Vice President, Human Resources

We make pet food taste great! For over 30 years, AFB International has been providing pet food solutions that enrich the lives of pets and their people.  Our palatants are specially designed to make pet foods, treats and supplements taste better, ensuring pets receive the vital nutrients they need. We know wagging tails, licking whiskers and empty bowls equal happy pets and happy pet parents. Join AFB and you'll be a part of a team of highly skilled professionals that provide the greatest contribution to our success as an organization. Our team members are diverse, creative, passionate experts who are genuinely dedicated to our mission, our customers, and the pets we serve worldwide. ​

Job Description

About AFB International:
AFB International is a global leader in pet food palatability, partnering with manufacturers to develop high-performance palatants that make food, treats, and supplements taste great for dogs and cats. With headquarters in St. Charles, Missouri, and facilities across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific, AFB combines scientific rigor with technical excellence to serve a diverse customer base.

A subsidiary of Ensign-Bickford Industries, a long-standing privately held company with a diversified portfolio spanning science, technology, and manufacturing, AFB is also a dynamic, growth-oriented organization committed to operational excellence across global markets. We are seeking a transformative, high-energy HR leader to drive our people strategy, strengthen our culture of performance and innovation, and support our continued global growth.

Role Summary:
The Vice President of Human Resources will serve as a strategic business leader of the executive team, shaping and executing HR initiatives that enhance organizational performance, leadership development, and workforce engagement. The ideal candidate combines executive presence, business acumen, and an action-oriented mindset to accelerate strategy implementation, foster continuous improvement, and optimize talent across the enterprise.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and execute HR strategies that drive measurable business outcomes and support long-term growth.
• Lead programs across talent acquisition, leadership development, organizational design, succession planning, and M&A HR integration.
• Be a steward of our unique culture, operating system (EBOS) and Core Values.
• Act as a trusted and integral part of High Performing Leadership Team.
• Leverage HR analytics and key performance metrics (Time-to-Fill, Engagement Scores, Attrition, Succession White Space) to inform decisions, measure ROI, and elevate accountability.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives in alignment with Core Value Drivers (Internal Fill Rate, Retention, On-Time Delivery & Quality, CAGR, OMX Expansion).
• Build and mentor high-performing HR and leadership teams to ensure sustainable organizational success.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Senior HR executive with 7+ years of leadership experience at the Senior Director or VP level, ideally having led HR strategy for a $500M+ organization.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field; Preferred – Master’s degree (MBA or Human Resources Management).
• Multi-industry and/or multi-business experience within continuous improvement environments
• Proven practitioner of structured problem-solving and continuous improvement methodologies, with a track record of addressing complex business challenges and driving measurable results.
• Strong global HR perspective, ideally managing teams across regions such as EU, Thailand, Brazil, or comparable markets.
• Exceptional business acumen, with the ability to translate operational needs into workforce strategies that deliver measurable business impact.
• High-energy, entrepreneurial leader with executive presence, unquestioned integrity, and a highly collaborative mindset.

Why Join AFB International:

• Lead HR at a global, science-driven organization with a mission to make pet food and supplements taste great for pets worldwide.
• Shape organizational strategy and culture while partnering directly with senior executives.
• Drive initiatives that directly impact talent, performance, and long-term business success.
• Thrive in an innovative, high-energy, continuous improvement culture where your leadership will make a lasting impact.

If you are a strategic, results-driven HR leader ready to make a meaningful impact in a global, growth-oriented organization, we encourage you to apply online and share your experience with us.

AFB International is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.