Utilities Unit Manager

Ingredion Incorporated; Bedford Park (IL); On-site; USD 123,500 - 164,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) with company match

Relocation support

Job summary

Ingredion Incorporated is seeking a Utilities Manager for its Argo Plant in Bedford Park, IL. This role involves overseeing the daily operations of the Utilities Unit, ensuring the efficiency and availability of key utility assets. Responsibilities include leading a team, developing operational strategies, and achieving performance metrics.

Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in engineering, significant experience with utility systems, and strong leadership and communication skills. The position offers competitive compensation and benefits.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading cross-functional teams.
• Experience managing constrained capital and driving culture change.
• Strong understanding of asset and utility reliability.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Utilities Unit.
• Lead a team for performance improvements in plant utilities.
• Develop, monitor, and project budget performance for the Utilities Unit.

Skills

Leadership skills

Strong communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Experience with natural gas boilers

Ability to influence others

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, chemical, or industrial)

Tools

Power BI

SAP

Job description

Utilities Manager

Location: Bedford Park, IL (Argo Plant). Reports to: Maintenance, Reliability & Utilities Manager. Workplace: Onsite.

This role oversees day‑to‑day operations of the Utilities Unit, ensuring availability and efficiency of utilities assets for the plant. Responsibilities include managing steam, power, air, and water systems, leading a team, and achieving key performance indicators related to asset availability, efficiency, and cost management.

What You Will Do

• Lead a team of professionals and associates to deliver results and drive performance improvements in plant utilities.
• Monitor and improve specific energy and water consumption metrics.
• Provide insights to other unit managers on the performance of their units.
• Develop and execute short- and long-term strategies for utility operations.
• Implement the Ingredion Performance System and support corporate sustainability initiatives.
• Develop, monitor, and project budget performance for the Utilities Unit.
• Forecast utilities consumption and identify opportunities for improvement across the utility’s footprint.
• Collaborate with plant and corporate functions to deliver utilities initiatives.
• Drive the completion of root cause problem elimination within the team when failures or utility interruptions occur.
• Monitor the performance and accountability of the maintenance team within the unit.
• Contribute to a plant capital strategy for asset replacement and process improvement.
• Interact daily with other operating units to communicate utilities performance and impacts, collaborate on needs-based interruptions, and coordinate troubleshooting efforts.
• Report on daily, weekly, and monthly key performance indicators.
• Prepare and maintain weekly and monthly performance metrics, deviation treatment and action completion, safety and people performance records, and development plans for team members.
• Utilize tools and systems such as Power BI, SAP, and production data from other operating units to monitor and manage utilities performance and operations.

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, chemical, or industrial engineering desired; alternative education considered.
• Experience with natural gas boilers, steam distribution, feed‑water treatment, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, steam turbine generators, electrical distribution, compressed air, and water systems preferred.
• Significant experience leading cross‑functional teams.
• Strong understanding of asset and utility reliability, with ability to develop improvement strategies.
• Experience managing constrained capital and driving culture change to meet organizational demands.

What You Will Bring

• Leadership skills in managing a matrixed team, implementing management systems, and focusing on people development.
• Proven track record of driving results through team performance.
• Ability to influence others toward positive change inside and outside the direct chain of command; decisive, goals‑oriented, capable of independent decision making.
• Excellent communication skills for presentations, reports, and training at all experience levels.
• Strong interpersonal skills suited to task force and consulting assignments; ability to interface effectively with team members, management, customers, and vendors.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay range: $123,500.00 – $164,700.00 per year, plus annual incentive plan or role‑specific commission/bonus. Full‑time roles qualify for a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision coverage, 401(k) with company match, and additional wellness support.

Relocation available within the region.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We will not tolerate discrimination based on any protected classification and provide accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process.

Ingredion uses AI‑enabled tools to support part of the recruitment process; all AI‑assisted decisions are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team to ensure fairness and compliance with applicable laws.