Strategic Business Development Manager, in Chicago IL / Boyceville WI / remotely.

Ohly is the third largest yeast extract producer in the world with sites in Germany and the USA. We develop, produce and deliver high-quality yeast-based flavours and specialty powders. Ohly is part of the $17.6bn turnover Associated British Food (ABF) Group. ABF is a broad portfolio of businesses which includes Primark, Ovaltine, Twinings, AB Enzymes, and is the world’s second largest producer of both sugar and baker’s yeast.

ABF takes a long-term perspective on investment and performance, and stimulates entrepreneurship by giving high degrees of autonomy to operational businesses. This means that decisions are taken as close as possible to their point of impact allowing teams the freedom to act, in order to be successfully flexible and fast. ABF invests a great deal in selecting and developing the right people for Ohly and the broader ABF group of companies.

Ohly has a great opportunity for a Strategic Business Development Manager to join our team in Chicago IL / Boyceville WI / remotely. 

Drive Innovation. Build New Platforms. Shape the Future of Ohly.

We are seeking a forward-thinking Strategic Business Development Manager to identify, develop, and scale new business platforms beyond our current core activities. This role is pivotal in unlocking adjacent market opportunities and translating them into sustainable, profitable growth for Ohly.

You will take ownership of emerging business areas—from ideation and strategy development through to execution and commercialization—leveraging existing expertise while pioneering new pathways.

In this exciting role you will:

Strategy & Growth Development

• Identify and assess adjacent market segments with strong business potential.
• Develop and execute go-to-market strategies for new business platforms.
• Define compelling value propositions (USP) and product portfolios based on market needs and internal capabilities.
• Own and drive nascent business areas, utilizing Ohly’s global resources.

Market Intelligence & Innovation

• Conduct and analyze market, customer, and competitor intelligence.
• Identify gaps and explore R&D, technical, or operational partnerships where needed.
• Drive new product development initiatives aligned with strategic objectives.

Commercialization & Market Access

• Build and develop sales channels to effectively reach target customers.
• Translate strategies into tangible business outcomes, ensuring revenue and profitability growth.

Leadership & Project Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional project teams as a functional leader (without direct disciplinary responsibility).
• Align stakeholders and ensure smooth collaboration across departments.
• Build a compelling business case to secure and scale dedicated resources (e.g., future sales roles reporting into you).
• Communicate objectives, progress, and challenges clearly across the organization.

You should have:

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree in Business Administration or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in strategy, business development, or a similar role
• Demonstrated track record of building or scaling business opportunities

Professional Expertise

• Strong strategic planning and business development capabilities
• Advanced skills in market and trend analysis
• Experience in application development coordination
• Solid business acumen with a commercial mindset
• Excellent presentation and communication skills

Methodological Skills

• Proven experience in project management
• Knowledge of risk management and decision-making frameworks

Personal & Social Competencies

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation and differentiation
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
• Deep understanding of applications, customers, and relevant technologies
• Collaborative team player with leadership presence

We look forward to your application including information about your earliest possible start date and salary expectations!