The FP&A Manager, Operations, serves as the primary Finance business partner to Operations Leadership and their plant teams, Procurement, FSQR, Ops COE, EHS, Transportation & Logistics, and Continuous Improvement. The role independently owns significant finance business partnerships and leads financial planning, forecasting, business analysis, management reporting, and decision support across supported functions. Exercising substantial independent judgment, this role advises business leaders and provides actionable financial insights to evaluate complex operational, investment, and performance decisions. The FP&A Manager, Operations, owns building a concise executive narratives that integrate performance, outlook, risks, opportunities, tradeoffs, and a clear call to action. This role plays an integral part in strengthening business performance and helping Ardent Mills achieve its financial and strategic objectives.

Drive cross-functional leadership with Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, EHS, FSQR, Ops. COE’s and Continuous Improvement leaders as a trusted Finance business partner, translating business priorities into financial plans, insights, and actions.

Lead annual operating plans, monthly forecasts, and long-range planning for supported functions, including P&L, balance sheet, management reporting, margin and transportation costs, and other operating costs.
Analyze financial and operational performance, identify root causes of variances, risks, and opportunities, and recommend actions to improve results.
Develop scenario models and decision support analyses for network optimization, sourcing, product movement, capacity, cost reduction, and other strategic choices.
Evaluate capital investments and improvement initiatives through business cases, cost-benefit analysis, capitalization guidance, and financial return validation.
Monitor Continuous Improvement initiatives throughout the project lifecycle, validating assumptions, savings, financial returns, compliance, and progress against targets.
Drive KPI, scorecard, dashboard, and predictive-reporting development to provide clear, actionable insight into operational and financial performance.
Own and lead monthly performance reviews and management reporting, clearly communicating results, outlook, headwinds, tailwinds, and required actions to business and Finance leaders.
Partner with and constructively challenge business leaders to close performance gaps by focusing action plans on value drivers, timing, accountability, and measurable outcomes.

Support cost-management strategies across the operating network, including plant efficiency, procurement savings, transportation, inventory, and utilities risk mitigation.

Translate enterprise strategy into network, capacity, sourcing, and productivity choices and to influence resource allocation.
Ownership of operations financial forecast accuracy, sensitivity analysis, assumption governance, and standard planning methods across supported operations.
Strengthen financial acumen across partner teams by connecting operational decisions to financial outcomes and promoting consistent, enterprise-aligned practices.
Provide data modeling, data governance and standardization, self-service analytics, and automation or AI-enabled insight generation.
Lead adoption and value realization for new planning tools, reporting routines, operating processes, and Finance ways of working.

Education

Bachelor's Degree OR equivalent experience.
MBA, CMA, CSCP, or other relevant advanced credential/certification preferred.

Experience

8+ years of relevant experience.
Progressive Finance & Accounting experience, including financial planning, business analysis, management reporting, or Finance business partnering; Operations or Supply Chain Finance experience preferred.
Demonstrated experience supporting Operations, Supply Chain, manufacturing, or other operationally intensive business functions and partnering directly with business leaders to drive financial performance and decision-making.
Experience with financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance management, including translating operational drivers into financial outcomes.
Experience developing financial models, business cases, scenario analyses, and investment evaluations to support strategic and operational decisions.
Experience with capital investment analysis, cost management, productivity/continuous improvement initiatives, or manufacturing and supply chain economics preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Serves as the primary Finance business partner for Operations and related functions, leading planning, forecasting, performance analysis, management reporting, decision support, and executive-level financial insights to help business leaders evaluate operational decisions, improve performance, and advance Ardent Mills’ financial and strategic objectives.
Business, Financial & Analytical Acumen – Strong understanding of business and financial value[GB6.1] drivers, with demonstrated capability in financial analysis, modeling, planning, forecasting, management reporting, and translating complex commercial and operational data into actionable business insights.
Strategic & Critical Thinking – Ability to connect financial and operational performance to business strategy, identify risks and opportunities, challenge assumptions, and develop practical recommendations.
Business Partnership, Judgment, & Influence – Ability to independently manage significant Finance business partnerships, exercise sound judgment on complex financial and operational matters, advise and influence business leaders, and constructively challenge decisions while maintaining credibility and trust.
Communication & Business Presence – Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly and credibly to financial and non-financial audiences, including senior leaders.
Ownership & Results Orientation – Strong execution mindset and an owner’s perspective, with accountability for driving outcomes and delivering high-quality results.
Collaboration & Emotional Intelligence – High degree of emotional intelligence and ability to work effectively across functions, perspectives, and organizational levels.
Change & Learning Agility – adaptability to leading adoption of new planning tools, processes, decision routines, and ways of working—including stakeholder readiness and sustained use—while demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and quickly building knowledge of the business, industry, systems, and evolving Finance capabilities.

