Unit Manager

Ingredion Incorporated (NA-US); Bedford Park (IL); On-site; USD 124,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation available

Annual incentive plan

401(k) matching

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Job summary

Ingredion Incorporated in Bedford Park, IL, is seeking an experienced Unit Manager to lead a high-performing team and safely execute production plans, driving safety, quality, cost, and sustainability.

You will oversee EHS compliance, optimize maintenance, improve processes, and maximize raw material utilization while aligning with site and plant goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Proven supervisory experience leading hourly staff.
• Experience with GMP, quality, and safety regulations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead EHS compliance and performance; environmental reporting and incident investigations.
• Oversee unit operations and personnel to execute production plans and communicate deviations.
• Drive KPIs: Safety, Quality, Cost, Production, Energy, Sustainability.
• Evaluate capital projects and process improvements to enhance efficiency.
• Prioritize maintenance activities and foster reliability culture.
• Maximize raw material utilization to meet customer demands.

Skills

Bachelor's degree in operations

Supervisory experience

Industry experience in food/pharma

GMP knowledge

MS Excel & Word proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Operations/Engineering/Science

Tools

Microsoft Office

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: Bedford Park, IL (Argo Plant) Workplace type: On Site

As Unit Manager

you will lead a high-performing team to safely and efficiently execute operational strategies that align with site and divisional goals, driving excellence in safety, quality, cost, and sustainability.

What you will do:

• Lead EHS compliance and performance by ensuring environmental reporting, incident investigations using RCA, and development of annual safety objectives aligned with site initiatives.
• Oversee unit operations and personnel to reliably execute production plans, monitor output, and communicate deviations to site leadership.
• Drive performance against key KPIs including Safety, Quality, Cost, Production, Energy Conservation, and Sustainability.
• Evaluate and recommend capital projects and process improvements to enhance efficiency, facility longevity, and product performance.
• Prioritize and optimize maintenance activities, fostering a culture of ownership and reliability within the unit.
• Maximize raw material utilization to meet internal and external customer demands with high-quality, high-volume output.
• Champion continuous improvement and cost control, aligning unit efforts with plant financial goals and long-term asset protection.

What you will bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and substantial operations experience, including management of an hourly workforce, or equivalent education and experience.
• Supervisory experience required, with a strong track record of team leadership and performance management.
• Industry experience preferred in food, pharmaceutical ingredients, or related products, with knowledge of GMP, quality, and safety regulations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Word, with strong computer literacy.

Who you are:

• Comprehensive understanding of manufacturing operations and customer needs, with the ability to align processes accordingly.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, fostering collaboration, motivation, and positive relationships across teams and with customers.
• Talent development expertise, with the ability to assess team effectiveness and implement impactful growth strategies for both salaried and hourly staff.
• Innovative problem-solving mindset, capable of challenging traditional approaches and implementing creative, effective solutions.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, lead meetings, and deliver clear, concise presentations.

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: #LI-JS2 #LI-ONSITEWe 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 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: $123,500.00-$164,700.00 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.