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.