Director of Operations - Envera

Lesaffre; Altoona (PA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Lesaffre seeks a Director of Operations to lead and optimize manufacturing across fermentation, drying, formulation, and packaging. You will drive safety, quality, and cost efficiency while guiding a 20–25 person team over two shifts.

The role requires evaluating new technologies and collaborating across Quality, R&D, and marketing to maintain a competitive edge. You will shape strategic growth initiatives, maintain lean processes, and lead capital expenditure projects in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in engineering, biotechnology, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years in a technical leadership role within environmental/biotech industries.
• Proven track record of improving production sites and ensuring safety.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize manufacturing operations including fermentation, drying, formulation, blending, utilities, and maintenance.
• Lead a team across shifts, drive safety, quality, and cost optimization.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality, and marketing to integrate capabilities and pursue continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Operational excellence

Project management

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Continuous improvement

Education

Advanced degree in engineering/biotech

Job description

Summary

For over 170 years, Lesaffre has been a pioneering force in the world of fermentation, harnessing the power of microorganisms to transform industries from baking to healthcare. As a key global player, we've built a presence in 96 countries, employing 11,000 passionate innovators who share our unwavering commitment to excellence.

Driven by our core values of passion, respect, trust, entrepreneurship, and humility, we're constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Our 3-billion-euro enterprise collaborates with visionary customers, partners, and researchers to develop essential nutrients and bioactives that strengthen human health, optimize animal well-being, and improve plant nutrition.

Job Description

Business Unit Overview

Envera develops and manufactures innovative microbial solutions to help clients achieve their business goals across a wide range of applications. From wastewater treatment for municipalities and industry to cleaning solutions for household and commercial use, Envera's products leverage the power of microbes to address challenges in bioremediation, water quality management, and solid waste treatment. Through the discovery, isolation, and industrial application of bacteria, Envera offers high-performing and sustainable products that benefit the lives of humans, animals, and plants. The company's mission is to leverage the power of microbes to create a more sustainable future.

Position Overview

The Director of Operations is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing and optimizing the entire manufacturing operations of the organization. The Director of Operations is accountable for driving operational excellence, improving efficiency, and ensuring the seamless production and delivery of high-quality products. As a key member of our executive leadership team, you will lead and direct strategic growth initiatives and contribute to the development of groundbreaking solutions.

Ideal Candidate Overview

Principal Duties

• Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to Lesaffre's safety‑first culture by strictly following all safety protocols and participating in required safety programs
• Manages and develops all manufacturing functions; fermentation, drying, formulation, blending, utilities, maintenance, lean manufacturing and regular CAPEX implementation.
• Oversees all product manufacturing and optimization:
  • People and asset Safety standards
  • Quality performance (all products manufactured match applicable quality standards)
  • Cost optimization
  • Maintenance for site and high level of OEE (overall equipment efficiency)
• Leads a team of 20-25 employees organized over two shifts.
• Identifies and evaluates emerging technologies, trends, and best practices in the industry to maintain our manufacturing on a competitive edge.
• Collaborates cross-functionally with business development, Quality, R&D and marketing teams to ensure seamless integration of technical capabilities.
• Fosters a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and knowledge-sharing within the technical team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in engineering, biotechnology, or a related technical field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in a technical leadership role within the environmental industry.
• Extensive experience in Biotech, High‑tech, Probiotics or Feed Manufacturing industries is required
• Proven track record of successfully driving performance and improvement of production site
• Exceptional problem‑solving, critical thinking, and decision‑making skills
• Results‑oriented, energetic, resourceful, with a strong service orientation and positive can‑do attitude. Continually striving for excellence.
• Balance multiple tasks and prioritize workload in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to navigate change and resolve conflict in a professional manner.
• Strong project management and team‑building capabilities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to travel 10% of the time.

Core Lesaffre Competencies

• Drives individual development: supports ones and people development; deals with complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity
• Drives team efficiency and energy: manages team efficiency and manages change
• Manages by example: maintain a professional attitude in all circumstances
• Visioning: sets the vision and defines strategies
• Inspiring: engages through a meaningful purpose; influences by a strong personal impact and convictions

Physical/Sensory Demands

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee will be required to bend, twist and use stairs/ladders. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 55 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee can be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particulates; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold; and extreme heat. The noise level requires the use of hearing protection in certain specified areas.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.