Color Commercialization Specialist – Erlanger, Kentucky

Job Description

Color Commercialization Specialist – Erlanger, Kentucky
This is an exempt level position.

Position Summary: This individual will report to the Commercialization Manager and is an intermediate-level role within the Supply Chain organization. The Color Commercialization Specialist is responsible for leading all commercialization activities related to the Colors portfolio across North American operations. This role serves as the critical technical and operational bridge between R&D (CD&D), Procurement, Manufacturing, and Commercial teams to ensure successful scale-up, transfer, and ongoing production of color products. The position requires strong ownership of end-to-end commercialization execution, including supporting First Time Orders (FTOs) and ensuring manufacturing readiness across sites. A key aspect of the role is proactively identifying risks, addressing technical and operational challenges, and driving alignment across cross-functional stakeholders to enable efficient and successful project outcomes. This role demands strong problem-solving capabilities, including the ability to think laterally and develop innovative solutions to overcome roadblocks in a dynamic production environment. The Color Commercialization Specialist must be able to assess complex situations, balance technical constraints with business needs, and act with urgency to maintain project timelines. Deep technical knowledge of both natural and artificial color systems—including formulation, processing sensitivities, and raw material variability—is essential for success. This expertise enables the role to assist in development, support troubleshooting during scale-up, and ensure consistent product performance from lab to full production.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead all commercialization activities for color products across North American sites
• Oversee and participate in First Time Orders (FTOs), including observation and issue resolution
• Coordinate and execute color formula transfers between manufacturing sites
• Partner with Procurement to support raw material onboarding, qualification, and integration
• Advise CD&D on color formulation, processing constraints, and scale-up considerations
• Collaborate with Co-Manufacturing teams on external production strategies and projects
• Provide recommendations on safety stock levels based on demand, manufacturing variability, and Business goals
• Chair and lead the Color Manufacturing Review Team to assess readiness and risks as formulas are developed
• Identify and drive resolution of recurring production issues specific to color technologies
• Approach changing, challenging situations with focus on customer order fulfillment and ADM’s best interest
• Understands and has strict adherence to corporate compliance policies & safety systems & programs
• Ensures that individual goals are aligned with company goals
• Works to attain positive, cooperative relationships with internal colleagues across divisions & responsibilities
• Effectively use communication channels for proper coordination within the office & other locations
• Portrays a positive image of the company and self when interacting with colleagues
• Helps in the development & training of new employees

Required Skills:

• Ownership Mentality
• Cross Functional Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Data Analytics
• Continuous Improvement
• Self-motivated
• Problem Solving
• Risk Assessment
• Information Seeking

Desired Experience:

• 3–7+ years of experience in food, beverage, or ingredient manufacturing (colors experience preferred)
• Strong understanding of scale-up, manufacturing processes, and formulation challenges
• Experience with cross-functional project coordination
• Ability to assess risk and exercise sound judgment in making decisions within a fast-paced work environment
• Ability to connect data from disparate systems using Microsoft Excel
• Committed to work in a team environment while developing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal customers
• Committed to corporate ethics policies & safety programs

Before applying for an exempt, non-exempt or hourly job opportunity, you are expected to initiate a discussion and share your intentions with your supervisor.  * If you’ve been in your current position for more than 18 months, supervisor approval is not required.  * If you’ve been in your current position for less than 18 months, verbal supervisor approval is required.  
​Hiring Manager-Kevin Wallace    ​
Recruiter- Dolly Lamba 

 

City

Erlanger

State

KY -