Plant Unit Leader – Innovation & Operations Lead

ISU Research Park; Boone (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Bayer seeks an experienced Unit Leader to oversee all manufacturing activities at the Boone, Iowa site, driving safe, cost-effective, and compliant production aligned with SOPs. The role requires staffing, scheduling, and supervising personnel, and delivering continuous improvements in cost savings, performance, and investments.

You will lead autonomous squads, promote innovation, manage priorities, and ensure regulatory compliance while coordinating with engineering and technology teams.

Qualifications

• BS in agriculture, an engineering discipline, Supply Chain Management, or a similar field with a minimum of 5 years of applicable experience, or a High School Diploma or equivalent with 8 years of applicable experience.
• Basic user knowledge of standard computer programs (Internet, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, tablets/smart devices)
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet company driving record guidelines
• Ability to pass a pre-employment physical
• Ability to work extended hours during peak seasons or when business needs require it
• Willingness and ability to work multiple shifts (days or nights)
• 5+ years' experience in managing and developing teams
• Leadership experience in manufacturing, supply chain, or the agriculture industry
• Skill in leading, managing conflict, and negotiating with cross-functional teams
• Ability to empower others while holding them accountable

Responsibilities

• Foster collaboration in a flat network of autonomous entrepreneurial squads and support their focus on mission to deliver beneficial outcomes for team members, customers, and stakeholders
• Add value by guiding Unit and squad development to deliver the best product and customer experience, enabling squads to run daily production activities and execute the daily production schedule
• Drive a culture of innovation by encouraging teams to generate, evaluate, and rapidly implement creative ideas while promoting onePSS activities and collaboration with partners and experts outside the Unit
• Serve as an escalation point for task and project prioritization, problem solving, continuous improvement, and conflict resolution, modeling VACC behaviors and prioritizing squad self-organization
• Optimize squad members' performance, development, and empowerment through DSO principles, promoting fluid talent and resource utilization within the Unit and ensuring outcome orientation
• Collaborate with internal and external networks to secure the support and resources needed for Unit success while ensuring Unit compliance and empowering squads as much as possible
• Facilitate the co-creation of a shared vision and higher purpose that resonate with customers, act as a visible change agent by removing obstacles and connecting different parts of the system, and help employees develop capabilities and mindsets to thrive and foster inclusion and empowerment
• Monitor site P&L and support teams in maintaining financial balance and alignment with business objectives

Skills

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Internet

Tablets/smart devices

Education

BS in agriculture or engineering or supply chain management

High School Diploma with 8 years experience

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Bayer seeks an experienced Unit Leader to oversee all manufacturing activities at the Boone, Iowa site, driving safe, cost-effective, and compliant production aligned with SOPs. The role requires staffing, scheduling, and supervising personnel, and delivering continuous improvements in cost savings, performance, and investments.

You will lead autonomous squads, promote innovation, manage priorities, and ensure regulatory compliance while coordinating with engineering and technology teams.