Global Category Manager - Animal Nutrition

Company: balchem
Location: New Hampton
Posted on: May 7, 2025

Job Description:

COMPANY OVERVIEW:
Balchem Corporation develops, manufactures and markets specialty ingredients that improve and enhance the health and well-being of life on the planet, providing state-of-the-art solutions and the finest quality products for a range of industries worldwide. Our corporate headquarters are located in Montvale, New Jersey, and we have a broad network of sales offices, manufacturing sites, and R&D centers, primarily located in the US and Europe. Founded in 1967, Balchem is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ - "BCPC") with annual revenues over $900 million and a market cap exceeding $4.0 billion. The company consists of three business segments: Human Nutrition & Health; Animal Nutrition & Health; and Specialty Products. Balchem employs over 1,400 people worldwide who are engaged in diverse activities, committed to developing the company into global market leadership positions. To learn more about our dynamic, stable and growing company, visit www.balchem.com.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Global Category Manager - Essential Nutrients will be responsible for the comprehensive management and strategic direction of a category encompassing multiple products (KeyShure & KeyShure Plus initially, but ultimately including Choline Chloride). This role is pivotal in driving growth, profitability, and market positioning of the Essential Nutrients category by overseeing its lifecycle, from market analysis and strategy development to product innovation and lifecycle management. The scope of the role will encompass three unique subsets of the Blachem Commercial Organization - Ruminants, Monogastric (primarily poultry & swine), Companion Animal Business Units (BU's). Geographically, this business is clustered in two primary areas - The America's and Western Europe, with strong interest to expand the global reach of the product category.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

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• Business Planning & Go To Market Strategy: Develop a long-term category vision and business plan with a 3-5 year time horizon to provide a roadmap for growth, aligned with corporate expectations and annual targets. This business plan will tie to the Commercial ambitions included in the newly minted ANH Strategic Plan. Formation of BU specific go-to-market strategies will be a key initial deliverable.
  
• Product Lifecycle Management: Oversee the lifecycle for each product within the category, from conception through to end-of-life, including collaboration with R&D on new product development, product enhancements, and market testing.
  
• Market Analysis and Positioning: Conduct in-depth market analysis to understand customer needs, trends, and competitor dynamics. Use insights to establish robust market positioning and align the marketing & communications plan with category objectives, ensuring brand consistency.
  
• Pricing and Profitability: Develop and implement pricing strategies and promotions that maximize profitability. Accountable for creating pricing guidelines, monitoring cost structures, and ensuring each product's pricing aligns with its market positioning.
  
• Innovation and Development: Work closely with R&D and the Balchem technical directors to drive innovation and develop products that meet emerging trends and fill market gaps.
  
• Sales Enablement and Training: Provide technical support and training to sales teams, equipping them with knowledge to effectively position the category and deliver consistent messaging to target audiences.
  
• Performance Tracking: Monitor and evaluate category performance using KPIs, informing adjustments to strategies as necessary to meet business goals. The Global Category Manager will own the Opportunities Pipeline in Salesforce and use this as a primary medium to create visibility of ongoing business development activities as well as drive accountability within the Commercial organization.
  
• Distribution Channel Management: Establish distribution guidelines and manage relationships with key distributors to optimize category reach. Identify the roles and competencies required by distributors to meet market needs and participate in the selection process.
  
  REQUIREMENTS:
  
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  • Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Business, Marketing, or a related field; an MBA is a plus.
    
  • 5+ years of experience in product management, category management, or a related role.
    
  • Animal nutrition industry experience is required, preferably a focus on minerals
    
  • Proven track record of managing a product portfolio or category, with strong strategic and analytical skills.
    
  • Ability to effectively communicate and influence across all levels of an organization.
    
  • Strong problem-solving skills with a customer-focused mindset.
    
  • Familiarity with competitive mineral platforms preferred
    
    #IN
    Balchem is committed to a workplace culture that values and promotes diversity, inclusion, equal employment opportunities, and a work environment free of harassment and hostility.PIfe871369aab2-37820-36105567

Keywords: balchem, Wayne , Global Category Manager - Animal Nutrition, Executive , New Hampton, New Jersey