Operational Excellence Improvement Manager (M/F/D)

at  International Flavors Fragrances

Job Summary
The Pharma Solutions business will be taking on its next chapter of growth as a trusted partner for the pharmaceutical industry with the announcement to sell Pharma Solutions to Roquette. This move will position Pharma Solutions to expand its industry leadership through continued investment in innovation to meet the evolving needs of pharmaceutical manufacturers and developers worldwide.The sale is presently expected to close in the first half of 2025, pending regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. The Pharma Solutions business unit will remain a part of IFF until close and, at such time, it will transition to Roquette. In applying for this position, you acknowledge your awareness that the position is a part of the Pharma Solutions business unit and has been identified to transition to Roquette.
We’re now excited to welcome a new Operational Excellence Improvement Manager to our team! The Operational Excellence (MT) Improvement Manager (IE) will be part of a global team driving & supporting improvement initiatives in the Methocel (MC) network within the Pharma Solutions (PhS) Business Unit. The role will be based at our Stade or Bomlitz (Germany) site, however the IE will also be involved in network & initiatives in support of the Global Commercial function. The IE will report to the Methocel/Ethocel Global Improvement Leader (GIL) and up through the Operational Excellence function within PhS operations. The MC network consists of four production facilities in Midland & Plaquemine (USA), Bomlitz & Stade (Germany).

Your Responsibilities:

• Developing & driving Operational Excellence improvement initiatives and metrics at the site and across the network as appropriate.
• Act as a key contact point for process technology problems at the site.
• Execute process safety Dust & Process Hazard Analyses and lead implementation of required follow up.
• Identify, develop/execute medium to longer term, non-CapEx projects for productivity (cost & capacity), yield, quality, and sustainability improvement.
• Execute early Front End Loading (FEL) activity on appropriate CapEx projects (Grow & Improve, quality improvement, etc.) to include business case & scope development. Support detailed design, lead commissioning & start-up activities, RTO as appropriate.
• Develop & own site mass balances & models to understand yield improvement and debottlenecking opportunities.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions to address longer term production issues.
• Work with Methocel Technology Guardian to support process technology development.
• Work with the process R&D group to complete raw material & technology trials, new product scale up and execute DOE’s.
• Regular liaison with IE’s and production engineer’s at sister sites to leverage knowledge & experience on issue resolution and improvement activity.
• Mining & modelling process data to identify trends & changes, causes of variation, opportunities for improvement.
• Mentor other engineers within operations at the site and within the overall network.

Job Requirements

Your Required Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in manufacturing and engineering, preferably in Operations or Technology role.
• Fluent in English & German

Your Core Competencies:

• Statistical Modelling & Data Visualization Ability (hypothesis testing, regression, classification, modelling, Tableau, PowerBI, etc.)
• VBA, Python, discrete (e.g. FlexSim), etc. modelling ability preferred.
• Six sigma Green or Black Belt training preferred.
• Root cause corrective action mindset and desire to drive continuous improvement in safety, quality, and productivity.
• Strong problem solving skills with ability to find non-CapEx, low cost solutions to generate plant improvement in safety, quality, and productivity.
• Proven skills in developing project plans, lead project teams, deal with ambiguity and manage competing priorities.
• Interest in technology improvements and why & how things work.
• Ability to see big picture and think longer term.
• Proven skills to work across multiple functions within a site and the network at multiple levels of the organization including on Digital Improvement initiatives with the Continuous Improvement organization.
• Proven skills to drive through barriers and resistance to progress projects and improvement initiatives.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills and comfort around senior leadership.

IFF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability. Visit: https://www.iff.com/responsibilities/diversity-equity-inclusion to learn more.
We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.
Visit
IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion
to learn mor

• Developing & driving Operational Excellence improvement initiatives and metrics at the site and across the network as appropriate.
• Act as a key contact point for process technology problems at the site.
• Execute process safety Dust & Process Hazard Analyses and lead implementation of required follow up.
• Identify, develop/execute medium to longer term, non-CapEx projects for productivity (cost & capacity), yield, quality, and sustainability improvement.
• Execute early Front End Loading (FEL) activity on appropriate CapEx projects (Grow & Improve, quality improvement, etc.) to include business case & scope development. Support detailed design, lead commissioning & start-up activities, RTO as appropriate.
• Develop & own site mass balances & models to understand yield improvement and debottlenecking opportunities.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions to address longer term production issues.
• Work with Methocel Technology Guardian to support process technology development.
• Work with the process R&D group to complete raw material & technology trials, new product scale up and execute DOE’s.
• Regular liaison with IE’s and production engineer’s at sister sites to leverage knowledge & experience on issue resolution and improvement activity.
• Mining & modelling process data to identify trends & changes, causes of variation, opportunities for improvement.
• Mentor other engineers within operations at the site and within the overall network