Associate Director of Operations

Overview

Kemin is hiring an Associate Director of Operations for our Missouri Campus. Under general direction, the Associate Director of Operations provides strategic and operational leadership across multiple facilities to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant manufacturing performance. This role oversees Plant Managers and functional managers (Maintenance, Safety, and other supporting functions), ensuring consistent execution of operational standards, production plans, and regulatory requirements across the Missouri Campus. The Associate Director is accountable for optimizing end-to-end manufacturing processes, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring alignment with business unit priorities. 

This position is located in Verona, Missouri. Relocation assistance may be available.

Join the Kemin Team and Transform Lives!

We are a privately held, family-owned-and-operated global biotechnology company driven by curiosity and committed to transforming the quality of life for people, pets, and the planet.

We create solutions that strengthen health and wellbeing, provide nutrition and immune support for pets and production animals, safeguard the planet’s natural resources, and protect the global food supply chain for generations to come.

We supply over 500 specialty ingredients for various industries, including human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textiles, biofuels, and animal vaccines.

We employ 3,500 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Italy, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, and the United States.

As a valued member of our team, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial, physical, and professional well-being:

• Competitive Financial Package: Enjoy a rewarding salary, uncapped bonus opportunities, a 401k match program, and generous paid vacation and holidays.
• Health and Wellness Support: Stay fit and healthy with our fitness reimbursement for the whole family, and free fresh fruit and healthy snacks in break areas.
• Career Development and Advancement: Unlock your potential with opportunities for growth and development throughout your entire career.
• Continued Learning Opportunities: Grow your skills with our in-house learning platforms, offering thousands of training resources both live and online, and take advantage of tuition reimbursement for external post-secondary pursuits.
• Service Opportunities: Make a positive impact with paid time off for service, partnerships with The World Food Programme and Habitat for Humanity, and local community initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage operating budgets, recommend discretionary and capital expenditures, and monitor financial performance across multiple facilities.
• Implement cost-reduction initiatives, optimize resource utilization, and ensure ROI on operational investments.
• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with corporate goals to support long-term growth, reliability, and capacity expansion.
• Partner with R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, and corporate leadership to support strategic initiatives and operational alignment.
• Lead Plant Managers and department heads to ensure performance consistency, cross-site coordination, and alignment with BU objectives.
• Monitor site-level KPIs and operational performance to inform corporate leadership and support decision-making.
• Oversee operational performance across multiple facilities, ensuring effecient production, equipment reliability, and adherence to operational standards.
• Lead Plant Managers and functional managers to ensure consistent execution of production plans, capacity management, and resource allocation across sites.
• Provide guidance on operational challenges, including major equipment issues or cross-site workflow bottlenecks.
• Set the overall safety vision for all facilities, fostering a culture of safety excellence and ensuring complaince with OSHA, GMP, FDA, USDA, and other regulatory standards.
• Review critical incidents and lessons learned, drive corrective actions, and ensure CAPEX projects mitigte identified risks.
• Lead senior operational leaders in ensuring adherence to environmental, food safety, and corporate compliance requirements.
• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, automation, digital transformation, and other continuous improvement initiatives to drive operational efficiency and long-term productivity gains.
• Drive leadership development, succession planning, and workforce capability building across operations.
• Foster a high-performance culture through coaching, mentoring, and engagement of operational leaders.
• Lead, influence and support a culture of openness and personal development to ensure a high level of employee engagement.
• Maintain positive and collaborative working relationships with all departments towards continuous plant improvements.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience:
  • Master's degree with 6+ years of experience in management OR
  • Bachelor’s degree with 11+ years of experience preferred.

• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing operations experience, including at least 5 years in regional or multi-facility leadership.

• Proven experience managing multiple sites or a large, complex production footprint, with direct responsibility for Plant Managers and functional managers.

• Demonstrated success in operational strategy, production optimization, CAPEX planning, and budget management across multiple facilities.

• Strong track record in regulatory compliance (food safety, environmental, and workplace safety standards) in a highly regulated manufacturing environment.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate across QA, Maintenance, Planning, and other functions.

• Chemical and/or process knowledge is required.

• Solid understanding and adherence to the Servant Leadership philosophy.
• Ability to read and understand process flow charts.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, and excellent team-building abilities
• Basic computer knowledge including MS Office.
• Manufacturing and PLC experience preferred. 
• Knowledge of SPC.
• Must be detail oriented and good time management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and strong financial skills.
• Mechanical ability is a plus.
• Demonstrated integrity and honesty in all aspects.
• Experience as an effective project manager, project team player, leader and motivator; and the ability to present ideas effectively and communicate well with peers and all levels of management and subordinates.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed/religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status (where applicable), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy/childbirth/breastfeeding or related conditions, age (40+), disability (including the use of a service animal), genetic information, marital status, familial or caregiver status, military or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, reproductive health decision‑making, and any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also prohibit retaliation for raising concerns or participating in an EEO process. Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview can email TalentAcquisition.US@Kemin.com.

A post-offer background check and drug screen is required.  Additional pre-employment requirements may be necessary based on position.

Kemin is a drug-free and tobacco-free campus. 

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