Applications Lab Leader, Grain Processing

Job Summary

Are you passionate about innovation that transforms everyday products into extraordinary experiences?

IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences, we deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.

Health & Biosciences: Channeling our passion for nature and bioscience into sustainable, life-enhancing technologies that power innovative solutions across healthcare, food, consumer and industrial markets.

The role is based out of our Cedar Rapids, Iowa location. Be part of a creative, agile team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.

Where You'll Make a Difference

• 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.

What Makes You the Right Fit

• 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.

How You Would Stand Out

• 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.

Why Choose Us?

• 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.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more