Operations Manager

Iowa Ag; Creston (IA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Bunge in Creston, IA seeks an Operations Manager to lead the facility's daily operations, ensuring efficient grain handling, scheduling, and safety compliance. You will coordinate with regional leadership to maintain preparedness, control inventory and costs, and optimize material flow across the site.

The role requires hands-on leadership of maintenance, training, space allocation, and asset security, with emphasis on safety, OSHA standards, and sustainable practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or technical degree in agriculture, business, engineering, or safety.
• 3+ years’ leadership experience in grain elevator or terminal.
• Experience leading a safety program.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee inventory control per company requirements.
• Manage and monitor operating costs.
• Support facility improvements with location manager.
• Optimize mix and blend using in-house stocks and market grain.
• Schedule and lead preventative maintenance; ensure OSHA compliance.
• Develop operational staff and train on safety procedures.
• Ensure asset security and reduce theft risk.
• Lead onsite workers including contractors and temps.
• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and environmental programs.

Skills

Leadership

Inventory control

Safety compliance

Communication skills

Maintenance aptitude

Education

Bachelor or Technical Degree in Agriculture/Business/Engineering/Safety

Job description

City: Creston

State: Iowa (US-IA)

Country: United States (US)

Requisition Number: 48628

Job Summary:

The Operations Manager is responsible for providing operational leadership for the facility to ensure commercial execution, which includes providing technical and managerial expertise necessary for the efficient and profitable operation of the elevator and/or terminal. This person must work and communicate effectively with the Location and Regional Operations Managers to assure the facility is in a constant state of preparedness to meet schedules and take advantage of opportunities that arise. This includes inventory control, operational cost control and logistics, mix & blend including grain conditioning and space allocation, preventative maintenance, talent management including production planning, energy conservation, and asset security.

Essential Job Functions:

• Manage and assure effective inventory control within company requirements
• Engage and maintain at or below the operational cost control plan
• Assist location manager in development and execution of facility improvements
• Maximize mix & blend opportunities by utilizing in house stocks and grain available in the marketplace using effective space allocation
• Schedule and lead all preventative maintenance functions while maintaining a safe and reliable facility in compliance with OSHA grain handling standards
• Lead talent development for operational staff to manage cost and guarantee uninterrupted facility operations
• Ensure all operational staff is properly trained and ensure they comprehend all safety and operating procedures
• Comprehend generic program language, extrapolate critical or pertinent data, and apply to a site-specific application
• Ensure implementation of energy conservation program and enhance sustainability while reducing energy cost and/or consumption of energy.
• Ensure security of asset to minimize or eliminate exposure to theft, property damage, vandalism, and trespassing.
• Lead workers onsite, including contractors, temps, and service providers
• Provide leadership and ensure compliance with all required safety, regulatory, environmental, and company programs while applying program specifics to your facility, including Federal, State, and Local regulations regarding Occupation Health and Safety, Environmental Protection, and Operational Permit requirements

Other Job Functions:

• Communicate effectively with regional leadership regarding all aspects of the facility and operation
• Demonstrate regular attendance and timeliness

Qualifications/Education/Experience/Skills:

• Bachelor or Technical Degree in Agriculture, Business, Engineering, and/or Safety (preferred)
• 3+ years’ experience in a grain elevator or terminal in a leadership capacity
• Experience in leading an effective safety program
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office skills preferred
• Strong mechanical and maintenance aptitude with ability to operate, service and troubleshoot machinery
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Ability to work and interact well with others is a must

Special Demands:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, use hands, kneel, and ben
• Exposure to moderate to loud noise within the work environment.
• Exposure to heavy concentrations of grain dust.
• Ability to frequently move safely over uneven terrain or in confined spaces.
• Ability to frequently wear personal protective equipment correctly, including respirators, fall protection, safety glasses, hard hat, etc.
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders.
• Ability to comfortably work at heights of approximately 200 ft.
• Ability to work in outdoor work environment, including various climates, weather conditions, and inclement weather, approximately 80% of the time.
• Ability to perform all job responsibilities with necessary special demands for up to 8 hours per day.

Job Type: Full-time

At Bunge (NYSE: BG), our purpose is to connect farmers to consumers to deliver essential food, feed and fuel to the world. As a premier agribusiness solutions provider, our team of 34,000 dedicated employees partner with farmers across the globe to move agricultural commodities from where they're grown to where they're needed in faster, smarter, and more efficient ways. We are a world leader in grain origination, storage, distribution, oilseed processing and refining, offering a broad portfolio of plant-based oils, fats, and proteins. We work alongside our customers at both ends of the value chain to deliver quality products and develop tailored, innovative solutions that address evolving consumer needs. With 200+ years of experience and presence in over 50 countries, we are committed to strengthening global food security, advancing sustainability, and helping communities prosper where we operate. Bunge has its registered office in Geneva, Switzerland and its corporate headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. Learn more at Bunge.com.

Every day our people exemplify these values, which represent Bunge at its core:

We Are One Team Collaborative, Respectful, Inclusive

We Lead The Way Agile, Empowered, Innovative

We Do What's Right Safety, Sustainability, With Integrity

If this sounds like you, join us! We value and invest in people who believe in our purpose and are excited to live it every day people who are #ProudtoBeBunge