Sr. Director Colors NA - Erlanger, KY

Job Description

Sr. Director Colors NA - Erlanger, KY

Position Summary
ADM is seeking a dynamic and seasoned industry expert to lead our Colors business for North America. This commercially focused role requires a strong technical foundation in colors technology and a proven ability to engage directly with customers as a trusted partner. The Vice-President – Colors Product Owner will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of ADM’s Colors portfolio while driving growth, innovation, and customer satisfaction. This leader will work alongside the technical tea, collaborate across functions including sales, procurement and supply, and deliver on strategic objectives to position ADM as the industry leader in natural and synthetic color solutions. 
Core Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Commercial Growth

• Create product portfolio vision, communicating product goals and translating them into user stories for the development team. Prioritizing the product backlog based on business value and return on investment.
• Partner with ADM’s CD&D (creation, design & development), Marketing and Sales experts to develop and execute strategic plans that achieve financial and market share goals.
• Support the Development Team (CD&D) by answering questions, clarifying technical issues and helping to remove any blockers that may arise during the development process.
• Serve as a commercial facing and technical insight leader for ADM’s Colors business, driving strategic direction and execution in alignment with the overall Flavors and Ingredients business.
• Collaborate globally to leverage ADM’s supply chain, vertical integration opportunities, and color technology transfers to drive efficiency and innovation.
• Identify and capitalize on customer opportunities by creating tailored technical and commercial strategies to win in the marketplace.
• Represent ADM as an industry expert, building credibility and trust with customers while advancing ADM’s reputation as a leading provider of innovative color solutions.

• In partnership with CD&D, lead the process of new color products and formulations ensuring they meet customer needs.
• Drive proactive innovation by working with Marketing to develop promotional calendars showcasing new color technologies and solutions.
• Provide expertise during customer presentations, product sell-ins, and other customer-facing activities.

• Motivate and inspire partner teams to achieve outstanding results, providing clear direction, constructive feedback, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Build cross-functional collaboration with CD&D, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and other teams to achieve shared goals.

Key Qualifications

• Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Food/Color Science with 15+ years of relevant experience in Colors/Ingredients.
  • Extensive background in product development, scaling new products, with deep knowledge of both synthetic and natural food colorings.
  • Proven experience in customer-facing roles, showcasing products and driving commercial success.
• Technical & Commercial Expertise:
  • Strong understanding of process and manufacturing considerations in the development of food and beverage color solutions.
  • Creative and innovative mindset, with a passion for delivering high-quality, differentiated products.
  • Ability to identify industry trends and translate them into actionable strategies.
• Leadership Skills:
  • Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and develop high-performing colleagues as an individual contributor.
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and influence across all levels of the organization.
  • Collaborative, team-oriented approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
• Results-Driven:
  • Strong decision-making skills, with a focus on delivering measurable business outcomes.
  • Resourceful and adaptable, with the ability to maximize impact using existing resources.
  • Big-picture thinker who understands the broader implications of decisions on the business.
  • Clear, elite level communicator reflecting the ability to work with colleagues across multiple areas of the Flavors and Nutrition businesses.

• Employees in this position may be exposed to potential chemical and food allergens due to the nature of our business. If you have concerns about yo