R& D Strategy Manager - Animal Nutrition

This role is located at our facility in Gray Summit, MO and must be on-site (no virtual/remote). This role does not offer relocation.

The AN R& D Strategy Manager serves as a key strategic advisor to the R& D VP and R& D Leadership Team, driving R& D organizational alignment with market-driven business priorities. This role bridges strategy and execution by assisting with strategic oversight across R& D, ensure technical input to key portfolio processes, and foster cross-functional collaboration to ensure research investments deliver market impact and promote customer experience.

Duty or Area of Responsibility:

40% Strategic R& D Alignment and Coordination

• Partner with R& D VP and Leadership to translate Animal Nutrition Vital Few and business strategies into actionable R& D priorities and increase innovation speed-to-market

• Partner with R& D Leadership to collaborate with key stakeholders including Marketing, Finance, and other teams to ensure R& D pipeline alignment with business needs

• Collaborate with Innovation Manager (Marketing) by coordinating R& D inputs to ensure R& D priorities are effectively integrated into Ignite growth stage gate process

• Monitor industry trends, competitive landscape, and emerging technologies relevant to Animal Nutrition R& D

40% Process Management & Support

• Ensure project management and processes are carried out in alignment with Animal Nutrition Vital Few and the broader Enterprise standards

• Facilitate regular strategic reviews and progress communication to stakeholders at all levels

• Coordinate across R& D VP and Leadership to ensure inclusion of technical and strategic input to Innovation Manager's portfolio prioritization process

20% Organizational Transformation & Process Excellence

• Contribute to smooth collaboration across the R& D team to promote collaboration and leverage synergies across species research efforts

• Assist in leading strategic R& D initiatives (e.g., research asset rebuilding, infrastructure projects)

• Establish KPIs and feedback mechanisms to measure R& D market responsiveness and strategic alignment

• Assist VP in developing R& D organizational capabilities for enhanced market competitiveness

• Champion best practices sharing across R& D leadership

Required Experience/Knowledge/Skills (to be able to perform this job):

• Bachelor's degree in Agricultural related (Ag business, Animal Science, Agronomy, etc) or Business.
• 7+ years of experience in strategic operations, business transformation, or R& D management roles
• Proven ability to influence and coordinate across matrix organizations without direct authority
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with ability to translate market insights into operational priorities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities across all organizational levels
• Experience with stage gate processes, project portfolio management, and cross-functional collaboration

Preferred:

• MBA or advanced degree
• Animal Nutrition industry experience or technical understanding of product development in the agricultural sector
• Familiarity with field trial methodology and research processes
• Experience working with Marketing organizations on strategy development and execution
• Experience with organizational transformation or process improvement initiatives

The salary range for this role is $ $91, 120 -$136, 680. In most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges .

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

Benefits for most full-time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k and a variety of well-being resources. Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Neither Land O'Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.