ADM has an opening for a Group Manager, Food Ingredients at our Corporate Research Center located in Decatur, IL. The position reports directly to the Group Director and supports research and development activities across food ingredient systems, including sweeteners, starches, milling, flour functionality, and baking applications.
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced and collaborative technical leader to manage, mentor, and develop a team of scientists responsible for food-focused research and application development. This team supports innovation, product development, customer solutions, and technical service across two key areas:
Sweeteners and starches for food and beverage applications, including ingredient functionality, formulation support, process interactions, and customer-driven solutions
Milling and baking technologies, primarily focused on wheat-to-flour-to-bread product systems, flour quality, dough performance, and finished baked goods applications
The successful candidate will provide technical leadership, people management, resource planning, project prioritization, and safety oversight for scientists working across laboratory, pilot-scale, and application development activities. Technical expertise is desired in food science, carbohydrate chemistry, starch and sweetener functionality, cereal science, milling, flour characterization, dough rheology, baking performance, and food ingredient applications.
The Group Manager will be an integral member of the broader Research & Development organization and will collaborate with technical leaders, scientists, applications teams, process development groups, quality teams, operations stakeholders, and commercial colleagues to advance ADM's food ingredient technologies and grain-based solutions.
Job Responsibilities
Perform all job functions in accordance with company safety guidelines and act as a functional safety leader for the Food Ingredients Science team
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of scientists supporting research, product development, applications, analytical testing, and technical service activities
Collaborate with Group Managers, Technical Managers, Research Scientists, Commercial Teams, Operations, Quality, and Manufacturing stakeholders to align technical work with business priorities
Prioritize team resources across multiple projects, customer requests, technology platforms, and strategic initiatives
Develop and maintain a long-term capability plan for the team, including staffing, technical expertise, equipment, analytical tools, application capabilities, and pilot-scale support needs
Ensure laboratories, equipment, instrumentation, and pilot-scale assets are maintained in proper working order and aligned with current and future research and application needs
Oversee scientific activities supporting product development, process development, application testing, customer troubleshooting, formulation support, and technology transfer
Interface with Technical Managers, Commercial Teams, Customer Support, Operations, and Quality stakeholders to advance ADM technologies toward commercial success
Ensure scientists, technicians, contract employees, and other coworkers follow ADM laboratory standards, safety practices, food safety expectations, and documentation requirements
Participate in and lead safety reviews, risk assessments, management of change activities, food safety assessments, and continuous improvement efforts
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, technical excellence, scientific curiosity, continuous improvement, and uncompromising commitment to safety
Skills and Proficiencies
Ph.D. or MS in food science, cereal science, chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, grain science, agricultural engineering, or a related physical science or engineering discipline with at least 5 years of relevant managerial experience
Advanced degree supplement: Ph.D. + 5 years, MS + 8 years
Previous management, supervision, and/or mentoring experience is preferred
Demonstrated experience leading scientists, technical teams, or project teams supporting research, applications, product development, analytical, or pilot-scale activities
Technical knowledge in one or more of the following areas is preferred: starch chemistry, sweeteners, carbohydrate functionality, hydrocolloids, food ingredient systems, cereal science, milling, flour quality, dough rheology, baking applications, texture analysis, shelf-life evaluation, or food product development
Experience guiding team members and technical projects that contributed to product development, customer support, process development, application development, or commercial success
Strong leadership skills with the ability to encourage open collaboration, promote constructive feedback, manage competing priorities, and motivate a diverse group of scientists and technical professionals
Knowledge of laboratory safety, food safety, chemical hygiene, hazardous material handling, allergen control, sanitation practices, and hazard communication requirements and procedures
Solid understanding of data analysis tools, statistical software, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and Microsoft Office applications
Ability to function independently while interacting effectively with ADM management, facility management, research teams, commercial teams, operations stakeholders, quality teams, customers, external collaborators, and contract employees
Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage colleagues across research, applications, operations, commercial groups, and external organizations
Uncompromising commitment to safety
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:112815BR
#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: 09/12/26
Follow Company Alert×
By Creating a follow company alert, you will receive alerts once per day when this company or any other company you are following posts new jobs.
Provide your information below to setup an alert.
×
Follow Company Alert Saved
Company alert saved for .
Company alert(s) will be sent to .
Alerts for the companies you are following will be sent once daily as new jobs are posted.
Follow Company Alert×
Follow Company Alert Saved
Follow Company Alert