Food Pilot Plant Manager

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: Bridgewater, NJ

Workplace type: Hybrid/ 4 days a week on-site/1 day a week remote

Food Pilot Plant Manager

What is the role of this position?  

The Food Pilot Plant Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership and operational management of the Bridgewater Food Pilot Plant. This role oversees all pilot plant activities supporting global projects, customer projects, solution development, process scale-up, prototype production, people training, differentiated service model and commercialization across global, regional, and customer-focused initiatives. 

As the critical link between laboratory development and commercial manufacturing, the Food Pilot Plant Manager ensures the safe, efficient, and compliant execution of pilot-scale manufacturing operations while driving capability enhancement and operational excellence. The role is accountable for facility operations, maintenance performance, food safety and quality systems, regulatory compliance, and employee safety. 

The Manager fosters a culture of safety, continuous improvement, technical excellence, and customer focus while ensuring compliance with GMP, FSMA, Environmental Monitoring Programs (EMP), and all applicable health, safety, and environmental requirements. 

What you will do:

Pilot Plant Leadership, Innovation & Commercialization 

• Lead all aspects of the Bridgewater Food Pilot Plant, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations that support innovation, solution development, scale-up, and commercialization activities. 

• Serve as the critical link between R&D and commercial manufacturing by translating laboratory concepts into scalable manufacturing solutions. 

• Oversee prototype development and production for customer evaluations, trade shows, innovation initiatives, and market launches.

• Provide technical leadership and operational support for product optimization, process troubleshooting, manufacturing transfers, and customer commercialization efforts. 

Capability Enhancement & Operational Excellence  

• Monitor and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) for pilot plant operations, maintenance effectiveness, project execution, and resource utilization.  

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, efficiency, reliability, cost optimization, and customer experience. 

• Develop and execute strategies to enhance pilot plant capabilities, technologies, equipment, and processes to meet evolving business and customer needs. 

• Manage facility assets, maintenance programs, capital investment planning, and equipment lifecycle strategies to ensure optimal operational performance. 

Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance 

• Ensure full compliance with food safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including GMP, HACCP, FSMA, EMP (Environmental Monitoring Program), OSHA, and company standards. 

• Maintain and develop robust sanitation, environmental monitoring, and product safety programs.  

• Lead food safety and quality management systems, audit readiness activities, corrective and preventive actions, risk assessments, and continuous compliance improvements. 

Safety Leadership 

• Champion a world-class safety culture by ensuring compliance with all health, safety, and environmental regulations and company policies. 

• Lead safety programs, hazard assessments, incident investigations, corrective actions, and employee engagement initiatives to achieve zero injuries and promote continuous safety improvement. 

• Ensure safe operation of pilot-scale processing equipment and maintain a proactive approach to risk mitigation across all facilities.  

People Leadership & Talent Development 

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of pilot plant operators, technicians and technical professionals. 

• Drive employee engagement, succession planning, capability building, technical training, and career development initiatives. 

• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused culture that promotes accountability, innovation, continuous learning, and operational excellence.  

• Manage performance planning, coaching, talent reviews, recognition programs, and workforce development to ensure organizational effectiveness and future readiness. 

What you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Engineering, or a related technical discipline required. 

• 10+ years of experience in food manufacturing, pilot plant operations, process development, or related technical operations. 

• 3+ years of leadership experience managing technical, operations, or manufacturing teams. 

• Demonstrated experience supporting product development, process scale-up, and commercialization activities. 

• Experience working in food manufacturing environments with strong knowledge of food safety and quality systems.  

• Strong understanding of pilot plant operations, food processing technologies, and manufacturing systems. 

• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, FSMA, OSHA, and applicable regulatory requirements.

• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies and operational excellence programs. 

• Strong project management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. 

Who you are:

• Detail-oriented and organized with strong communication and collaboration skills. 

• A strategic thinker with a focus on execution and results.

• Good judgment and high integrity, with demonstrated customer-focused approach and ability to balance innovation, operational performance, and business priorities.  

• A strong leader with a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all organizational levels. 

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:

• Total Rewards Package – Competitive salary and performance-based pay recognizing your contributions to our success.

• Comprehensive Benefits & Wellness Support – Health, long-term savings, and resources for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being

• Career Growth – Learning, training, and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement

• Employee Recognition Program – A culture of real-time appreciation, with personalized recognition rewards globally

• Employee Discount Program – Provides exclusive discounts on everyday products, services, and travel

#LI-JG1

We 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 by law (“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 Region

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.