Operations Lead

Ingredion Incorporated; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Incentive plan eligibility

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Ingredion Incorporated in Cedar Rapids, IA, is seeking an Operations Lead to serve as the on-site Incident Commander during emergencies and to oversee plant operations during off-shifts, weekends, and holidays.

You will partner with EHS, Engineering, and Operations teams to drive safety, efficiency, and growth initiatives while fostering cross-functional collaboration and a culture of continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field, or a minimum of 3 years of manufacturing experience, including direct leadership of operational teams.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools, including Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint; familiarity with additional operational or data analysis software is a plus.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to lead meetings, present shift reports, and draft or review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) clearly and effectively.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact and Incident Commander during environmental, health, and safety emergencies; provide first responder support within the training scope and coordinate internal/external communications.
• Lead day-to-day facility operations, monitor performance trends, and ensure timely resolution of operational issues through collaboration with relevant teams.
• Oversee emergency maintenance activities, ensuring appropriate resource allocation and swift response to minimize downtime.
• Identify, communicate, and support process improvement initiatives across manufacturing to enhance efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
• Partner with Operations, EHS, and Engineering teams to align with business goals and support strategic initiatives, including capital projects and training.
• Foster strong relationships across teams and affiliates, promoting open communication, collaboration, and a culture of safety and performance.
• Actively participate in or lead site committees and project teams to drive operational excellence and support key growth objectives.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Decision making

Collaboration

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent manufacturing experience

Tools

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint)

Data analysis software

Job description

TITLE: Operations Lead LOCATION: Cedar Rapids, IA REPORTS TO: Department Manager

No matter where you work in the company, you’ll have an opportunity to make life better… for our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world. As the Operations Lead, you will serve as the primary on-site contact during any site emergencies, providing critical leadership and coordination. You will also oversee plant operations during off-shifts, weekends, and holidays. Additionally, you will play a key role in supporting growth initiatives and fostering cross-functional collaboration and communication.

What will you do?

• Serve as the primary contact and Incident Commander during environmental, health, and safety emergencies; provide first responder support within the training scope and coordinate internal/external communications.


• Lead day-to-day facility operations, monitor performance trends, and ensure timely resolution of operational issues through collaboration with relevant teams.


• Oversee emergency maintenance activities, ensuring appropriate resource allocation and swift response to minimize downtime.


• Identify, communicate, and support process improvement initiatives across manufacturing to enhance efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness.


• Partner with Operations, EHS, and Engineering teams to align with business goals and support strategic initiatives, including capital projects and training.


• Foster strong relationships across teams and affiliates, promoting open communication, collaboration, and a culture of safety and performance.


• Actively participate in or lead site committees and project teams to drive operational excellence and support key growth objectives.

What you will bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field, or a minimum of 3 years of manufacturing experience, including direct leadership of operational teams.


• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools, including Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint; familiarity with additional operational or data analysis software is a plus.


• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to lead meetings, present shift reports, and draft or review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) clearly and effectively.

Who are you:

• Effective Decision-Making – Capable of handling diverse tasks and making timely decisions in fast-paced environments, even with limited data.


• Results-Oriented – Maintains a strong focus on achieving outcomes while managing multiple complex priorities.


• Continuous Improvement Mindset – Regularly identifies areas for enhancement and proposes constructive, value-driven solutions.


• Strong Analytical Skills – Applies critical thinking and data analysis to support operational and strategic decisions.


• Collaborative Team Player – Works effectively within cross-functional and matrixed teams, fostering cooperation and shared success.

Why Join Ingredion?

Discover why Ingredion is the ideal place to advance your career with our exceptional rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive. Create the future with us and enjoy:

• Total Rewards Package – Competitive salary and performance-based pay recognizing your contributions to our success


• Comprehensive Benefits & Wellness Support – Health, long-term savings, and resources for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being


• Flexible Work Arrangements – We value flexibility to support you both professionally and personally (add/remove depending on role)


• Career Growth – Learning, training, and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement


• Employee Recognition Program – A culture of real-time appreciation, with personalized recognition rewards globally


• Employee Discount Program – Provides exclusive discounts on everyday products, services, and travel #LI-DR1 #LI-ONSITE


• Benefits: Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage as well as a 401(k) plan with an competitive company match.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. Ingredion seeks to provide a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, handicap or disability—mental or physical—marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability resulting from military service, or any other classification protected by law (“protected classifications”). We are committed to establishing and maintaining a work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Ingredion provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant's accommodation needs. Ingredion uses AI-enabled tools to support parts of the recruitment process, including resume screening and interview scheduling. These tools help match candidate skills to job requirements and streamline communication. All AI-assisted decisions are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team to ensure fairness and compliance with applicable laws. By applying, you acknowledge that AI may be used to support your application journey.

Relocation Available: Yes, Within Country Pay Range: $84,400.00-$112,533.33 Annual This pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final base salary will be determined based on several factors which may include but are not limited to responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data and applicable bargaining agreement (if any). Incentive Compensation: As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Ingredion Annual Incentive Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus. Benefits: Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage as well as a 401(k) plan with an competitive company match. Ingredion is a leading global, plant-based ingredients solutions company. We make sweeteners, starches, nutrition ingredients and biomaterials that are used by customers in everyday products from foods and beverages to paper and pharmaceuticals. At Ingredion, we embrace possibilities and inspire each other to think big. Together, we are reimagining how we can make life better through our differentiated ingredients and innovative solutions. We share an inspiring purpose — to make life better, for our colleagues, our customers, our communities, and the world. We belong to a culture of bold innovators, of people who believe that their skills, creativity, and passion can deliver solutions that can enhance people’s lives. We create what's next, transforming our imagination into innovation. We have a welcoming and collaborative environment to build and grow a career in a multinational company. Here, everyone can be their authentic selves and be part of a community of talented and caring people, interacting with professionals around the world, made up of varied backgrounds, cultures and industries. We are encouraged to think differently and innovate through collaboration and experimentation. We are constantly imagining new ways to bring value to our customers, through new ingredients, solutions, and ways of working.