Director of Strategic Growth

Carthage System; Carthage (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Carthage System is pursuing a Director of Strategic Growth to identify and evaluate global opportunities in livestock markets and related sectors. The role blends strategic planning with hands-on execution, coordinating cross-functional teams and resources to advance high-value initiatives.

The ideal candidate has a deep background in livestock business leadership, strong financial modeling skills, and a global perspective. Travel to key international markets will be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required.
• MBA, DVM, or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in the livestock sector.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize growth opportunities domestically and internationally.
• Lead initiation and execution of strategic initiatives from concept to ownership.
• Partner with Finance to build financial models, business cases, and projections for growth investments.
• Assess strategic fit with mission, capabilities, and long-term goals.
• Travel domestically and internationally to assess markets and engage partners.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Financial acumen

Executive communication

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/agriculture/animal health or related field

MBA, DVM, master’s degree, or comparable advanced degree

Job description

The Director of Strategic Growth is a corporate-level executive responsible for identifying, evaluating, initiating, and advancing strategic growth opportunities that strengthen the company’s long-term market position, financial performance, and enterprise value within the global swine market. The role also supports growth opportunities across other livestock species, including poultry and cattle.

The position requires a leader who can move fluidly between strategy development and execution planning, build the analytical foundation for investment decisions, coordinate cross-functional technical and commercial resources, assess strategic fit, and develop financially sound recommendations for domestic and international growth opportunities in animal health, livestock production, producer services, diagnostics, biologics, nutrition, data-enabled decision support, and technical education.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Opportunity Identification and Evaluation: Identify, evaluate, and prioritize domestic and international growth opportunities using strategic, market, operational, regulatory, and financial criteria.
• Strategy and Project Initiation: Turn priority opportunities into structured initiatives and lead their start-up until sustainable ownership and resources are established.
• Financial Projections and Modeling: Partner with Finance to build financial models, business cases, valuations, projections, and scenario analyses for growth investments.
• Strategic Fit Assessment: Assess whether potential initiatives align with the company’s mission, capabilities, relationships, culture, risk tolerance, financial goals, and long-term strategy.
• International Opportunity Development: Evaluate global livestock markets, entry strategies, regulatory and partner requirements, financial exposure, geopolitical risk, and operating feasibility.
• Executive Leadership and Influence: Partner with senior leaders to prioritize initiatives, align stakeholders, frame strategic choices, and support disciplined decisions.
• Business Growth Execution: Advance priority opportunities from concept through implementation by coordinating design, alignment, resources, performance tracking, and transition to operating owners.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Ability to combine strategic thinking, financial acumen, sound business judgment, and analytical discipline with clear executive communication and strong leadership. Bring a global perspective, translate opportunities into well-structured initiatives with measurable outcomes, and build trusted relationships that align stakeholders and advance high-value growth opportunities.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant business, agricultural, animal health, or related field required.
• An MBA, DVM, master’s degree, or comparable advanced degree is preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible business leadership experience in the livestock sector.
• Swine production knowledge is preferred; experience with poultry, cattle, or other livestock systems is beneficial.

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Lead cross-functional initiatives independently in a self-directed environment.
• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong self-motivation.
• Travel domestically and internationally to assess markets, conduct due diligence, engage partners, support negotiations, and advance initiatives.
• Exercise discretion, sound judgment, executive presence, biosecurity awareness, and effectiveness in complex, fast-moving environments.
• Ability to sit, stand, bend, kneel, and walk for extended periods.