Operations Lead

Ingredion; Richland (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total Rewards Package - Competitive in

Comprehensive Benefits & Wellness

Job summary

Ingredion in Richland, WA is seeking an Operations Lead to drive safe, efficient manufacturing across Wet Process, Drying, Packaging, Utilities, and Maintenance. You will lead a team of about 20 operations staff and a 4-person maintenance group, manage budgets, and partner with Quality, EHSS, Engineering, and Warehouse to meet production goals.

You will champion continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and CI methodologies, delivering measurable savings and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Must have leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical Engineering preferred) or related field.
• Strong understanding of GMP, process improvement, and cost management.
• Demonstrated success leading teams and driving performance in a fast-paced plant.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable production.
• Drive safety and environmental management systems to maintain compliant workplace.
• Manage plant operations to meet production goals, budgets, quality, and GMP requirements.
• Partner with Quality, EHSS, Engineering, and Warehouse to ensure excellence and service.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and CI methodologies.
• Oversee plant cost performance and support data-driven decisions for improvements.
• Assist capital planning and prioritize investments to improve reliability and cost efficiency.
• Develop and coach high-performing teams, manage performance, and succession planning.
• Ensure compliance with regulations, policies, and standards; report plant performance.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical Engineering preferred)

Tools

Lean Six Sigma

Job description

About Ingredion

Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you've experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet's food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you're just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create.

Location: Richland, WA

Workplace type: Onsite

Ingredion is seeking a results-driven Operations Lead to lead manufacturing operations at our Richland facility. This role offers the opportunity to drive operational excellence, strengthen safety and quality performance, develop high-performing teams, and deliver continuous improvement initiatives that support business growth and customer success.

As an Operations Lead, you will provide leadership for all aspects of plant operations, including Wet Process, Drying, Packaging, Utilities, Maintenance, and Production Planning. You will be responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective manufacturing operations while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

This role reports to the Plant Manager and leads a team of approximately 20 operations employees as well as a maintenance team consisting of 1 Maintenance Lead and 3 Maintenance Technicians.

What you will do:

• Lead daily manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable production performance across all operational areas.
• Drive best-in-class safety and environmental management systems to maintain an injury-free and environmentally compliant workplace.
• Manage plant operations to achieve production goals, budgets, quality standards, and GMP requirements while optimizing costs.
• Partner with Quality, EHSS, Engineering, and Warehouse teams to ensure operational excellence and exceptional customer service.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, and other CI methodologies to improve productivity, reduce waste, and deliver targeted savings.
• Manage plant cost performance and develop systems that support data-driven decision making and sustainable operational improvements.
• Support capital planning activities by partnering with site leadership to identify and prioritize investments that improve reliability, growth capacity, safety, and cost efficiency.
• Develop, coach, and lead high-performing teams through talent development, succession planning, employee engagement, and performance management.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, local, and company regulations, policies, and standards.
• Provide accurate reporting on plant performance and proactively communicate production risks and opportunities to site leadership.

What you will bring:

• 3+ years of leadership experience within a manufacturing environment; food, chemical, biochemical, pharmaceutical, or related process industries preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical Engineering preferred) or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will also be considered.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, operations systems, maintenance practices, GMP requirements, and process improvement methodologies.
• Experience managing operational budgets, cost controls, and productivity improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated success leading teams and driving operational performance in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and effectively communicate technical and operational information.

Who you are:

• A safety and quality-driven leader who creates a culture of accountability and operational discipline.
• A collaborative team builder who develops talent, engages employees, and promotes teamwork across functions.
• A continuous improvement champion with hands-on experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, and problem-solving methodologies.
• A business-minded operator who understands financial performance, budgets, cost management, and operational decision making.
• A proactive and decisive problem solver who can identify opportunities, implement solutions, and deliver measurable results.
• An influential leader capable of driving process improvements and helping teams adopt more effective ways of working.
• Well-organized with strong planning, prioritization, and time management skills.

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, ment