Distillation Manager - Winter Haven, FL

ADM; Winter Haven (FL); On-site; USD 72,900 - 131,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Physical wellness benefits

Training and development

Job summary

ADM in Winter Haven, FL seeks a Plant Engineer with expertise in citrus ingredients processing to lead distillation operations and drive safety, quality, and efficiency on the shop floor.

You will oversee vacuum distillation units, manage schedules, mentor technicians, and collaborate with QA/QC to ensure strict compliance with food safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in chemical distillation or botanical extraction, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Direct experience with citrus oil processing, essential oils, or flavors/fragrances is highly preferred.
• Strong understanding of fractional distillation, mass transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermal processes.
• Familiarity with automated process control systems (DCS/SCADA/PLC).
• Strong analytical problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills, and a collaborative leadership style.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operation of vacuum distillation columns, fractionating units, strippers, and evaporators.
• Manage production schedules to meet customer demand and inventory targets.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives (Lean/Six Sigma) to reduce waste, shorten cycle times, and lower energy consumption.
• Supervise, train, and mentor distillation technicians and operators, fostering a culture of safety and accountability.
• Enforce strict adherence to OSHA regulations, hazardous material handling protocols, and environmental permits.
• Participate in capital expenditure (Cap-Ex) projects, including equipment upgrades and facility expansions.
• Maintain accurate production logs, inventory records, and regulatory documentation.
• Collaborate with QA/QC laboratory to monitor GC-MS results and sensory/analytical specs.
• Contribute to meeting food safety standards (GFSI, SQF, HACCP, GMP) and certifications where applicable.

Skills

Process optimization

Team leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Operational excellence

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or related field

Tools

DCS/SCADA/PLC

GC-MS analysis

Job description

• Oversee the daily operation of vacuum distillation columns, fractionating units, strippers, and evaporators.
• People Management – Plant Engineer and Pilot Plant lead Operator as direct reports.
• Optimize processing parameters (temperature, pressure, flow rates) to maximize yield and purity of citrus oils (e.g., orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit).
• Manage production schedules to meet customer demand and inventory targets.
• Develop process feed blends to meet customer requirements and optimize workflows.
• Collaborate with the QA/QC laboratory to monitor gas chromatography (GC-MS) results and physical properties (refractive index, specific gravity).
• Ensure all finished oils meet rigorous sensory (aroma, flavor) and analytical specifications for food and fragrance safety.
• Maintain strict compliance with food safety standards (GFSI, SQF, HACCP, GMP) and organic/kosher/halal certifications where applicable.
• Troubleshoot process deviations, equipment malfunctions, and yield variations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives (Lean/Six Sigma) to reduce waste, shorten cycle times, and lower energy consumption.
• Participate in capital expenditure (Cap-Ex) projects, including equipment upgrades and facility expansions.
• Supervise, train, and mentor distillation technicians and operators, fostering a culture of safety and accountability.
• Enforce strict adherence to OSHA regulations, hazardous material handling protocols, and environmental permits (air/wastewater emissions).
• Maintain accurate production logs, inventory records, and regulatory documentation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in chemical distillation or botanical extraction, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or management role. Direct experience with citrus oil processing, essential oils, or flavors/fragrances is highly preferred.
• Deep understanding of fractional distillation, mass transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermal processes.
• Familiarity with automated process control systems (DCS/SCADA/PLC).
• Strong analytical problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills, and a collaborative leadership style.

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operation of vacuum distillation columns, fractionating units, strippers, and evaporators.
• People Management – Plant Engineer and Pilot Plant lead Operator as direct reports.
• Optimize processing parameters (temperature, pressure, flow rates) to maximize yield and purity of citrus oils (e.g., orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit).
• Manage production schedules to meet customer demand and inventory targets.
• Develop process feed blends to meet customer requirements and optimize workflows.
• Collaborate with the QA/QC laboratory to monitor gas chromatography (GC-MS) results and physical properties (refractive index, specific gravity).
• Ensure all finished oils meet rigorous sensory (aroma, flavor) and analytical specifications for food and fragrance safety.
• Maintain strict compliance with food safety standards (GFSI, SQF, HACCP, GMP) and organic/kosher/halal certifications where applicable.
• Troubleshoot process deviations, equipment malfunctions, and yield variations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives (Lean/Six Sigma) to reduce waste, shorten cycle times, and lower energy consumption.
• Participate in capital expenditure (Cap-Ex) projects, including equipment upgrades and facility expansions.
• Supervise, train, and mentor distillation technicians and operators, fostering a culture of safety and accountability.
• Enforce strict adherence to OSHA regulations, hazardous material handling protocols, and environmental permits (air/wastewater emissions).
• Maintain accurate production logs, inventory records, and regulatory documentation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in chemical distillation or botanical extraction, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or management role. Direct experience with citrus oil processing, essential oils, or flavors/fragrances is highly preferred.
• Deep understanding of fractional distillation, mass transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermal processes.
• Familiarity with automated process control systems (DCS/SCADA/PLC).
• Strong analytical problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills, and a collaborative leadership style.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in chemical distillation or botanical extraction, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or management role. Direct experience with citrus oil processing, essential oils, or flavors/fragrances is highly preferred.
• Deep understanding of fractional distillation, mass transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermal processes.
• Familiarity with automated process control systems (DCS/SCADA/PLC).
• Strong analytical problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills, and a collaborative leadership style.

Preferred Requirements:

• 10+ years of experience leading a plant engaged in citrus ingredients processing using batch and continuous distillation.
• Experience with ERP systems, standard costing models and procurement;
• Continuous Improvement leadership and application of CI processes in a production environment;.
• Demonstrated scale-up experience and/or new technology development experience in a production environment;
• Experience with Quality Management Systems and QC lab testing and procedures;
• Direct experience managing a OSHA PSM compliant facility.

ADM requires the successful completion of a background check.

REF:111709BR

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.

The pay range for this position is expected to be between: $72,900.00 - $131,800.00.

Salaried Incentive Plan

The total compensation package for this position will also include annual bonus

Benefits And Perks

• 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).

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

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.

#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.

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.

Req/Job ID

111709BR