Global Business Development Manager - Crop Productivity
Northbrook, IL, US, 60062
Job Description
We are seeking a Global Business Development Manager to lead strategic growth initiatives for our Crop Productivity Business Unit. This role is ideal for a collaborative leader with deep expertise in agriculture markets, biological actives, and crop productivity, who thrives in dynamic environments and is passionate about driving innovation through new and existing business models. This position requires 15–25% travel and offers the opportunity to shape the future of sustainable agriculture through cross-functional collaboration and entrepreneurial leadership.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive growth in existing segments and develop new business solutions based on market insights and adjacent opportunities.
- Aggregate and communicate voice of customer, industry trends, regulatory changes, and competitive intelligence.
- Promote a culture of innovation by facilitating ideation with cross-functional teams to identify and validate new concepts, ideas, and solutions.
- Successfully pitch new projects with compelling value propositions resulting in a robust pipeline of opportunities.
- Align innovation with customer needs (Problem-Solution Fit).
- Validate solutions with customers (Product-Market Fit).
- Scale and optimize solutions (Business-Model Fit).
- Create ecosystems with strategic partners and form alliances that generate value through new business models.
Key Competencies
- Collaboration: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
- Managing Ambiguity: Comfortable navigating uncertainty and driving clarity in complex environments.
- Managing Complexity: Makes sense of complex, high quantity and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
- Change Management: Skilled in leading transformation and fostering adoption of new business models.
- Entrepreneurial Drive: Self-starter with a growth mindset. Takes ownership for results and overcomes obstacles.
- Exceptional Communication & Storytelling: Able to craft and deliver persuasive narratives that inspire action.
- Digital Fluency: Proficient in leveraging AI and digital tools for market analysis and strategic decision-making.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of business experience in the Crop Productivity segment; 10+ years preferred.
- Strong business development acumen and experience identifying and delivering technologies that support growth and acquisition strategies.
- Experience working in a matrixed, global environment.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a metrics-driven mindset.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
- Ability to synthesize customer insights into actionable strategies.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Science, Agronomy, or a related field; MBA preferred.
Pay Range: $144,000 - $195,000
The salary range for this position is determined by considering a variety of factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and the location of the position.
At Stepan Company our comprehensive benefits package includes:
- Discretionary Bonus
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401K with Match
- Profit Sharing
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD / LTD)
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Adoption Assistance
- Reactions – Recognition Program
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
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Stepan Company does not accept or retain unsolicited resumes or phone calls and/or respond to them or to any third party representing job seekers.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Established in 1932, Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of basic and intermediate chemicals including surfactants, polymers, as well as specialty ingredients that go into consumer, household, and institutional products such as laundry detergents, shampoos, and surface cleaners. Stepan Company currently has 22 global manufacturing locations and over 2,500 employees. We have a strong record of growth. Our growth allows us to provide meaningful career opportunities and stability to our team members. We have big goals at Stepan and know every team member will be crucial to achieving our objectives. Regardless of function, we are looking for team members who bring with them a growth mindset, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to thrive in an evolving environment.
We celebrate diversity at Stepan and are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Nearest Major Market: Chicago