Application Solutions Manager

Kemin; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

401k match

Paid vacation

On-site fitness center

Restaurant options

Tuition reimbursement

Community initiatives

Job summary

Kemin seeks a Manager to lead the Kemin Application Solutions (KAS) team. This role oversees operations, strategy, and performance while driving safety, supplier negotiations, and a high-performing culture.

The Manager will execute the department's strategic plan and collaborate across functions to deliver customer solutions. The ideal candidate has engineering leadership experience, strong decision-making, and a proven ability to mentor teams in a complex, multi-site environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelors or Masters degree with required years of experience.
• ERP software proficiency required.
• Strong leadership and communication skills needed.

Responsibilities

• Oversee KAS operations across multiple locations/regions.
• Mentor and develop the team.
• Forecast and pre‑plan KAS projects and resources.
• Manage 3rd party contractors.
• Standardize KAS applications across regions.
• Develop and enforce safety procedures.
• Negotiate with suppliers.
• Execute the department's strategic plan.
• Coordinate with Sales, CLS, PMs, Maintenance, R&D, Purchasing, and Customer Contact.
• Prepare training/workshops for local engineers.
• Prepare promotional material for local engineers.
• Promote KAS as a sales tool.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Decision making

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelors degree in Engineering

Masters degree

Tools

ERP software

Job description

Overview

Kemin is seeking a Manager to lead our Kemin Application Solutions (KAS) team! In this role, you will oversee the overall operations, strategy, and performance of the KAS department, ensuring alignment with business objectives while driving operational excellence. As the KAS Manager, you will champion a strong safety culture by developing, implementing, and maintaining compliance with all safety policies and procedures. You will play a critical role in executing the department's strategic vision, managing supplier relationships and negotiations, and fostering a high-performing team focused on delivering exceptional customer solutions.

Because this position has a direct impact on customer satisfaction and business retention, the ideal candidate is a proactive problem solver who can quickly address challenges, resolve customer concerns, and build strong, lasting relationships. Success in this role requires strong leadership, sound decision-making, strategic thinking, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Join the Kemin Team and Transform Lives!

We are a privately held, family-owned-and-operated global biotechnology company driven by curiosity and committed to transforming the quality of life for people, pets, and the planet.

We create solutions that strengthen health and wellbeing, provide nutrition and immune support for pets and production animals, safeguard the planet’s natural resources, and protect the global food supply chain for generations to come.

We supply over 500 specialty ingredients for various industries, including human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textiles, biofuels, and animal vaccines.

We employ 3,500 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Italy, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, and the United States.

As a valued member of our team, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial, physical, and professional well-being:

• Competitive Financial Package: Enjoy a rewarding salary, uncapped bonus opportunities, a 401k match program, and generous paid vacation and holidays.
• Health and Wellness Support: Stay fit and healthy with our fitness reimbursement for the whole family, access to an on-site fitness center, a restaurant offering seasonal fresh food options, and free fresh fruit in break areas.
• Career Development and Advancement: Unlock your potential with opportunities for growth and development throughout your entire career.
• Continued Learning Opportunities: Grow your skills with our in‑house learning platforms, offering thousands of training resources both live and online, and take advantage of tuition reimbursement for external post‑secondary pursuits.
• Service Opportunities: Make a positive impact with paid time off for service, partnerships with The World Food Programme and Habitat for Humanity, and local community initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for overall KAS operation of multiple locations/regions.
• Manage, mentor, and develop Team.
• Responsible for overall forecasting and pre‑planning on KAS projects and resources.
• Responsible for managing 3rd party contractors
• Responsible for standardizing of KAS applications across multiple regions
• Responsible for developing and staying in compliance with all safety procedures.
• Must be self‑sufficient in negotiation with suppliers
• Responsible for the execution of the overall strategic plan of the department.
• Prepare production planning.
• KAS overall strategic planning.
• Manage overall cost within budget.
• Work with other departments such as, but not limited to Kemin Sales persons, CLS, Product Managers, Maintenance Staff, R&D, Purchasing, and Customer Contact.
• Prepare training and workshops for local engineers.
• Prepare promotional material for local engineers.
• Promote KAS as a sales tool.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience:
  • Bachelors degree in Engineering with 7-10 years of experience OR
  • Masters degree with 5+ years of experience
• Ability to use ERP software to manage stock.
• Ability to think intuitively.
• Flexibility and quick decision making.
• Effective communication including to support the resolution of customer complaints.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrate leadership skills and effective managerial capability of several projects.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed/religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status (where applicable), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy/childbirth/breastfeeding or related conditions, age (40+), disability (including the use of a service animal), genetic information, marital status, familial or caregiver status, military or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, reproductive health decision‑making, and any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also prohibit retaliation for raising concerns or participating in an EEO process. Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview can email [e-mail].

A post-offer background check and drug screen is required. Additional pre-employmentrequirementsmay be necessarybased onposition.

Kemin is a drug-free and tobacco-free campus.

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