&D (team player)
• Result oriented combined with entrepreneurial, sales and innovative mindset
• Ability to prioritize and oversee multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication skills and dynamic personality

AFB International is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.