Technical Manager, R&D Ops Excellence Carbs - Decatur, IL

Archer Daniels Midland Company; Newman; On-site; AUD 185,000 - 257,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Physical wellness

Financial wellness

Mental and social wellness

Job summary

ADM seeks a Technical Manager of R&D Operations Excellence in Carbs to drive cost reduction across corn processing by applying advanced R&D methods and process improvements. You will influence asset productivity and cost discipline through scientific capabilities and manufacturing integration.

The role partners with Operations, Global Ops, Supply Chain and Finance to translate R&D innovations into verified financial savings and sustained performance, with a focus on scale-up and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Sciences or Technology required; strong preference for Chemical/Process Engineering, Chemistry or Food Science.
• 10+ years of experience in corn processing or similar manufacturing.
• Deep technical understanding of corn process manufacturing, reaction engineering, thermodynamics and scale-up methodologies.
• Financial understanding of corn processing KPIs and their impact on P&Ls to support R&D initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support R&D initiatives to reduce cost per ton/unit across corn processing facilities.
• Lead and support R&D initiatives on yield variance using data analytics.
• Identify and drive R&D initiatives that improve OEE, yield, labor productivity, and overhead absorption.
• Drive waste elimination and by-product optimization through innovative technical solutions.
• Use productivity metrics and benchmarking to evaluate adoptions against KPIs.
• Establish technical cost baselines and scorecards for R&D-driven initiatives.
• Ensure R&D initiatives have sustainment plans for scale-up.
• Partner with Finance and Operations to validate savings and track sustainment.
• Network with other corn processing locations to promote replication and sustainment.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Sciences, Technology

Strong preference for Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Chemistry, or Food Science

10+ years of experience in corn processing or similar manufacturing

Financial understanding of corn processing operational KPIs

Job description

Technical Manager, R&D Ops Excellence Carbs - Decatur, IL

ADM is seeking a Technical Manager of R&D Operational Excellence - Carbohydrates Solutions to support and influence corn processing cost margins by improving operational capability via R&D initiatives. In this role, you will leverage deep technical and scientific knowledge of corn processing to develop R&D-based initiatives that reduce unit cost and drive the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Success in this position implements initiatives to create durable competitive advantage through higher asset productivity, lower variability, and improved cost discipline.

This role would partner with Operations (including Engineering and Technology center), Global Ops, Supply Chain, and Finance to reduce cost per unit, improve asset utilization, and embed a culture of continuous improvement. This role ensures that operational improvements translate into verified financial impact by bridging the scientific innovation of R&D with manufacturing execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support R&D initiatives to reduce cost per ton/unit across corn processing facilities by applying scientific process knowledge and novel R&D technologies.
• Lead and support R&D initiatives on yield variance using scientific principles and advanced data analytics.
• Identify and drive implementation of R&D initiatives that directly improve OEE, yield, labor productivity, and overhead absorption through rigorous technical analysis and advanced manufacturing integration.
• Drive waste elimination and by-product optimization through innovative technical solutions.
• Use standard productivity metrics and benchmarking across plants to evaluate the success of newly adopted technologies against established KPIs.
• Establish technical cost baselines and performance scorecards for R&D-driven corn processing operational initiatives.
• Ensure R&D lead initiatives identify high level countermeasures to ensure sustainment for project scale up.
• Partner with Finance and Operations to validate savings, prevent double counting, and track sustainment of R&D driven initiatives.
• Network with similar corn processing locations to promote replication, implementation and sustainment of high-impact R&D initiatives.

Qualifications & Competencies

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Sciences, Technology, with a strong preference for degrees in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Chemistry, or Food Science.
• 10+ years of experience in corn processing or similar manufacturing.
• Deep technical and scientific understanding of corn process manufacturing, reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and scale-up methodologies.
• Financial understanding of corn processing operational KPIs and their impact on P&Ls to support R&D driven initiatives.

ADM requires the successful completion of a background check.

REF:110419BR Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours.

If hired, employees will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Benefits and Perks

Enriching the quality of life for the world begins by taking care of our colleagues. In addition to competitive pay, we support your diverse needs with a comprehensive total rewards package to enhance your well-being, including:

• Physical wellness – medical/Rx, dental, vision and on-site wellness center access or gym reimbursement (as applicable).
• Financial wellness – flexible spending accounts, health savings account, 401(k) with matching contributions and cash balance plan, discounted employee stock purchasing program, life insurance, disability, workers’ compensation, legal assistance, identity theft protection.
• Mental and social wellness – Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Colleague Giving Programs (ADM Cares).

Additional benefits include:

• Paid time off including paid holidays.
• Adoption assistance and paid maternity and parental leave.
• Tuition assistance.
• Company-sponsored training and development resources, such as LinkedIn Learning, language training and mentoring programs.

*Benefits may vary for bargained locations, confirm benefit eligibility with your recruiter.

#IncludingYou

Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are cornerstones of ADM's efforts to continue innovating, driving growth, and delivering outstanding performance. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and create welcoming, truly inclusive work environments - environments that enable every ADM colleague to feel comfortable on the job, make meaningful contributions to our success, and grow their career. We respect and value the unique backgrounds and experiences that each person can bring to ADM because we know that diversity of perspectives makes us better, together.

We welcome everyone to apply. We are committed to ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, language, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About ADM

At ADM, we unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide. With industry-advancing innovations, a complete portfolio of ingredients and solutions to meet any taste, and a commitment to sustainability, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional challenges of today and tomorrow. We're a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company. Our breadth, depth, insights, facilities and logistical expertise give us unparalleled capabilities to meet needs for food, beverages, health and wellness, and more. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we enrich the quality of life the world over. Learn more at www.adm.com.