Ingredients Operations Leader: Safety, Efficiency & Growth

Mgp-Ingredients; Atchison (KS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

MGP Ingredients is hiring an Ingredients Operations Manager to lead day-to-day plant activities, drive safety, and improve efficiency. You will manage production, maintenance, and quality programs while guiding a team across shifts to meet KPI targets and budgets.

The role requires strong leadership, collaboration with Sales and Logistics, and a focus on continuous improvement and regulatory compliance. A Bachelor degree and 3–5 years of management in food manufacturing are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or equivalent operations experience required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, ERP and QMS.
• 3–5 years food manufacturing experience + 3–5 years management; 6–10 years total.
• Strong communication, motivation, delegation, and accountability.
• Plan and prioritize the operations of a food production facility with multiple interconnected subsystems.
• Understand the operations of mixers, pumps, dryers, heat exchangers, filtration systems, conveyance systems, and starch and protein modifications.
• Apply the scientific method to solve problems.
• Understand FDA regulations regarding processing of human food products; experience with SAP.
• Able to read and understand engineering/technical documents; understand statistics and SPC.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day plant activities safely and according to procedures.
• Oversee operations to meet KPI goals including production and budget.
• Lead maintenance and reliability efforts; plan turnarounds and asset improvements.
• Collaborate with Sales, Logistics, and cross-functional teams to meet demand.
• Mentor plant personnel and support employee engagement and labor relations.

Skills

Effective communication

Motivate others

Delegate and accountability

Plan, organize, prioritize operations

Plant operations knowledge

Apply the scientific method

FDA regulation understanding

Education

Bachelor degree preferred or equivalent operations experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

SAP

ERP systems

Quality Management System

Job description

MGP Ingredients is hiring an Ingredients Operations Manager to lead day-to-day plant activities, drive safety, and improve efficiency. You will manage production, maintenance, and quality programs while guiding a team across shifts to meet KPI targets and budgets.

The role requires strong leadership, collaboration with Sales and Logistics, and a focus on continuous improvement and regulatory compliance. A Bachelor degree and 3–5 years of management in food manufacturing are preferred.