Job DescriptionEthanol Technology Manager - Cedar Rapids, IAThis is an exempt level position
Position SummaryThe Ethanol Technology Manager supports plant process areas related to the production and optimization of ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil, and co-products within dry and wet mill operations.
Primary process areas include:- Grain handling and preparation
- Liquefaction and saccharification
- Fermentation
- Distillation and dehydration
- Evaporation and drying systems (DDGS/Fiber/HSW/etc..)
These products and systems are produced through core unit operations such as:- Enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation
- Distillation and molecular sieve dehydration
- Evaporation and thermal drying
- Centrifugation and separation
- Heat integration and energy systems
- CIP and chemical treatment systems
This role focuses on continuous improvement, optimization, and reliability of ethanol plants, while collaborating across multiple facilities to standardize best practices and drive performance.
The technology manager will act as a resource for all plant operations leader and organizational engineers in the application of engineering principles to process design, troubleshooting, and deployment of new technologies, ensuring plant systems operate at safe, optimal, and cost-effective conditions.
This position plays a key role in achieving production targets, yield maximization, energy reduction, and carbon intensity improvements.
Essential Job Functions- Demonstrate technology leadership and promote a strong process safety culture.
- Benchmark ethanol plant performance (yield, energy, uptime) against internal and external best-in-class operations and drive improvements.
- Standardize and replicate best practices across ethanol sites, including fermentation efficiency, dryer performance, and energy usage.
- Manage and prioritize a portfolio of process improvement and capital projects across site operations.
- Collaborate with corporate and plant teams to align on technology deployment, modernization, and automation opportunities.
- Evaluate and implement new process technologies (e.g., enzyme systems, fermentation controls, heat integration, CO? capture).
- Provide hands-on support in troubleshooting process bottlenecks (fermentation upsets, distillation inefficiencies, dryer constraints).
- Establish and track KPIs: ethanol yield, DDGS quality, energy usage (BTU/gal), uptime, and chemical usage.
- Work closely with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to implement reliability and efficiency improvements.
- Mentor plant engineers and operators on process optimization and best practices.
- Establish and maintain regular contact and communications with the managers and superintendents at the target support facilities
Required Skills- Strong commitment to process safety and operational excellence.
- Deep understanding of ethanol-related unit operations:
- Fermentation kinetics
- Distillation & molecular sieve systems
- Evaporation and drying
- Centrifugation and separation
- Heat exchangers, utilities, and energy systems
- Experience in process optimization and yield improvement using data analytics and plant KPIs.
- Ability to work effectively across operations, engineering, and leadership teams.
- Working knowledge of PFDs, P&IDs, mass & energy balances, and control strategies.
- Willingness to work in plant environments and travel to support multiple sites.
- Results-driven with strong problem-solving capability.
Required EducationBachelor's degree in:
- Chemical Engineering
- Bioprocess Engineering
- Agricultural Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- or related technical field
Required Experience- Minimum 10 years of experience in ethanol and or bioprocessing operations
- Strong background in process engineering, operations support, or plant leadership
Desired Experience- Experience in ethanol plant operations leadership or advanced process technology roles
- Exposure to:
- Advanced process control (APC)
- Fermentation optimization / enzyme technology
- Energy reduction initiatives
- Carbon intensity / CO? capture strategies
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:110487
About ADM At ADM, we unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide. With industry-advancing innovations, a complete portfolio of ingredients and solutions to meet any taste, and a commitment to sustainability, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional challenges of today and tomorrow. We're a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world's premier agricultural origination and processing company. Our breadth, depth, insights, facilities and logistical expertise give us unparalleled capabilities to meet needs for food, beverages, health and wellness, and more. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we enrich the quality of life the world over. Learn more at ;br>
#IncludingYouDiversity, 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
Benefits and Perks Enriching the quality of life for the world begins by taking care of our colleagues. In addition to competitive pay, we support your diverse needs with a comprehensive total rewards package to enhance your well-being, including:
- Physical wellness - medical/Rx, dental, vision and on-site wellness center access or gym reimbursement (as applicable).
- Financial wellness - flexible spending accounts, health savings account, 401(k) with matching contributions and cash balance plan, discounted employee stock purchasing program, life insurance, disability, workers' compensation, legal assistance, identity theft protection.
- Mental and social wellness - Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Colleague Giving Programs (ADM Cares).
Additional benefits include:
- Paid time off including paid holidays.
- Adoption assistance and paid maternity and parental leave.
- Tuition assistance.
- Company-sponsored training and development resources, such as LinkedIn Learning, language training and mentoring programs.
*Benefits may vary for bargained locations, confirm benefit eligibility with your recruiter.
Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours.
If hired, employees will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
The pay range for this position is expected to be between:
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