Operations Manager

Kokomo Grain Co.; Indiana; On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kokomo Grain Co. in Indiana is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee grain receiving, storage, and shipping while ensuring safety and efficiency. You will lead the Operations team, address employee and customer concerns, and uphold company guidelines.

The role requires hands-on leadership, collaboration with the Facility Manager, and regular safety training. Experience in grain facilities and strong mechanical and computer skills are preferred, with longer hours during harvest season.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; 5 years of grain facility experience preferred.
• Associate or Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Trains staff on outside duties with hands-on demonstrations.
• Oversees day-to-day facility operations and staffing.
• Manages grain movement between bins and loading for shipment.
• Conducts annual employee reviews and supports development.
• Operates PLC to control grain movement.
• Coordinates safety meetings with the Safety Director and maintains records.
• Schedules staffing during harvest and post-harvest periods.
• Ensures OSHA compliance and quality controls.
• Maintains equipment and performs routine inspections.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Training/mentoring

Planning & scheduling

Safety compliance

Mechanical knowledge

Education

High school diploma

Associate or Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

PLC software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Department:

Operations

Supervises:

Operations Technicians; Seasonal Employees

Reports to:

Facility Manager

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Position Summary

Receives, stores, and ships grain, and ensures that the facility runs safely and efficiently. Responsible for making sure that all company guidelines and procedures are followed and address employee, customer, and employee concerns.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Uses a hands‑on method to train all employees on outside duties by first demonstrating the task for the employee and then observing them complete the tasks. This ensures accuracy and the ability to properly complete tasks.
2. Confers with Facility Manager or General Manager of Grain as needed.
3. Oversees the day‑to‑day work of the facility, ensuring that staffing is adequately provided in key areas.
4. Oversees the work of employees in the movement of grain between bins at the facility.
5. Supervises employees, and conducts employee reviews on an annual basis, helping to guide employees in their development.
6. Operates the PLC computer to facilitate grain movement.
7. Works in conjunction with the Safety Director so that safety meetings are held on a regular basis. Ensures that safety records and training are kept up to date on a regular basis at the facility.
8. Properly schedules staffing at the facility, particularly during harvest and post‑harvest bin sweeping times.
9. Receives grain by dumping trucks, wagons, etc., into appropriate dump pits.
10. Ensures that employees, customers, and contractors follow safety procedures. This includes completing permit forms and scheduling safety equipment inspections. Maintains accountability for safety in all aspects of operations per OSHA guidelines.
11. Guarantees grain quality by segregating according to moisture content and actual grain quality so that it may be dried or blended to ship to processors for less discounts and more profit.
12. Load trucks for shipment to the processor; first, make sure weights (under 80,000 lbs.) and grades are acceptable.
13. Ensures that truck scales are maintained to standards for safety and accuracy. This is achieved by keeping the top and bottom of the scale area clear of grain.
14. Repairs and maintains equipment such as greasing and replacing bearings, adjusting, and replacing belts, leg buckets, conveyor chains, etc., and keeping proper permits in place.
15. Maintains lock‑out/tag‑out procedures where needed. Also, it promotes safety through the use of proper signage, bulletin boards, and posters.
16. Conducts structural inspections daily, looking for cracks in bin steel, broken bolts, and missing parts.
17. Assumes other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

1. Performs routine maintenance such as painting, keeping driveway stone sufficient, keeping dust to a minimum whenever possible, and keeping the shop clean and organized.
2. Possesses good computer skills with a working knowledge of Microsoft programs.
3. Keeps the facility clean and pest‑free.
4. Works well with railroad operations (where applicable) and truckers.
5. Monitors upkeep of all equipment. Submit needs for belts, bearings, office supplies, safety equipment, etc.
6. Removes snow from the grounds to ensure safety and permits traffic as needed.
7. Uses the sweep auger to clean out bins.
8. Make sure the facility is clean at the end of the day. This includes covering the dumps and putting locks in place.
9. Assumes other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Characteristics and Attributes

1. Possesses interpersonal relationship skills required to maintain good rapport with employees, customers, contractors, and processors.
2. Has the ability to work independently or jointly, depending on what the situation necessitates.
3. Conducts regular sound planning and organizes skills to coordinate outgoing shipments, incoming grain, and repairs.
4. Possesses experienced knowledge of mechanical operations and repair of equipment at the facility.
5. Is dependable and flexible in working hours to meet the needs of processors and customers, such as longer hours and/or early mornings during harvest. Ensures that the job gets done in a timely manner with safety in mind.
6. Ensure that safety requirements are always adhered to.

Requirements

Supervisory Responsibilities

Manages the Operation Technicians in daily activities to ensure a smooth operation at the Center and to carry out the daily operations of the business.

Education, Experience, and Licensure

At least a high school graduate with 5 years of prior experience. An Associate or Bachelor’s degree is preferred. Prior experience working in a grain facility is preferred, but not essential.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to temperature extremes while outdoors. The employee must be able to work in a dusty environment and may be required to lift heavy objects from time to time. This individual may experience long periods of time on his/her feet, especially during the harvest season. Also, the employee in this position will experience long working hours during harvest.

Mental Demands

This position requires that the employee have the ability to read, react, demonstrate common sense, and endure long hours during harvest. This person must have the ability to respond to common inquiries, suggestions, and special requests. This employee must have the ability to effectively present information to managers, customers, and employees. The ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions is also required.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The employees will work outside with general hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Longer hours are required during the harvest season. Work conditions may be dusty at times, and the work can be physically demanding.

Confidentiality

Employees in this position acknowledge that the information they acquire from Kokomo Grain or a related third party is considered confidential.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature a level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees so classified. Management retains the discretion to add or change the duties of the position at any time.