Managing Director - Calibra

Covetrus is a global animal-health technology and services leader dedicated to empowering veterinary practice partners to drive improved health and financial outcomes. We bring together products, services, and technology into a single platform that connects our customers to the solutions and insights they need to work best. Our passion for the well-being of animals and those who care for them drives us to advance the world of veterinary medicine. 

Managing DIrector, Calibra Pet Nutritition

Location: Remote-based, with regular travel to Brno, Czech Republic

The opportunity

Calibra is entering an important new stage of its growth.

We are looking for an experienced and commercially driven Managing Director to lead the business, strengthen its position and take the brand into new markets, channels and customer segments.

This is a true business leadership role with full P&L accountability. You will own the strategy, financial performance and future direction of Calibra, balancing ambitious growth with strong commercial discipline and operational delivery. You will also be part of the Executive Leadership Team, working collaboratively across the wider Covetrus organisation.

The opportunity goes well beyond growing through existing Covetrus relationships. A core priority will be expanding Calibra’s presence across specialist retail, e-commerce, marketplaces and selected external distribution partnerships, while protecting the credibility and positioning of the brand.

What you will lead

You will:

• Own and execute the Calibra business strategy, creating a prioritised European expansion plan supported by clear market-level business cases.
• Take full responsibility for revenue, gross margin, profitability and EBITDA growth.
• Identify where Calibra can win and make commercially disciplined decisions about the markets, channels and partnerships worth pursuing.
• Build the retail and e-commerce strategy, including marketplaces, retailer platforms and direct-to-consumer opportunities where commercially viable.
• Develop the right pricing, margin, trade-term and channel models to support profitable growth without undermining existing veterinary and Covetrus channels.
• Strengthen brand awareness and preference among both pet owners and pet professionals.
• Shape the product portfolio and innovation pipeline in partnership with Product Development and Quality.
• Ensure Manufacturing, Quality and Customer Service can support growth reliably, efficiently and at the right cost.
• Use data, market insight and AI-enabled technology to accelerate marketing, product development and decision-making.
• Lead, develop and strengthen a multidisciplinary team across commercial, marketing, operations, production, customer service, project management, product development and quality.
• Contribute actively to the Executive Leadership Team, providing clear forecasts, transparent reporting.

What success will look like

You will:

• Established a clear growth strategy and agreed the priority market sequence and supporting business cases.
• Defined the retail and e-commerce strategy, selected priority partners and launched the first new retail and online channels.
• Delivered against revenue, gross margin and EBITDA commitments, with a credible path to sustainable year-on-year growth.

What you will bring

We are looking for a commercially sharp and entrepreneurial leader who can move comfortably between strategy and execution.

You will bring:

• At least 10 years of senior leadership experience, including full P&L responsibility.
• Strong experience within the animal health industry.
• A proven record of expanding a business or brand into new international markets.
• Direct experience of growing brand sales through retail and e-commerce, not solely through owned or group distribution channels.
• International leadership experience, including responsibility for geographically dispersed teams.
• Confidence operating within a complex matrix organisation.
• Experience building investment cases and presenting recommendations for senior approval.

Experience within pet food manufacturing, whether directly operated or outsourced, would be advantageous. Czech language capability would also be beneficial but is not essential.

You will combine:

• Commercial judgement: The ability to identify where Calibra can genuinely win and focus investment on the opportunities that matter.
• Financial discipline: A strong grasp of returns, margins, pricing and the economics behind growth.
• Brand leadership: An understanding of what makes a brand relevant to customers and how to communicate that proposition with clarity.
• Decisive people leadership: The confidence to set expectations, develop talent and address performance or capability gaps early.
• Influence and collaboration: The ability to build trusted relationships across functions, countries and external partners.
• Cultural agility: Comfort leading across markets, cultures and competing priorities without losing momentum.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of an established animal health brand at a pivotal point in its journey.

You will have the platform of Covetrus behind you, together with the freedom and accountability to shape where Calibra goes next. The opportunity is significant: strengthen the core business, expand into new markets, build new retail and digital channels, and make Calibra increasingly relevant to pet owners and pet professionals.

If you are a commercially ambitious leader who understands animal health, brand growth and international expansion, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today and help shape the next chapter of Calibra Pet Nutrition.

Covetrus is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.