Job Description
Head Miller II Role Overview: The Head Miller II is responsible for leading operations at high complexity milling facilities that handle multiple wheat classes and produce a broad portfolio of base and specialty flours. In most cases, the Head Miller II leads milling operations independently, without additional managerial support from a Senior Head Miller or Head Miller. You will oversee the full scope of milling operations—including production, maintenance, sanitation, and team development—while upholding Ardent Mills’ standards for safety, quality, and efficiency. You will be a key driver of continuous improvement and operational excellence, ensuring compliance with company policies and fostering a high-performance culture. As a visible leader, you will play a critical role in positioning Ardent Mills as the flour supplier of choice in your region. 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 5-8 years of milling and leadership experience, or a high school diploma/GED with 10-12 years in similar roles. Advanced expertise in equipment maintenance and troubleshooting. Proven ability to implement LEAN practices in complex, high-volume environments. Mastery of cleaning, milling, and conveying systems, with advanced pneumatic system knowledge. Extensive proficiency in CMMS and CAD software for detailed system designs. Strong track record of leading process improvement initiatives and training programs. Proven experience in successfully leading mid-scale capital projects, effectively managing associated contractors while operating with minimal on-site engineering support. 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 p