VP Operations - Protein Solutions & Taura

IFF • Wilmington, DE

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

Ready to lead a global manufacturing network and shape the future of operations across Protein Solutions and Taura? IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products. Food Ingredients: Innovating improved nutritional profiles, better taste and texture, and greater cost efficiency to meet the needs of global food and beverage manufacturers. The role is preferably based in the United States, with consideration for candidates based in Brazil or Europe. Be part of a strategic, collaborative, and results-oriented team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related field.
• 15+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including significant responsibility for plant operations, quality, engineering, Environment, Health and Safety (EHS), and continuous improvement.
• Proven experience leading complex, multi-site manufacturing operations in a matrixed global organization.
• Strong track record of delivering operational excellence, productivity, cost improvement, and cultural transformation in complex industrial environments.
• Experience in food ingredients, chemicals, or other regulated process manufacturing environments.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience managing operating budgets, capital plans, productivity pipelines, and performance against financial targets.
• Demonstrated ability to develop leaders, build high-performing teams, and drive organizational capability and succession planning.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to align multiple stakeholders and create buy-in around manufacturing strategies.
• Ability to travel regularly to manufacturing sites domestically and internationally, as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field.
• Experience managing large-scale capital projects, network optimization, and manufacturing footprint decisions.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale transformation, change management, and digital manufacturing initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end manufacturing network for Protein Solutions and Taura, driving safe, reliable, cost-effective, and customer-focused operations across a multi-site footprint.
• Develop and execute the manufacturing strategy in support of business growth, customer requirements, and long-term competitiveness.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across the network to improve safety, quality, service, cost, productivity, and asset performance.
• Optimize the manufacturing footprint, capacity, and asset utilization, including capital planning, expansion, rationalization, and productivity improvement.
• Own the manufacturing budget and capital plan, delivering productivity, cost discipline, and strong return on investment.
• Ensure all operations meet company, regulatory, environmental, food safety, and quality standards across all sites.
• Lead and develop plant managers and site leadership teams, strengthening capability, accountability, engagement, and succession across the network.
• Accelerate adoption of manufacturing technologies, automation, and digital tools that improve visibility, control, reliability, and performance.
• Partner closely with Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Finance, Research and Development (R&D), and commercial teams to align manufacturing capabilities with business priorities and customer needs.

Benefits

• Opportunity to lead a nine-plant manufacturing network across two business segments.
• High-impact scope to shape operations strategy in support of growth, customer needs, and financial objectives.
• Broad leadership exposure through partnership with Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Finance, business leadership, and commercial teams.
• Opportunity to drive network performance, productivity, capacity planning, and continuous improvement at scale.
• Strong platform to influence digital adoption, automation, and cultural transformation across multiple sites.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive