Technical Manager, R&D Ops Excellence Carbs - Decatur, IL

Technical Manager, R&D Ops Excellence Carbs - Decatur, IL

ADM is seeking a Technical Manager of R&D Operational Excellence – Carbohydrates Solutions to support and influence corn processing cost margins by improving operational capability via R&D initiatives. In this role, you will leverage deep technical and scientific knowledge of corn processing to develop R&D-based initiatives that reduce unit cost and drive the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Success in this position implements initiatives to create durable competitive advantage through higher asset productivity, lower variability, and improved cost discipline.

This role would partner with Operations (including Engineering and Technology center), Global Ops, Supply Chain, and Finance to reduce cost per unit, improve asset utilization, and embed a culture of continuous improvement. This role ensures that operational improvements translate into verified financial impact by bridging the scientific innovation of R&D with manufacturing execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support R&D initiatives to reduce cost per ton/unit across corn processing facilities by applying scientific process knowledge and novel R&D technologies.
• Lead and support R&D initiatives on yield variance using scientific principles and advanced data analytics.
• Identify and drive implementation of R&D initiatives that directly improve OEE, yield, labor productivity, and overhead absorption through rigorous technical analysis and advanced manufacturing integration.
• Drive waste elimination and by-product optimization through innovative technical solutions.
• Use standard productivity metrics and benchmarking across plants to evaluate the success of newly adopted technologies against established KPIs.
• Establish technical cost baselines and performance scorecards for R&D-driven corn processing operational initiatives.
• Ensure R&D lead initiatives identify high level countermeasures to ensure sustainment for project scale up.
• Partner with Finance and Operations to validate savings, prevent double counting, and track sustainment of R&D driven initiatives.
• Network with similar corn processing locations to promote replication, implementation and sustainment of high-impact R&D initiatives.

Qualifications & Competencies Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Sciences, Technology, with a strong preference for degrees in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Chemistry, or Food Science.
• 10+ years of experience in corn processing or similar manufacturing.
• Deep technical and scientific understanding of corn process manufacturing, reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and scale-up methodologies.
• Financial understanding of corn processing operational KPIs and their impact on P&Ls to support R&D driven initiatives.

Excited about this role but don't think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.

ADM requires the successful completion of a background check.