Vp Product Development Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

Job ID: 528288

Ash Grove family of companies is one of North America’s leading cement manufacturers, with a legacy of innovation and excellence dating back to 1882. The company operates 12 world-class cement plants and a vast network of 41 terminals across the United States and Canada. Renowned for its forward-thinking approach, Ash Grove combines technical expertise, robust safety standards, and empowered talent to deliver high performance and better serve our customers. At Ash Grove, we stand together to reinvent the way our world is built.

To learn more about us go to www.ashgrove.com 

Job Summary

The Senior Vice President, Market Development and Technical Assistance is a senior leader responsible for driving revenue growth, expanding market presence and product line, and building long-term customer value across ACM's full portfolio of cementitious materials — including cement, slag cement, fly ash, FGD gypsum, natural pozzolans, and other alternative supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). This role provides strategic leadership across market development, business development, product development, technical sales, and customer solutions functions, translating market intelligence and customer insights into growth strategies that strengthen ACM's competitive position. The SVP, Market Development and Technical Assistance serves as a key member of the senior leadership team, partnering closely with Operations, Supply Chain, EHS, and Finance to align commercial strategy with organizational capabilities. The role requires deep expertise in cementitious materials markets, a strong external network, and the ability to build and lead high-performing commercial teams across a geographically distributed organization.

Job Responsibilities

• Develops and executes ACM's enterprise market development strategy, product mix, and marketing and geographic expansion priorities across all cementitious product lines.
• Leads market analysis, competitive intelligence, and demand forecasting to identify growth opportunities and inform strategic resource allocation.
• Defines and drives market development initiatives for emerging cementitious and SCM applications, including agricultural uses (FGD gypsum), infrastructure and sustainability-driven markets, and new end-use segments.
• Establishes ACM as a recognized thought leader in the cementitious materials space through industry engagement, technical publications, trade shows, and regulatory participation.
• Identifies, evaluates, and advances strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and acquisition opportunities that expand ACM's market access and product portfolio.
• Owns and drives market development and technical assistance across the commercial organization.
• Builds and maintains high-value customer relationships at the executive level across concrete producers, contractors, utilities, government agencies, agricultural distributors, and other key customer segments.
• Leads large and complex contract negotiations, pricing strategy, and long-term supply agreements in coordination with operations and finance.
• Drives new business development efforts, including identification of new customers, geographies, and end markets for existing and emerging cementitious and SCM products.
• Oversees the full sales cycle from prospecting through contract execution, ensuring alignment between commercial commitments and operational capabilities.
• Drives performance based product development through the end-to-end cycle including research, development, marketing, technical services and product improvement aligned with performance-based product development through the end-to-end cycle, including research, development, marketing, technical services, and product improvement, aligned with the capex development cycle, production capabilities, and go-to-market strategy.
• Champion a solutions-oriented commercial culture, integrating technical services and R&D resources to develop value-added offerings that differentiate ACM in the marketplace.
• Directs the Market Development & Technical Assistance team to support customer specifications, product qualification, mix design optimization, and regulatory compliance (state and federal licensing, tonnage reporting, BUDs).
• Oversees product stewardship and compliance for agricultural and specialty applications of FGD gypsum, natural pozzolans, and other SCMs, ensuring adherence to state, federal, and utility regulatory requirements.
• Leads the Research & Product Development function to align product innovation roadmaps with commercial market needs and customer feedback.
• Builds, leads, and develops a high-performing market development organization, including VP, Director, and Manager-level leaders across market development, marketing, business development, and technical services.
• Set clear performance expectations, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, and create individual development plans aligned to both organizational needs and career aspirations.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer focus, and continuous improvement across the commercial team.
• Partners with HR to attract, hire, and retain top commercial talent in a competitive market.
• Serves as the primary commercial voice on the senior leadership team, representing market and customer perspectives in operational, financial, and strategic planning processes.
• Collaborates with Supply Chain and Operations to align customer commitments with supply availability, logistics capabilities, and production planning.
• Works with Finance to develop commercial budgets, pricing models, and financial analyses that support strategic decision-making.
• Represents ACM externally with key stakeholders, including utilities, regulatory agencies, industry associations (ACA, ACAA, NRMCA, ASTM, NSSGA, ACI, ACPA, etc), and government bodies.
• Promotes and follows all aspects of ACM safety guidelines and serves as a consistent advocate for all safety programs and initiatives.

Job Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive commercial leadership experience in cementitious materials, fly ash, building materials, or related industrial sector; 5+ years in a senior leadership role with P&L responsibility and direct management of commercial teams
• Bachelors/Graduate degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, Agriculture, or related field.
• Deep knowledge of cement, slag cement, fly ash, FGD gypsum, natural pozzolans, and supplementary cementitious materials markets, applications, and supply chains.
• Understanding of concrete mix designs, ACI standards, ASTM/AASHTO standards, and construction industry specifications relevant to cement and cementitious products.
• Deep understanding and expertise in cementitious product development including research, development, testing, marketing, launch and iterative improvement life cycle.
• Familiarity with agricultural applications of FGD gypsum including soil amendment regulatory frameworks, state licensing requirements, and beneficial use determinations (BUDs).
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state environmental and agricultural regulations governing cementitious product sales and placement.
• Understanding of transportation logistics for trucking, rail, and barge relevant to bulk materials distribution.
• Proficiency in GIS and GPS tools for market mapping and opportunity analysis; advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 Suite and CRM platforms.
• Strong financial acumen with demonstrated experience managing P&L, developing budgets, and building business cases.
• Experience in contract negotiation, market strategy, and long-term supply agreement development for industrial or commodity materials.
• Track record of identifying and closing new market opportunities and building enduring customer relationships at the executive level.
• Ability to analyze market data, competitive intelligence, and financial performance to inform strategic decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to build, develop, and lead geographically distributed commercial teams across multiple functions and business lines.
• Exceptional executive presence with the ability to communicate a compelling commercial vision to internal and external audiences.
• Strong public speaking, presentation, and written communication skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across functions (Operations, Finance, EHS, R&D, Supply Chain) in a matrixed organization.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage competing priorities and lead multiple initiatives simultaneously across a complex organization.
• Travel 25-50% - Domestic and International

Compensation

• Salary range of $320,000 to $380,000/year
• 35% annual bonus target
• Long term incentive program
• 401(k) plan​ / group retirement savings program​
• Short-term and long-term disability benefits​​
• Life insurance​
• Health, dental, and vision insurance​
• Paid time off ​
• Paid holidays

What CRH Offers You

• Highly competitive base pay
• Comprehensive medical, dental and disability benefits programs
• Group retirement savings program
• Health and wellness programs
• An inclusive culture that values opportunity for growth, development, and internal promotion

About CRH

CRH has a long and proud heritage. We are a collection of hundreds of family businesses, regional companies and large enterprises that together form the CRH family. CRH operates in a decentralized, diversified structure that allows you to work in a small company environment while having the career opportunities of a large international organization.

If you’re up for a rewarding challenge, we invite you to take the first step and apply today! Once you click apply now, you will be brought to our official employment application. Please complete your online profile and it will be sent to the hiring manager. Our system allows you to view and track your status 24 hours a day. Thank you for your interest!

Ash Grove Cement, a CRH Company, is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

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