Face Behind the Fertilizer: Zach Turner

Throughout 14 years, eight roles and two locations, Zach Turner’s journey at Koch Fertilizer has resembled a zig zag more than a straight line — according to Zach, that’s a good thing.

“I've had the opportunity to try different roles, learn what I enjoy and develop new capabilities,” Zach said. “It’s helped me better understand where I can create the most value.”

Zach spent the first 13 years of his career at the Koch Fertilizer plant in Fort Dodge, Iowa. During that stretch, he held a variety of roles including operator, shift leader, operations innovation leader, process controls engineer and process engineer.

Each role has taught Zach something different about the business, working with people — and himself.

“One reason I've stayed with Koch is that I've never felt like I had to stop growing,” Zach said. “Every few years there’s been another opportunity to learn, take on a new challenge or look at the business from a different perspective.”

Not every step along his career path has been a smooth stride. Zach has also learned that not every role is going to be the right one. During his time in process controls, he realized it wasn’t something he enjoyed and didn’t match his talents or interests.

At first, it felt like a setback. Looking back, though, it was one of the most valuable lessons of Zach’s career.

“It helped me better understand my strengths and move into a role that was a better fit,” Zach said. “There's value in being honest with yourself about where you can make the greatest contribution.

“At the same time, don’t be afraid to try different roles or step outside your comfort zone. Some of the biggest growth opportunities in my career came from taking on positions that challenged me,” he continued.

In 2025, one of those opportunities happened for Zach, which resulted in him relocating to Dodge City, Kansas. Now, in his current role as technical leader, Zach supports the operations and technical teams to keep the Dodge City plant running safely, reliably and efficiently.

As technology becomes more prevalent at the plant, Zach stresses the importance of maintaining focus on the basics.

“Modern manufacturing facilities rely on advanced control systems, real-time data, engineering and highly skilled people to operate safely and effectively,” Zach said. “It's exciting to explore new technology, but if we aren't doing the small things right, we won't be successful.”

While focusing on fundamentals is foundational for Zach, his perspective on leadership is something that has undergone a major shift.

When he started at Koch Fertilizer 14 years ago, Zach thought leaders were supposed to have all the answers. He doesn’t believe that anymore.

“A good leader doesn’t always need to know the answer,” Zach said. “They need to be willing to ask the right questions and bring the right people together to solve the problem.

“I’ve also learned you don’t need a leadership title to influence a team,” he continued. “Sometimes the most influential person in the room is the one willing to offer a different perspective or ask the question nobody else is asking.”

In the same way his career journey has experienced twists and turns, Zach’s day-to-day work at the plant is seldom predictable.

“If I've learned anything in manufacturing, it's that the plant doesn't care what was on your calendar that morning,” Zach said. “That's part of what has kept manufacturing interesting for me over the years. No two days are the same.

“But what excites me most is being part of a great team of people with positive attitudes, a willingness to learn and a shared vision for where we want to go,” he continued.

For Zach, the path may never be a straight line, and that's exactly how he likes it. As long as he's still finding ways to grow, he's ready for whatever zig — or zag — might come next.

Missed the last Face Behind the Fertilizer? Read it here.