Plant Manager

Roquette; Keokuk (IA); On-site; USD 185,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Roquette in Keokuk, Iowa, is hiring a Plant Manager to lead all site operations, safety, production, maintenance and asset performance while driving accountability and continuous improvement. This role ensures the site delivers on safety, quality, service, cost and sustainability objectives.

The position requires a strong Lean Six Sigma background, strategic leadership, and the ability to work cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Quality, R&D, and Commercial teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or operations management.
• 15+ years of operational leadership in manufacturing.
• Minimum 5 years as a senior production leader/site manager.
• Experience with Lean Six Sigma and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead all manufacturing, production, maintenance, utilities, and EHS functions at Keokuk plant.
• Drive Lean Six Sigma projects and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Quality, R&D, and Commercial teams.
• Ensure safety, quality, service, cost, and sustainability objectives.

Skills

Operational leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Strategy development

Cost management

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or chemical engineering or operations management

MBA or Engineering degree

Job description

Roquette is a family‑owned global leader in plant‑based ingredients and a leading provider of pharmaceutical excipients. Want to help us make a difference? Using plant‑based resources, we collaborate with our customers and partners to imagine and offer ingredients to better feed people and treat patients. Each of our ingredients responds to unique and essential needs, and they enable healthier lifestyles. We are looking for our next Plant Manager to lead our Keokuk, IA Manufacturing Plant. The Plant Manager is responsible for full‑site leadership and oversight of all operational activities, safety, production, maintenance, asset performance, and organizational capability development. This leader drives a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, ensuring the Keokuk facility delivers on safety, quality, service, cost, and sustainability objectives. A strong change agent, the Plant Manager leads the transformation of work processes, organization maturity, and performance standards to meet future business needs. This position is located in Keokuk, Iowa.

Compensation:

The current salary range for this role is estimated to be $185,000 - $280,000. In addition, this position will also be eligible to earn short‑term and long‑term performance‑based incentive compensation. The specific compensation offered to a candidate will be influenced by a variety of factors including but not limited to skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

What You’ll Do:

Operational Leadership & Strategy

Lead and manage all manufacturing, production, maintenance, utilities, and EHS functions for the Keokuk facility with a strong focus on accountability and measurable performance. Champion a culture of operational discipline, continuous improvement, and data‑driven decision making. Apply strong technical expertise - including Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem solving to improve throughput, asset reliability, yield, and cost performance. Lead major change management initiatives, ensuring teams understand the “why,” adopt new ways of working, and sustain improvements.

Cross‑Functional Leadership

Partner closely with Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, R&D, and business teams to enable reliable end‑to‑end product flow. Drive customer‑back thinking and anticipate customer needs through proactive planning, scenario analysis, and risk management ensuring a strong partnership with the Commercial Team.

Continuous Improvement & Technical Rigor

Sponsors Lean Six Sigma projects and actively participate in frequent project reviews. Engages and focuses the organization on cycle time improvement through the application of Lean and Kaizen events. Be a change agent for developing key organizational capabilities to continue to improve performance, using such methodologies as Lean Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, as well as other key process and leadership changes / improvements. Implement and sustain operational excellence systems, metrics, and visual performance management.

People Leadership & Culture

Build a strong leadership bench by recruiting, developing, coaching, and retaining high‑performing talent. Drive a culture of accountability, empowerment, and open communication. Lead the organization through change effectively, demonstrating authenticity, clarity, and consistency.

EHS & Compliance

Maintain and continuously improve the site’s safety culture, ensuring compliance with Roquette’s expectations and regulatory requirements. Model and reinforce strong personal commitment to EHS and environmental sustainability.

What You’ll Need:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering (or relevant engineering field), or operations management required.
• An advanced degree (MBA or Engineering) preferred.

Experience:

• 15+ years of operational leadership in manufacturing; experience in corn wet milling or complex continuous chemical/food process manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Experience leading in a manufacturing environment including managing a large asset of size a scope compatible with Roquette’s platform.
• Minimum 5 years as a senior production leader/site manager in a relevant manufacturing environment.
• Expertise in strategy development, cost management, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to manage capital expenditures, budgeting and expense control, forecasting plant performance metrics.
• Demonstrated success in leading major change initiatives, improving production performance and cost structure.
• Ability to work effectively in a matrix organization.
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to EHS development and compliance.
• Experience working in an environment where there is clear collaboration with other functions including commercial, R&D, finance, etc. If from a large company, the executive must demonstrate the ability to work in a lean, fast‑paced environment, have a bias for action and focus on results.
• Key competencies of business acumen, intellectual horsepower, process management, managing diverse and challenging relationships.

AAP/EEO Statement

Roquette is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. “AAP, EEO, Drug‑Free Workplace”

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Roquette is proud to be a global company where you can find personal and professional growth through multiple diverse experiences.

Roquette strives to create a dynamic workforce while remaining firmly committed to equal opportunity by complying with EEO laws. As we continue to grow, Roquette understands that to be successful we must always be inclusive in our approach.

To find out more about our products, values and sustainable development ambitions visit us at www.roquette.com and at www.sustainability.roquette.com

Roquette is a global leader in sustainable plant‑based solutions, driving innovation and strong partnerships that are shaping the future of nutrition, health, and bioindustry. The company harnesses natural resources such as wheat, corn, seaweed, and cellulose to craft high‑performance ingredients used in everyday foods, oral medications, advanced biopharmaceuticals, and a range of bio‑based products. A family‑owned company with over 90 years of expertise and 11,000 employees, Roquette serves clients in over 150 countries and is committed to creating lasting value for customers, patients, consumers, and society. Together, we turn the potential of nature into the essentials of life.

Discover more about Roquette here.