Plant Operations Lead & Incident Commander

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

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.