Operations Line Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Product Line Manager, Malic/Fumaric | Primient
About Primient
Primient is a century old company with an entrepreneurial spirit. We are a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable sources. We deliver value through deep technical, commercial, and operational excellence that is backed by our long-standing corn wet milling heritage. Wherever we are in the process, from field to customer, our priorities are focused on ensuring we produce the safest, highest quality products through practices that uphold both our responsibility and commitments to the challenge and drive for excellence, our people and our planet. We are a privately held company with locations across the US, Mexico, Poland, and Brazil. We're investing in our plants and people to unlock our potential in the industrial and food sectors. Guided by our values of Safety, Excellence, Integrity, and Growth, we're focused on growing our business, our reputation, and the career of every teammate.
About the Role
The Product Line Manager, Malic and Fumaric Acid has end-to-end ownership of the malic and fumaric acid product line (approximately $30m), with accountability for delivering pricing, portfolio optimization, and long-term growth planning across food, beverage, confectionery, and selected industrial markets.
This role focuses on pricing execution, portfolio and mix optimization, market development, end use / application analysis, customer analytics, and cross-functional coordination to deliver annual operating plan (AOP) commitments and near- to mid-term growth objectives.
The Product Line Manager partners closely with Sales, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to translate product line strategy into actionable commercial and operational plans.
Key Responsibilities
Product Line & Portfolio Strategy

• Support execution of the malic and fumaric product line strategy
• Manage product and customer mix to improve margin and asset utilization
• Maintain product line performance dashboards covering volume, revenue, margin, mix, and service metrics
• Support product lifecycle activities including existing portfolio and applications

Pricing, Contracts & AOP Support

• Partner with Sales and Finance to support annual contract negotiations, renewals, and compliance tracking
• Support development and execution of the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) for malic and fumaric
• Monitor price realization, margin performance, and mix variance versus plan

Market, Customer & Competitive Analysis

• Track market trends including cost dynamics, acidulants demand, and regulatory considerations
• Conduct customer and competitive analysis to support market development, pricing, mix, and volume decisions
• Translate insights into clear recommendations for Sales and leadership

Commercial Enablement & Sales Support

• Develop and maintain sales tools, including product guides, cost-in-use models, and application positioning materials
• Partner with Sales on forecasting, opportunity prioritization, and performance improvement plans
• Support key customer engagements with data-driven insights related to pricing, supply, and product fit
• Act as a subject-matter resource on malic and fumaric for internal commercial teams

Operations, Supply Chain & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate with Operations and Supply Chain to align demand forecasts, production plans, and inventory strategies
• Support initiatives that improve service reliability, yield, cost, and operational efficiency
• Partner with Manufacturing on product quality, specification management, and process capability alignment
• Participate in cross-functional forums related to portfolio performance and execution priorities

Governance, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure product line decisions and execution align with food safety, quality, regulatory, and ESG requirements
• Support documentation, claims, and customer communications related to malic and fumaric
• Adhere to all Primient policies related to safety, ethics, and compliance

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Mindsets
Knowledge

• Organic acids, including malic and fumaric acid, and their functional roles in food and industrial applications
• Ingredient market dynamics, including commodity-linked products and cost drivers
• Pricing mechanisms, contract structures, and margin management
• Manufacturing, supply chain, and operational considerations for chemical or ingredient businesses

Skills

• Product line or business management with P&L or margin accountability
• Strategic planning and portfolio management
• Pricing strategy development and commercial decision-making
• Cross-functional leadership and influence without direct authority
• Market analysis, competitive assessment, and financial modeling

Abilities

• Translate technical and market complexity into clear business strategy
• Balance short-term commercial needs with long-term portfolio health
• Navigate ambiguity, volatility, and competing priorities
• Communicate effectively with executive, commercial, technical, and operational stakeholders

Mindsets

• Business-owner mentality with strong accountability
• Commercially rigorous and data-driven
• Market-back and customer-informed
• Collaborative, pragmatic, and execution-focused

Success Measures

• Revenue, volume, and margin performance versus targets
• Pricing effectiveness and contract discipline
• Portfolio mix optimization and profitability improvement
• Forecast accuracy and financial planning effectiveness
• Execution of product line strategy and value creation initiatives

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Chemistry, Food Science, Engineering, Economics, or a related field
• 5-10+ years of experience in product management, product line management, commercial strategy, or related roles
• Experience in food ingredients, specialty chemicals, or industrial materials
• Willingness to travel up to 30-40%

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with malic acid, fumaric acid, or other organic acids
• Experience working closely with manufacturing or supply chain teams
• Background in pricing, finance, or commercial analytics
• MBA or advanced technical degree

Total Rewards
The annual pay range estimated for this position is $114,800.00 - $143,500.00 and is bonus eligible.
Please note that while this range reflects the full spectrum of compensation available for this role, individual compensation will be determined based on several factors including your experience, skills, and alignment with the role's responsibilities. During the interview process there will be an opportunity to discuss how your background fits into the pay range.
We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• Competitive Pay
• Multiple Healthcare plan choices
• Dental and vision insurance
• A 401(k) plan with company and matching contributions
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Life, AD&D, and Voluntary Insurance plans
• Paid holidays & vacation
• Floating days off
• Parental leave for new parents
• Employee resource groups
• Learning & development programs
• Fun culture where you have an opportunity in shaping our future

Career Path & Culture
Primient is committed to a workplace that is all in - ensuring everyone has the opportunity to develop and shape a career that matters in an open culture which embraces equity, diversity and belonging. We challenge old ways of thinking; and encourage employee voices to be a guiding force for ongoing learning.
Primient supports a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe our differences make better decisions, drive excellence, and deliver better business results. Primient employees experience autonomy and accountability in their role. Here, employees control their destiny as there is opportunity for career growth and pathways outside the norm.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
We are believers in the power of difference. We strive to represent the communities in which we operate and to provide an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. We want Primient to be a place where every employee feels they belong and knows they are seen, heard, valued and safe to speak up. Our aspiration is to unlock the full potential in diverse perspectives, while offering everyone an equal chance to grow,
Primient is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.
California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA")
The Company is committed to complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA") and all data privacy and laws in the jurisdictions in which it recruits and hires employees. We collect the following categories of personal information for the purpose of hiring the best qualified applicants and to comply with applicable employment laws: Name and contact information; Job preference and work availability; Social Security Number and/or other identification information; Education and qualifications; Employment history and experience; Military service; Reference and background check information, including relevant criminal history and credit history; Social media information; Pre-employment test results; Post-offer medical examination information and results, including drug test results; Voluntary self-disclosure information regarding minority, veteran, and disability status; and Information provided by you during the hiring process.