Operations Technology Business Analyst - Erlanger, KY
Archer Daniels Midland
Operations Technology Business Analyst - Erlanger, KYPosition Summary
The Operations Technology Business Analyst serves as the key link between Manufacturing, Operations, Technology, Engineering, and project teams to successfully implement and sustain manufacturing technology, automation, digital transformation, and operational improvement initiatives. This role will act as the business voice for Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and other digital manufacturing initiatives, and as such will champion business readiness, operational integration, testing, deployment, and adoption activities across the full project lifecycle, ensuring new systems and processes deliver measurable business value and operational performance improvements.
The position is responsible for coordinating cross-functional teams, identifying and mitigating risks, aligning business requirements with technical solutions, and driving successful project launches. The ideal candidate combines strong manufacturing knowledge with project leadership, business process expertise, and the ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority.
This role will initially support Manufacturing Execution System (MES) deployment activities and will serve as a flexible business deployment resource for future digital manufacturing, automation, operational excellence, and site transformation initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Project Leadership & Business Readiness
- Supports projects from requirements gathering and solution design through testing, implementation, stabilization, and transition to operational ownership
- Develop and execute integrated readiness and launch plans that support production, staffing, equipment, data readiness, training, materials, and systems requirements.
- Coordinate go-live activities, cutovers, process simulations, hyper-care support, and post-launch stabilization.
- Ensure business continuity throughout implementation while maintaining focus on safety, quality, customer service, and production performance.
- Serve as the primary business deployment lead for MES and digital manufacturing initiatives.
- Partner with Operations, IT, OT, Engineering, and external vendors to support system implementation and integration activities.
- Translate manufacturing requirements into practical execution processes and workflows.
- Support integration of manufacturing systems with ERP platforms and related technologies.
- Drive operational adoption and ensure solutions align with manufacturing and business objectives.
- Facilitate development of future-state manufacturing processes and operating models.
- Evaluate impacts on production flow, inventory management, scheduling, quality systems, labor utilization, and equipment performance.
- Lead cross-functional discussions to resolve process gaps, clarify requirements, and improve operational effectiveness.
- Identify risks and unintended consequences prior to implementation and recommend practical solutions (aka pre-mortem).
- Coordinate User Acceptance Testing (UAT), Day-in-the-Life testing, process simulations, and operational readiness assessments.
- Ensure testing reflects actual manufacturing conditions and business requirements.
- Manage issue identification, prioritization, corrective actions, and final validation activities.
- Establish readiness criteria and provide recommendations regarding deployment preparedness.
- Support Management of Change (MOC) activities for assigned initiatives.
- Coordinate development of procedures, training materials, work instructions, communications, and job aids.
- Develop super-user and champion networks to ensure long-term site ownership.
- Partner directly with manufacturing teams to validate processes, address concerns, and drive adoption.
- Monitor post-launch performance and facilitate corrective actions where needed.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, simplify processes, and enhance productivity through technology and process improvement.
- Support automation, digital manufacturing, and capacity improvement initiatives.
- Apply Lean principles and structured problem-solving techniques to resolve operational challenges.
- Ensure project benefits are translated into measurable business results.
- Lead cross-functional workstreams and drive accountability across project teams.
- Serve as a liaison among Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Technology, vendors, and leadership teams.
- Communicate project status, risks, decisions, and readiness metrics to stakeholders.
- Support project planning, resource coordination, business case development, and benefit realization activities.
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations, Information Systems, Supply Chain, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in manufacturing operations, manufacturing systems, operational excellence, project deployment, or related functions.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex cross-functional projects through implementation and sustainment.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, material flow, production planning, inventory management, quality systems, and operational processes.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively engage frontline employees, technical teams, leadership, and external partners.
- Ability to influence stakeholders and drive results without direct reporting authority.
- Experience with MES, ERP, digital manufacturing, automation, or manufacturing technology implementations.
- Experience with BatchMetrics, MAPICS/AS400, SAP, or similar manufacturing systems.
- Experience within food, flavor, chemical, pharmaceutical, or batch manufacturing environments.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Project Management, Management of Change (MOC), and operational readiness methodologies.
Excited about this role but don’t think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.
ADM requires the successful completion of a background check.
REF::113612BR
ADM requires the successful completion of a background check.
REF::113612BR