Business Development Director - US

This position is for Darling's Rousselot brand.

The Business Development Director is a strategic commercial leader responsible for accelerating growth, driving innovation-led opportunities, and expanding our footprint across the nutraceutical, functional food, and health & nutrition industries. You will shape the regional gotomarket strategy, activate the commercial pipeline, and build influential partnerships that strengthen our leadership in collagen and other value-added ingredients.

This high-impact role sits on the US regional management team and collaborates closely with Sales, Science, Innovation, Marketing, and key customers to translate market insights into scalable commercial strategies.

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities across North America, with emphasis on premium nutrition, metabolic health, and functional beauty categories.
• Build a multi-year commercial pipeline informed by consumer insights, emerging scientific trends, and category whitespace.
• Lead acquisition of top-tier strategic customers in the CPG, nutraceutical, and ingredient sectors.
• Expand revenue through new accounts, emerging segments, and innovative applications.

Expected Outcome:

• Minimum 15% annual growth in new business pipeline value.
• Accelerated regional revenue growth and penetration into new market segments.

• Partner with Science, Innovation, and Marketing teams to bring new ingredient concepts from ideation to launch.
• Own the business case, commercial strategy, and gotomarket plan for new innovations.
• Ensure customer-centric value propositions that highlight functional benefits, science, and differentiation.

Expected Outcome:

• Ontime and successful commercialization of innovation projects.
• First-year revenue and volume targets achieved.
• Clear ROI, margin expectations, and commercialization roadmaps validated by leadership.

• Build and manage high-impact relationships with leading customers, distributors, research partners, and innovation accelerators.
• Represent the company at major trade shows, conferences, and industry forums, strengthening visibility and lead generation.

Expected Outcome:

• Partnerships that unlock new segments, codevelopment opportunities, or commercial growth.

• Serve as the voice of the North American customer within the global innovation ecosystem.
• Provide strategic input on pricing, positioning, and commercial storytelling.
• Contribute to developing the Americas growth strategy alongside regional and global leaders.
• Strengthen the performance of the commercial pipeline, improving conversion and pricing discipline.

Expected Outcome:

• Improved commercial execution and increased win rates.
• Stronger alignment between customer needs, innovation strategy, and commercial priorities.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Business, or related field.

• 10+ years in business development, commercial strategy, or innovation in nutraceuticals, functional foods, ingredients, or OTC pharma.
• Proven track record of launching products and driving growth in B2B environments.
• Experience working cross-functionally in a global matrix organization.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate market needs into innovation pipelines.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Strong relationship-building and ecosystem development mindset.
• High adaptability and resilience when navigating complex opportunities.
• Results-driven with strong initiative and strategic thinking.
• Project management excellence and strong organizational skills.

• Effective Communication: Clear, tailored communication across all levels.
• Adaptability: Thrives amid change, setbacks, and evolving priorities.
• Developing Relationships: Builds trust-based, productive partnerships.

• Coaching & Development: Helps others reach their potential (informal leadership).
• Team Building: Encourages collaboration across functions and regions.
• Managing Change: Communicates the "why" and drives organizational buyin.

• Judgment & Decision-Making: Data-driven, timely, and effective decisions.
• Results Focus: Consistently meets or exceeds growth objectives.
• Initiative & Motivation: Proactively uncovers opportunities and solves customer challenges.

• Requires mastery of commercial and scientific market dynamics.
• Solves complex, undefined challenges with analytical rigor.
• Influences short- to mid-term regional strategy (12-18 months).
• Gains alignment through persuasive communication and strong evidence-based proposals.

Darling Ingredients is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration to qualified applicants without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or, protected veteran status. Know Your Rights: If you would like more information, please click on the link and paste into your browser: https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal-poster