Formulator Specialist - Quincy, IL

Archer Daniels Midland•Quincy, IL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

This is an exempt level position. The Formulator Specialist reports to the Director, CD&D North America & LATAM and serves as the organization’s lead subject matter expert in feed formulation. This role is responsible for developing, managing, and optimizing premix and finished feed formulas across all plants while ensuring nutritional integrity, manufacturability, cost efficiency, and regulatory compliance. This position owns the end-to-end formulation process, including formula setup, weekly updates, pricing and ingredient monitoring, legal feed tag development, medication code management, and integration of formulas for new or acquired businesses. The role partners cross-functionally with Nutrition, QA, Production, Sales, Finance, and Purchasing to optimize feed performance, improve operational outcomes, and support customer formulation needs.

Requirements

Expert knowledge of feed formulation systems and processes
Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks (NADA, EPA)
Analytical and problem-solving skills with a continuous improvement mindset
Ability to balance cost, nutrition, and manufacturing outcomes
Strong collaboration and communication skills
Adaptability and ability to perform under pressure
High level of ownership, initiative, and accountability
Organizational skills
Adherence to procedures
Accuracy
Comfort with routine work
Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Animal Nutrition, Veterinary Medicine, Agronomy, or related field
Minimum of 2–3+ years of experience in feed formulation or related field
Experience with formulation systems (Brill, Allix, Bestmix or similar)
Ability to build feed tags and ensure labeling compliance
Ability to conduct ingredient and multiblend reviews
Ability to manage formula setup for new products and acquisitions
Ability to support QA during audits and investigations
Ability to maintain awareness of ingredient quality, sampling plans, and plant-specific requirements
Ability to ensure compliance with corporate policies related to safety, quality, and food safety
Willingness to learn and use other systems and software such as IBM, MDM, Labelview, etc

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Animal Nutrition or Animal Production preferred

Responsibilities

Manage premix and finished feed formulations for multiple species across premix and additive plants
Develop, implement, and maintain formula profiles in systems such as Brill, Allix, and Bestmix
Adjust formulas based on laboratory analysis, nutritional targets, and ingredient availability
Monitor ingredient pricing and support cost optimization initiatives
Evaluate and introduce new raw materials and adjust formulation matrices accordingly
Set up, maintain, and optimize custom and national feed formulas
Rework and troubleshoot existing formulas for accuracy and efficiency
Manage Brill dataset security and access controls
Establish and maintain medication codes and compliance structures
Support onboarding of formulas from newly acquired businesses
Review formulas for nutritional adequacy, manufacturability, and regulatory compliance
Ensure compliance with NADA/EPA and U.S. regulatory standards
Conduct nutrient reviews tied to weekly formula updates
Summarize laboratory results to refine ingredient nutritional values
Support recall decisions and regulatory actions when needed
Knowledge of labeling regulations and how to label different types of food.
Support key customers in optimizing feed cost and performance
Provide formulas, quotes, and technical insights to Sales and customers
Translate lab data and nutritional requirements into practical formulation solutions
Act as a technical resource for species-specific formulation support
Maintain understanding of plant capabilities and differences across facilities
Partner with plant teams to resolve Out-of-Tolerance (OOT) and production issues
Help streamline ingredient usage and reduce complexity at plant level
Coordinate rework of expired or slow-moving products with Production and Warehousing
Collaborate with QA on ingredient sampling protocols and quality standards
Conduct formula audits and annual formula cleanup initiatives
Support weekly formulation processes and continuous improvement efforts
Optimize ingredient inventories and formulation efficiency
Ensure formulas comply with internal quality standards and audit requirements
Partner with QA, Regulatory, Marketing, Finance, and Purchasing teams
Support product development and innovation initiatives
Assist in label creation and feed tag compliance
Contribute to decision-making around product recalls and stop-sale situations
Mentor peers and promote knowledge sharing
Serve as a key formulation expert across the organization
Deliver presentations and training as needed
Participate in cross-functional initiatives and continuous improvement projects
Provide after-hours support for urgent formulation needs