Enzymes Manager

Lallemand; Home (KS); Remote; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits seeks an Enzymes Manager to shape and execute our enzyme strategy across R&D, manufacturing, and commercial teams. You will identify new enzyme technologies, guide development, and translate innovations into commercial solutions driving growth.

The role supports remote work from North America. Lead cross-functional programs, perform techno-economic analyses, collaborate with CMOs and external partners, and present recommendations to leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related scientific discipline is required.
• 7–10 years of experience in enzyme development, industrial biotech, fermentation, or related fields.
• Experience leading cross-functional product development from concept to commercialization.
• Experience with CMOs, external R&D partners, and technical service providers.
• Experience performing techno-economic analyses and business case evaluations.
• Experience collaborating with commercial, operations and technical teams in a global environment.
• Strong knowledge of enzyme categories, testing, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to drive projects from concept to implementation with field engagement at customer sites and with CMOs/R&D facilities.
• Advanced MS 365 skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Develop enzyme product targets across biofuels and distilled spirits by translating market insights into commercialization priorities.
• Bridge R&D, suppliers, CMOs, and stakeholders to shape enzyme development strategies.
• Evaluate manufacturing options for site selection and estimate investment needs.
• Perform mass balance and techno-economic models to inform decisions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure product launches and market adoption.
• Support customers and sales with commercial expertise and participation in trials and validations.
• Build and maintain product development roadmaps and timelines.
• Monitor industry trends, technologies, and regulatory changes to identify opportunities.
• Present updates and strategies to leadership and key stakeholders.
• Support IP development including disclosures, patent evaluations, and tech assessments.
• Represent the company at internal and industry events, national and international.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Project management

Communication & presentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership & influence

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Fermentation Science, Biological Engineering, or related science

Tools

MS 365 (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, Outlook)

Job description

Main Functions

The Enzymes Manager will play a key role in driving the company’s strategic growth by shaping and executing its enzyme strategy. Serving as a bridge between R&D, manufacturing, commercial teams, and external partners, this role will identify and explore new enzyme technologies and opportunities, guide their development, and help transform promising innovations into commercial solutions that support the company’s long-term growth.

The position can also be remote from Canada and Brazil.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop enzyme product targets across biofuels and distilled spirits industries by translating market, application, and field insights into commercialization priorities;
• Serve as the bridge between R&D, enzyme suppliers, CMOs, service providers, and LBDS/Lallemand stakeholders to drive internal and external enzyme development strategies;
• Evaluate manufacturing options for production site selection and model potential investment needs to meet product requirements;
• Undertake mass balance across enzyme production platforms and develop techno-economic models to inform decision making;
• Collaborate with stakeholder groups to ensure successful product launch and market adoption;
• Support customer and sales opportunities by providing commercial expertise and participating in customer meetings, trials, and validation activities as needed;
• Build and maintain product development roadmaps, timelines, and project priorities to support business objectives;
• Monitor and report on industry trends, emerging technologies, competitive activities, and regulatory developments to identify innovation opportunities;
• Present project updates, recommendations, and innovation strategies to leadership and key stakeholders;
• Support intellectual property development, including invention disclosures, patent evaluations, and technology assessments when appropriate;
• Attend and represent the company at internal and industry events, both nationally and internationally, as required;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Technical skills

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Fermentation Science, Biological Engineering, or a related scientific discipline is required;
• 7-10 years of experience in enzyme development, industrial biotechnology, fermentation, biofuels, bioprocessing, or a related industry;
• Experience leading cross-functional product development projects from concept through commercialization;
• Experience working with contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs), external R&D partners, and technical service providers;
• Experience performing techno-economic analyses, business case development, and technology evaluations;
• Experience collaborating with commercial, operations, and technical teams in a global environment;
• Strong technical knowledge of enzyme categories, R&D, applications testing and manufacturing, including core engineering principles around fermentation and separation unit operations;
• Demonstrated ability to drive projects from concept to implementation with engagement in the field at customer sites, CMOs and R&D facilities;
• Advanced MS 365 skills, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams and Outlook.

An asset

• Master's degree or PhD in a related field is preferred

Personal abilities

Required

• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to balance technical and commercial considerations;
• Excellent project management and organizational skills;
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage technical and non-technical audiences;
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse internal and external stakeholder groups;
• Demonstrated leadership and influence skills in a matrixed, cross-functional environment;
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing business needs.

General criteria

Required

• Valid driver's license required;
• Travel is required for up to 30% of working time to attend events, customer visits, and meetings.

Organization

Lallemand is a privately held Canadian company founded in the late 19th century, which develops, produces, and markets microorganisms for various markets. The administrative offices of the parent company are in Montreal, Canada. Today, Lallemand employs more than 6,500 people working in more than 45 countries on 5 continents.

Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits is a leading fermentation ingredients supplier (yeast, yeast nutrients, and antimicrobials) for both the bioethanol and distilled spirits markets. Our clients depend on Lallemand ingredients for their fermentation processes as well as consulting and training services for those sectors.

Supported by an extensive network of warehouses, Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits' main office is located in the United States, with satellite branches worldwide.

In both the biofuel and spirits industries, the team behind the operation demonstrates an unparalleled sense of innovation, aiming to provide the best possible quality of fermentation.

Please take note that accommodations will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.