Product Manager (Trader)

Hoogwegt; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Hoogwegt US is seeking an experienced Trader / Product Manager to own and grow a high-margin dairy protein portfolio within a globally supported organization.

The role blends strategic business development, market analysis, and relationship building with customers and suppliers, delivering end-to-end commercial deals across domestic and international markets.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of commercial experience within dairy ingredients, dairy proteins, specialized food ingredients, or adjacent protein industries.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a proven track record of building new business streams and driving growth independently.
• Relationship-driven approach focused on trust, technical understanding, and long-term value creation.
• Strong numerical and analytical capabilities, with ease in managing margins, pricing structures, and commercial data.
• Comfort in making sound, timely decisions in dynamic, fast-moving market environments.
• Collaborative attitude that prioritizes team outcomes and global business alignment alongside individual portfolio success.
• Willingness to travel frequently, primarily within the U.S., to engage with key customers, suppliers, and partners.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and capture commercial opportunities across the domestic and global dairy protein landscape.
• Build deep, long-term partnerships with food manufacturers, suppliers, and industry partners, acting as a trusted advisor on market trends, product functionality, and risk management.
• Oversee pricing strategies, profit margins, physical positions, and commercial risk to optimize overall portfolio profitability.
• Align commercial strategy with market demand and product availability, collaborating closely with third-party producers and our internal production teams.
• Drive commercial deals from end to end by working across logistics, quality, risk management, and global trading teams to ensure flawless execution.
• Analyze commercial data, pricing models, and market dynamics to navigate volatility and make sound, calculated commercial decisions.

Skills

Commercial dairy experience

Entrepreneurial

Relationship building

Analytical skills

Pricing & margins

Travel readiness

Job description

We are Hoogwegt. We’re the world’s largest privately owned dairy ingredient provider. Founded in the Netherlands in 1965, Hoogwegt has grown to become the world’s largest independent supplier of dairy products and ingredients, active in over 130 countries. Backed by a powerful global network and decades of market expertise, Hoogwegt US is scaling an ambitious commercial enterprise focused on high-value, functional dairy proteins.

We connect supply and demand across domestic and international markets, partnering with top-tier producers and scaling our own high-quality protein production. We are building a market-leading commercial engine, and we are looking for entrepreneurial commercial leaders to grow with us.

The role

We are seeking an experienced, high-caliber Trader / Product Manager to take ownership of a growing product portfolio and drive profitable expansion.

This role combines strategic business development, market analysis, and consultative relationship building. You will act as a commercial partner to customers and suppliers alike, understanding food applications, interpreting market mechanics, and taking complete ownership of building a sustainable, high-margin portfolio within a globally supported organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and capture commercial opportunities across the domestic and global dairy protein landscape.
• Build deep, long-term partnerships with food manufacturers, suppliers, and industry partners, acting as a trusted advisor on market trends, product functionality, and risk management.
• Oversee pricing strategies, profit margins, physical positions, and commercial risk to optimize overall portfolio profitability.
• Align commercial strategy with market demand and product availability, collaborating closely with third-party producers and our internal production teams.
• Drive commercial deals from end to end by working across logistics, quality, risk management, and global trading teams to ensure flawless execution.
• Analyze commercial data, pricing models, and market dynamics to navigate volatility and make sound, calculated commercial decisions.

Who are you?

• 8+ years of commercial experience within dairy ingredients, dairy proteins, specialized food ingredients, or adjacent protein industries.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a proven track record of building new business streams and driving growth independently.
• Relationship-driven approach focused on trust, technical understanding, and long-term value creation.
• Strong numerical and analytical capabilities, with ease in managing margins, pricing structures, and commercial data.
• Comfort in making sound, timely decisions in dynamic, fast-moving market environments.
• Collaborative attitude that prioritizes team outcomes and global business alignment alongside individual portfolio success.
• Willingness to travel frequently, primarily within the U.S., to engage with key customers, suppliers, and partners.

What We Offer

You will play a central role in driving the strategy and growth of our U.S. dairy protein business. Expect the agility and upside of an entrepreneurial business unit backed by the resources of a global market leader, along with clear opportunities to shape your scope and lead key portfolios as our U.S. footprint expands.

• Base salary plus an attractive performance-based bonus scheme.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company matching contributions.
• 21 PTO days annually, plus company-paid holidays.
• Complimentary access to the building's fitness center.

Our commitment to you

At Hoogwegt, we believe that our strength lies in our differences. We are a global community that thrives on a diversity of perspectives, and we warmly welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds. We strive to create a workplace where everyone feels at home and has the freedom to shape their own path. Come as you are, we look forward to meeting you.