Head Miller

Job Title:

Head Miller

Role Overview:

The Head Miller is responsible for leading milling operations at less complex facilities, typically managing the production of a limited range of wheat grists. In these settings, you will oversee day-to-day operations—including production, maintenance, sanitation, and team development—ensuring alignment with Ardent Mills’ values, safety standards, and operational policies.

In larger, more complex mills, the Head Miller may operate under the direction of a Senior Head Miller, supporting the leadership of a broader, more intricate milling operation. In this capacity, you will play a vital role in executing daily operational plans, mentoring team members, and driving continuous improvement efforts.

Whether leading independently or supporting a senior leader, the Head Miller is essential to maintaining quality, efficiency, and Ardent Mills’ reputation as the preferred regional flour supplier.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational Management: Identify and resolve operational discrepancies, implementing focused solutions with clear timelines.
• Process Improvement: Collaborate with the milling team to enhance production efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality.
• Maintenance Oversight: Develop and execute maintenance plans to ensure optimal operation of milling equipment and identify critical spare parts.
• Training & Development: Partner with the Milling Center of Excellence (COE) to create effective training programs for millers and interns, fostering skill development across the workforce.
• Project Leadership: Act as project manager for capital improvements and lead larger-scale projects in collaboration with the engineering team.
• Performance Metrics: Utilize key performance metrics to benchmark and drive operational improvements.
• Safety & Compliance: Maintain compliance with company policies, regulatory standards, and safety protocols, ensuring a clean and safe work environment.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree with 2-5 years of milling and leadership experience, or a high school diploma/GED with 6-9 years in similar roles.
• Proficiency in maintaining and troubleshooting milling equipment.
• Experience in implementing LEAN practices to enhance process efficiency.
• Basic knowledge of milling systems and pneumatic flowsheets.
• Familiarity with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• Ability to create and modify CAD drawings for mill layouts and systems.
• Strong leadership and training abilities to guide team members in machinery operation and maintenance.
• Willingness to collaborate with the engineering team and plant manager in overseeing smaller capital projects and managing on-site contractors effectively.

This job description outlines the primary responsibilities and qualifications for the Head Miller role at Ardent Mills. Duties and requirements may evolve based on the organization's needs.

Physical requirements and working conditions (with or without reasonable accommodation): 

• Ability to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as is required by the operating areas (i.e. safety glasses, protective footwear, hearing protection and, at times, a respirator)  
• Ability to work a rotating schedule including nights, weekends and holidays  
• Ability to work a machine paced continuous process that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with conditions which include:  
• Heat/cold temperatures (inclement weather)  
• Indoor/outdoor environment  
• Dusty environment  
• Noisy environment  
• Frequent moving/vibration/ or other motion of equipment/processes  
• Elevated places, to include stairs/ladders  
• Ability to perform work at a computer and other administrative/managerial tasks  

Other considerations: 

• Ability to travel 5-10% 
• Willing to relocate as promotional opportunities exist throughout career 
• Willing to work weekends, holidays, 7-day weeks, and opposing shifts, when needed 
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now and in the future 

Except where prohibited by law, all offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test and pre-employment background check 

Team members must be clean-shaven in order to perform tasks where respiratory protection is required and the use of a respirator (including N-95 dust mask) requires a proper seal for adequate protection.

The preceding position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this position.  It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this position. The description, duties, functions, and responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of Ardent Mills.  

Location:

 

 

Chester IL

Address:

101 Water Street, Chester IL, 62233

Additional Locations (if applicable):

Employment Type:

Full time

Additional Information:

Competitive Compensation:

We provide market-driven base pay, based on skills, abilities, and level of experiences. Our salary ranges are broad, and individual salary will be market competitive based on a candidate’s unique set of skills and level of experience. The starting range for this position is $86,200.00 - $114,915.90, with additional earning potential possible commensurate with experience. Additionally, we believe that our team members are the reason for our success and all team members are incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and individual results achieved. While the specific bonus plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions, the targeted bonus plan and targeted percentage amount for this role is Bonus - OIP, 10% Annual.

Benefits:

At Ardent Mills we offer a wide range of benefits to our team members and their eligible family members. Some of our great benefit programs you may be eligible for include: • Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage• Health and Dependent Savings Accounts • Life and Disability Programs • Voluntary Benefit Programs • Company Sponsored Wellness Programs • Retirement Savings with Company Match • Team Member and Family Assistance Program (EAP) • Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays • Employee Recognition Program with Rewards (RAVE).

Application Deadline:

EEO Commitment:

At Ardent Mills, everyone matters and everyone has a voice. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and team members and the decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic protected by law or not. Together, celebrating our differences, we make Ardent Mills. The preceding position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this position. The description, duties, functions, and responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of Ardent Mills.

En Ardent Mills, todos importan y todos tienen voz. Estamos comprometidos a brindar un ambiente de respeto mutuo donde haya igualdad de oportunidades disponibles para todos los solicitantes y miembros del equipo y las decisiones se basarán en el mérito, la competencia, el desempeño y las necesidades comerciales. Estamos orgullosos de ser un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. No discriminamos por motivos de raza, color, religión, credo, origen nacional, ascendencia, estado civil, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad o expresión de género, discapacidad física o mental, embarazo, información genética, condición de veterano, edad, política. afiliación, o cualquier otra característica no meritoria protegida por ley o no. Juntos, celebrando nuestras diferencias, formamos Ardent Mills. La descripción del puesto anterior ha sido diseñada para indicar la naturaleza general y los deberes y responsabilidades esenciales del trabajo realizado por los empleados dentro de este puesto. Es posible que no contenga un inventario completo de todos los deberes, responsabilidades y calificaciones requeridas de los empleados en este puesto. La descripción, los deberes, las funciones y las responsabilidades están sujetos a cambios a discreción de Ardent Mills.

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