Full-Time

Assistant Plant Manager

Posted on 8/18/2025

Ardent Mills

Ardent Mills

1,001-5,000 employees

Flour milling and plant-based ingredient supplier

Compensation Overview

$102.6k - $136.9k/yr

+ Bonus - OIP, 15% Annual

No H1B Sponsorship

Cottage Grove, MN, USA

In Person

10-25% travel required.

Category
Operations & Logistics (1)
Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree with 2-4 years or High School diploma/GED with 6-8 years of experience in flour milling or related manufacturing industry
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in continuous improvement methodologies, tools, trends and best practices
  • Demonstrated ability to use metrics to drive change
  • Experience with assembly or process manufacturing
  • Experience with process optimization
  • Familiar with safety, environmental, and regulatory policies
  • Demonstrated success with project management, including developing capital plans and managing from planning to completion
Responsibilities
  • Manage operations, including food safety, plant quality, customer experience, employee and asset safety, plant security, plant environmental, cost savings, continuous improvement, adoption of initiatives and innovation that generate world class efficiencies, and competitive positioning
  • Lead a zero-loss culture, assuring a safe working environment and compliance with all EHS and Food Safety Standards
  • Formulate or approve short- and long-term operating objectives in areas such as cost reduction, quality improvement, new product development and/or integration
  • Drive customer execution to deliver results that meet quality and customer service objectives
  • Develop strong customer interaction and relationships
  • Collaborate across all functions to achieve optimal total business margin for the plant and the enterprise
  • Provide positive labor relations management, contract negotiation and/or union avoidance
  • Identify operational discrepancies and provide focused solutions with a timeline for corrective action
  • Work with the plant team to continuously improve maintenance and reliability program, the production process, improve safety, optimize production costs, and enhance product quality by implementing best and standard practices
  • Work with facility staff and corporate functional leads to plan and execute plant managed capital improvements
  • Communicate business results and identify gaps for improvement of key metrics
  • Lead a culture and drive activities that help to fulfill Our Promise
  • Maintain compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, quality specifications, safety standards, and sanitation practices
Desired Qualifications
  • Additional 2-4 years of experience with demonstrated increases in responsibility
  • Demonstrated ability to create, modify, and write specifications, training materials, and/or best practices
  • Willingness to continue to develop and broaden an extensive knowledge of relevant areas of expertise

Ardent Mills operates a network of over 35 flour mills and mixing facilities to supply flours and whole grains to food manufacturers and bakeries. The company processes raw grains into specialized ingredients and multi-use flours that serve as the foundation for various plant-based food products. Unlike traditional suppliers, it integrates expertise in agriculture, food technology, and milling to provide a comprehensive partnership for businesses of all sizes. Its goal is to transform global nourishment by developing sustainable plant-based solutions and reliable supply chains across North America.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Denver, Colorado

Founded

2014

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Erik Wibholm's May 26, 2026, appointment strengthens commodity risk hedging.
  • Stone Mill acquisition expands North Dakota specialty grain capabilities.
  • Sheryl Wallace's Cargill expertise bolsters joint venture partnerships.

What critics are saying

  • Mankato mill closure in January 2026 erodes supply reliability.
  • ADM's 2025 acquisitions capture alternative grains market share.
  • Cargill alumni influx divides loyalties in Conagra-Cargill JV.

What makes Ardent Mills unique

  • Ardent Mills holds 17.8% US flour milling market share with 40+ facilities.
  • Specializes in Ultragrain, Sustagrain, organic, gluten-free, and pulses.
  • Launched Ancient Grains Plus and Egg Replace for clean-label baking.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Hybrid Work Options

401(k) Company Match

Wellness Program

Team Member and Family Assistance Program (EAP)

Company News

Nebraska Ag Connection
Mar 13th, 2026
UNL Awards Alumni and Service Honors

UNL awards Alumni and Service honors. Friday, March 13, 2026 The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Agricultural Economics recognized several individuals and an agricultural publication for their contributions to agriculture and the department during its annual Student, Alumni, and Service Recognition Banquet held March 10, 2026. Mike Miller, Vice President of Trading and Risk Management at Ardent Mills, and Alejandro Plastina, Associate Professor of Agricultural Finance at the University of Missouri, received the department's 2026 Outstanding Alumni Awards. Nebraska Farmer magazine received the department's 2026 Outstanding Service Award. These awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made meaningful contributions to the department and to Nebraska agriculture. The department's work focuses on areas such as agribusiness, agricultural production, profitability, natural resources, rural development, international trade, and agricultural policy. Mike Miller has more than 35 years of experience in commodities trading and risk management. At Ardent Mills, he leads the company's wheat and mill-feed price risk management efforts and works with the leadership team on trading strategies and customer risk management. Earlier in his career, Miller held leadership and trading roles at Cargill and Horizon Milling. Miller also contributes to the agricultural industry through service and education. He has served on the Foundation Board of Alpha Gamma Sigma, the Advisory Council of the JP Morgan Center for Commodities, and the Board of Directors of the National Grain and Feed Association. In addition, he teaches Foundations of Commodities as an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado. Raised on a family farm near Clatonia, Nebraska, Miller earned his agribusiness degree from the University of Nebraska in 1990. Alejandro Plastina is the Frank G. Miller Professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Missouri and director of the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center. His research focuses on farm financial management, agricultural policy, conservation, and risk management. Plastina previously studied at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he earned a doctorate in Agricultural Economics and a master's degree in Statistics. His research collaborations with universities and policy partners have received national recognition, including awards from the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. Nebraska Farmer magazine received the Outstanding Service Award for its long history of supporting agriculture. Founded in 1859, the publication is one of the oldest agricultural magazines in Nebraska. The magazine continues to provide information to approximately 25,000 farm households in Nebraska and maintains a strong partnership with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Nebraska Extension.

AgMotion
Aug 1st, 2025
Ardent Mills agrees to acquire long-time AgMotion & Terra Ingredients partner Stone Mill

Home " News " Ardent Mills agrees to acquire long-time AgMotion & Terra Ingredients partner Stone Mill.

BNP Media
Aug 1st, 2025
Ardent Mills to potentially acquire grain cleaning facility

Ardent Mills to potentially acquire grain cleaning facility.

Cision
Jul 31st, 2025
Ardent Mills Enters Agreement to Acquire Stone Mill in North Dakota, Expanding Emerging Nutrition Portfolio

/CNW/ -- Ardent Mills, the premier flour-milling and ingredient company, today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Stone Mill, a specialty...

Gray Media
Nov 21st, 2024
Report: Ardent Mills to close Mankato mill in January

Report: Ardent Mills to close Mankato mill in january.

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