Corn Wet Milling Technology Manager - Decatur, IL; Clinton, IA; or Cedar Rapids, IA
This is an exempt level position.
Position Summary
The Corn Wet Milling Technology Manager supports plant process areas related to the production and optimization of starches, sweeteners, corn oil, gluten feed, gluten meal, ethanol, and other corn-derived co-products within corn wet milling operations.
Primary process areas include:
Corn receiving, handling, and storage
Steeping and sulfur dioxide systems
Germ separation and corn oil recovery
Fiber washing and separation
Gluten separation and protein concentration
Starch washing and purification
Starch conversion and sweetener production
Evaporation, drying, and co-product systems
These products and systems are produced through core unit operations such as:
Size reduction and milling
Steeping and extraction processes
Centrifugation and separation technologies
Hydro cyclone starch washing systems
Evaporation and thermal drying
Enzymatic starch conversion
Heat integration and utility systems
Water treatment, CIP, and chemical treatment systems
This role focuses on continuous improvement, optimization, and reliability of corn wet milling facilities, while collaborating across multiple sites to standardize best practices and drive operational performance.
The Technology Manager will lead plant and organizational engineers in the application of engineering principles to process design, troubleshooting, debottlenecking, and deployment of new technologies, ensuring plant systems operate at safe, optimal, and cost-effective conditions.
This position plays a key role in achieving capacity expansion, yield maximization, product quality improvements, energy reduction, water conservation, and manufacturing cost reduction objectives.
Essential Job Functions
Demonstrate technology leadership and promote a strong process safety and operational excellence culture.
Benchmark wet milling performance (yield, recovery, energy, water usage, and reliability) against internal and external best-in-class operations and drive improvements.
Standardize and replicate best practices across wet milling sites, including steeping performance, starch recovery, gluten separation efficiency, and drying operations.
Manage and prioritize a portfolio of process improvement, debottlenecking, and capital projects across site operations.
Collaborate with corporate and plant teams to align on technology deployment, modernization, digitalization, and automation opportunities.
Evaluate and implement new process technologies related to starch extraction, separation systems, corn oil recovery, sweetener production, energy efficiency, and water management.
Provide hands-on support in troubleshooting process bottlenecks including steep losses, starch recovery challenges, separation inefficiencies, evaporation constraints, and product quality variations.
Establish and track KPIs including starch yield, product recovery, corn oil yield, utility consumption, water usage, throughput, product quality, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
Work closely with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to implement reliability, quality, and efficiency improvements.
Mentor plant engineers and operating teams on wet milling technology, process optimization, troubleshooting methods, and best practices.
Support strategic growth initiatives through feasibility studies, process design reviews, and technology assessments.
Lead technology efforts supporting sustainability initiatives, including water reduction, energy optimization, emissions reduction, and waste minimization.
Required Skills
Strong commitment to process safety, food/feed safety, and operational excellence.
Deep understanding of corn wet milling unit operations, including:
Corn steeping systems
Germ separation and oil recovery
Fiber recovery and washing
Gluten separation and concentration
Starch washing and purification systems
Evaporation and drying operations
Utility and energy systems
Experience in process optimization, debottlenecking, and yield improvement using data analytics and plant KPIs.
Strong understanding of mass balance, process control, product quality, and manufacturing economics.
Ability to work effectively across operations, engineering, maintenance, commercial, and leadership teams.
Working knowledge of PFDs, P&IDs, mass and energy balances, process simulations, and advanced control strategies.
Willingness to work in plant environments and travel to support multiple sites.
Strong problem-solving, project management, and leadership capabilities.
Knowledge of food, feed, and industrial starch product quality requirements is preferred.
Required Education
Bachelor's degree in:
Chemical Engineering
Agricultural Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Biological Engineering
Or related technical field
Required Experience
Minimum 10 years of experience in corn wet milling, starch manufacturing, sweetener production, or related corn processing operations
Strong background in process engineering, manufacturing support, operations leadership, or process technology management
Proven experience leading cross-functional process improvement initiatives
Desired Experience
Experience in corn wet milling operations leadership or advanced process technology roles
Exposure to:
Advanced Process Control (APC)
Starch and sweetener manufacturing technologies
Separation and centrifugation systems
Corn oil recovery optimization
Capacity expansion and debottlenecking projects
Energy and water reduction initiatives
Digital manufacturing and process analytics
Sustainability and environmental performance improvement programs
Key Performance Measures
Corn grind throughput
Starch recovery and yield
Sweetener and starch product quality
Corn oil yield
Gluten feed and gluten meal yields
Energy consumption
Water consumption
Manufacturing cost reduction
Reliability and uptime
Safety and environmental performance
Technology deployment success across the enterprise
This version aligns the role to a multi-site ADM Corn Wet Milling Technology Manager scope, emphasizing steeping, separation, starch recovery, sweeteners, corn oil, and co-product optimization rather than fermentation and ethanol production.
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.
REF:113282BR
#IncludingYou
Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are cornerstones of ADM's efforts to continue innovating, driving growth, and delivering outstanding performance. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and create welcoming, truly inclusive work environments - environments that enable every ADM colleague to feel comfortable on the job, make meaningful contributions to our success, and grow their career. We respect and value the unique backgrounds and experiences that each person can bring to ADM because we know that diversity of perspectives makes us better, together.
We welcome everyone to apply. We are committed to ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, language, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law
To apply please click on APPLY TO THIS POSITION
Job Post Date: 09/23/26
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