Applications Lab Leader, Grain Processing

IFF • Cedar Rapids, IA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, and health & biosciences, delivering sustainable innovations. The Health & Biosciences division focuses on sustainable, life-enhancing technologies for healthcare, food, consumer, and industrial markets. This role, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is for an Applications Lab Leader in Grain Processing. The leader will develop a high-performing regional application team, ensuring high-quality technical output that meets customer needs. Key responsibilities include partnering with global and regional leaders to execute application development strategy, coordinating regional activities with industry, sales, and technical service teams, and identifying new application competencies. The position also involves serving as a Senior Scientist, leading laboratory and plant work, managing project execution, expanding regional knowledge of customer applications, and building strong relationships with stakeholders to drive innovation.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a relevant technical or scientific discipline with substantial experience in an application or laboratory environment.
• 5+ years of experience in grain processing or the enzyme industry.
• Proven success in developing products for industrial enzyme customers.
• Strong background in designing and executing laboratory application development and testing programs.
• Ability to identify existing and future customer needs and industry trends.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams, with strong coaching and motivational abilities.
• Effective working style within cross-functional and collaborative team environments.
• Self-motivated with strong time-management skills and the ability to work independently.
• Experience managing change or leading continuous improvement initiatives.

Nice To Haves

• Previous supervision or people-management experience.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to build trust and influence across teams.
• Ability to constructively challenge assumptions and encourage innovative thinking.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing regional application team, ensuring consistent, high-quality technical output that meets customer needs.
• Partner with the Global Application Leader and Regional Industry Leader to create, refine, and execute the regional application development strategy aligned with global objectives.
• Coordinate regional application activities in close collaboration with industry, sales, and technical service teams to ensure integrated execution.
• Identify and champion new application competencies needed to support short-term and long-term Grain Processing business goals.
• Serve as a Senior Scientist, leading and participating in laboratory and plant work, including formulation, application characterization, trials, and product launch activities.
• Ensure effective and timely project execution by applying project management best practices and frameworks.
• Expand and deepen regional knowledge of customer applications across all Grain Processing segments to drive sustainable innovation.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and customers to translate needs into technical development objectives.
• Maintain clear global connectivity and transparency regarding regional application output and its business impact.

Benefits

• Opportunity to lead impactful application innovation within a global Grain Processing organization.
• Collaborative and inclusive workplace culture focused on scientific excellence.
• Professional development and leadership growth opportunities.
• Exposure to global teams, insights, and projects.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Travel opportunities (approximately 30%) to customer and plant sites.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees