VP Operations – Protein Solutions

IFF

VP Operations leading global manufacturing network for Protein Solutions and Taura at IFF. Driving operational excellence and strategic initiatives across multiple sites in the United States.

Posted 6/13/2026full-timeWilmington • Montana • 🇺🇸 United StatesLeadWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the end-to-end manufacturing network for Protein Solutions and Taura, driving safe, reliable, cost-effective, and customer-focused operations across a multi-site footprint.
Develop and execute the manufacturing strategy in support of business growth, customer requirements, and long-term competitiveness.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives across the network to improve safety, quality, service, cost, productivity, and asset performance.
Optimize the manufacturing footprint, capacity, and asset utilization, including capital planning, expansion, rationalization, and productivity improvement.
Own the manufacturing budget and capital plan, delivering productivity, cost discipline, and strong return on investment.
Ensure all operations meet company, regulatory, environmental, food safety, and quality standards across all sites.
Lead and develop plant managers and site leadership teams, strengthening capability, accountability, engagement, and succession across the network.
Accelerate adoption of manufacturing technologies, automation, and digital tools that improve visibility, control, reliability, and performance.
Partner closely with Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Finance, Research and Development (R&D), and commercial teams to align manufacturing capabilities with business priorities and customer needs.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related field.
15+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including significant responsibility for plant operations, quality, engineering, Environment, Health and Safety (EHS), and continuous improvement.
Proven experience leading complex, multi-site manufacturing operations in a matrixed global organization.
Strong track record of delivering operational excellence, productivity, cost improvement, and cultural transformation in complex industrial environments.
Experience in food ingredients, chemicals, or other regulated process manufacturing environments.
Strong financial acumen, including experience managing operating budgets, capital plans, productivity pipelines, and performance against financial targets.
Demonstrated ability to develop leaders, build high-performing teams, and drive organizational capability and succession planning.
Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to align multiple stakeholders and create buy-in around manufacturing strategies.
Ability to travel regularly to manufacturing sites domestically and internationally, as needed.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Opportunity to lead a nine-plant manufacturing network across two business segments.
High-impact scope to shape operations strategy in support of growth, customer needs, and financial objectives.
Broad leadership exposure through partnership with Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Finance, business leadership, and commercial teams.
Opportunity to drive network performance, productivity, capacity planning, and continuous improvement at scale.
Strong platform to influence digital adoption, automation, and cultural transformation across multiple sites.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

manufacturing strategycontinuous improvementcapital planningbudget managementasset utilizationoperational excellenceproductivity improvementfood safety standardsregulatory compliancemanufacturing technologies

Soft Skills

leadershipteam developmentcommunicationinfluencingstakeholder alignmentorganizational capabilitycultural transformationengagementaccountabilitysuccession planning