Plant Manager

As Plant Manager, you will have full accountability for the overall performance of the Kotka production site, leading all aspects of operations including production, quality, safety, and people. You will play a critical role in driving operational excellence, ensuring compliance with regulatory and company standards, and delivering on business objectives in a cost-effective and sustainable way. Working closely with both local and global stakeholders, you will set the strategic direction for the site, develop high-performing teams, and foster a culture of continuous improvement, safety, and engagement. This role offers significant visibility and growth potential within IFF’s global operations network.

IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products. Our Food Ingredients business unit delivers high-quality ingredient solutions that enhance texture, stability, and performance across a wide range of food applications, supporting customers globally with innovation, reliability, and sustainability at the core.

The role is based in Kotka, Finland. Be part of a dynamic, collaborative, high-performing 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 manage all plant operations, overseeing a workforce of 100+ employees
• Drive operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
• Ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective production aligned with business and customer requirements
• Own full site performance including production, quality, EH&S, and compliance
• Build and foster a strong culture of engagement, accountability, and performance
• Collaborate with site leadership to set strategic direction and achieve business targets
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, BRC Food Safety standards, and process safety requirements
• Lead organizational development, succession planning, and people strategy
• Drive sustainability, innovation, and long-term site competitiveness initiatives

What Makes You the Right Fit

• Master’s degree or equivalent higher-level education
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in industrial or process environments
• At least 5 years of leadership experience in demanding production environments
• Full professional fluency in Finnish and English
• Strong leadership and people management capabilities with experience leading large teams
• Deep understanding of process industry operations and manufacturing environments
• Proven expertise in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies
• Strong knowledge of quality, safety, and environmental management systems
• Demonstrated ability to drive performance, accountability, and operational efficiency

How Would You Stand Out?

• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making capabilities
• Passion for safety, quality, sustainability, and people engagement
• Track record of driving cultural transformation and operational excellence

Why Choose Us?

• Opportunity to lead a key production site with full operational responsibility
• A role with strong visibility and impact within a global organization
• Collaborative and supportive leadership environment
• Focus on sustainability, innovation, and continuous development
• Career growth potential within IFF’s global network
• Competitive compensation and benefits package

Interested? Please submit your application and CV by 5 July 2026. We will review applications and may proceed to personal interviews with the most potential candidates already during the application period.

Please note that all applications must be submitted exclusively through our Workday recruitment system.

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