Language

Travel

Less than 10% travel required

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Location:

Denver CO

Address:

1875 Lawrence Street, Denver CO, 80202

Additional Locations (if applicable):

Employment Type:

Full time

Additional Information:

Competitive Compensation:

We provide market-driven base pay, based on skills, abilities, and level of experiences. Our salary ranges are broad, and individual salary will be market competitive based on a candidate’s unique set of skills and level of experience. The starting range for this position is $128,300.00 - $153,900.00, with additional earning potential possible commensurate with experience. Additionally, we believe that our team members are the reason for our success and all team members are incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and individual results achieved. While the specific bonus plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions, the targeted bonus plan and targeted percentage amount for this role is Bonus - MIP, 15% Annual.

Benefits:

At Ardent Mills we offer a wide range of benefits to our team members and their eligible family members. Some of our great benefit programs you may be eligible for include: • Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage• Health and Dependent Savings Accounts • Life and Disability Programs • Voluntary Benefit Programs • Company Sponsored Wellness Programs • Retirement Savings with Company Match • Team Member and Family Assistance Program (EAP) • Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays • Employee Recognition Program with Rewards (RAVE).

Application Deadline:

12/22/202612/22/2026

EEO Commitment:

At Ardent Mills, everyone matters and everyone has a voice. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and team members and the decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic protected by law or not. Together, celebrating our differences, we make Ardent Mills. The preceding position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this position. The description, duties, functions, and responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of Ardent Mills.En Ardent Mills, todos importan y todos tienen voz. Estamos comprometidos a brindar un ambiente de respeto mutuo donde haya igualdad de oportunidades disponibles para todos los solicitantes y miembros del equipo y las decisiones se basarán en el mérito, la competencia, el desempeño y las necesidades comerciales. Estamos orgullosos de ser un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. No discriminamos por motivos de raza, color, religión, credo, origen nacional, ascendencia, estado civil, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad o expresión de género, discapacidad física o mental, embarazo, información genética, condición de veterano, edad, política. afiliación, o cualquier otra característica no meritoria protegida por ley o no. Juntos, celebrando nuestras diferencias, formamos Ardent Mills. La descripción del puesto anterior ha sido diseñada para indicar la naturaleza general y los deberes y responsabilidades esenciales del trabajo realizado por los empleados dentro de este puesto. Es posible que no contenga un inventario completo de todos los deberes, responsabilidades y calificaciones requeridas de los empleados en este puesto. La descripción, los deberes, las funciones y las responsabilidades están sujetos a cambios a discreción de Ardent Mills.

Role Designation

Ardent Mills is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. This role follows a hybrid work arrangement and will be based in the assigned work location. The successful candidate will be expected to work in person from their assigned office location two days per week (Tuesday and Wednesday), except when traveling for business.

Recruitment Fraud Disclaimer:

At Ardent Mills, the security of our employees and candidates is a priority. We will never request sensitive information such as your bank account information, social security number, or other non-publicly available information during the application and interview process. If someone asks you for sensitive information, we strongly advise that you assume that individual is not affiliated with Ardent Mills. Some things to watch out for:

Slightly altered or unprofessional email addresses. Ardent Mills’ Recruitment team only corresponds from email addresses with the domain [email protected] or [email protected].
Vague job requirements or job descriptions.Our open job opportunities and descriptions can be found at ardentmillscareers.com

About the company

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

Get referred to Ardent Mills

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

CHS said July 2026 rail flows send millions of bushels to Ardent Mills mills.
Ardent Mills opened a Tampa flour mill producing 1.8 million pounds daily.
Stone Mill expands organic, gluten-free, pulse processing after July 31, 2025 acquisition agreement.

What critics are saying

Fiscal 2026 earnings fell 28%; Conagra guides 2027 adjusted equity earnings near $140 million.
Ardent Mills closed Omaha, York, and Steptoe in January 2026, shrinking capacity.
NLRB case 03-CA-393130 opened August 19, 2026, creating labor and operations risk.

What makes Ardent Mills unique

Conagra, Cargill, and CHS own Ardent Mills, anchoring grain access and customer reach.
Erik Wibholm’s May 2026 hire deepens commodity risk management at scale.
Ardent Mills links wheat mills with specialty ingredients through Stone Mill and Emerging Nutrition.

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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

Company News

Insider Monkey

Oct 5th, 2026

What is the market really pricing into Conagra (CAG)?

What is the market really pricing into Conagra (CAG)? Published October 5, 2026 at 12:36 am EDT Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG) enters fiscal 2027 anchored by a resilient dividend yield near 5% and a low forward P/E valuation, reflecting a mature packaged-food player committed to steady cash generation despite revenue headwinds. While long-term fundamentals show consistent free cash flow conversion and a disciplined capital allocation policy, the business model faces a pivotal juncture: margin preservation through operational cost controls versus persistent volume pressures. The core case hinges on whether management's portfolio simplification, targeted brand reinvestment, and productivity initiatives can protect earnings power while its balance sheet deleverages. Yet, as consumer habits shift toward health-conscious eating, can new product positioning reverse declining appetites? Find out how Conagra bets GLP-1 friendly labels can offset a shrinking appetite for its food here. When Conagra Brands reported its first quarter of fiscal 2027 on September 30, organic net sales slipped 1.1%. Adjusted earnings per share still rose 5.1% to $0.41, and management left every full-year target untouched. Shrinking sales alongside growing profit is the whole debate, and the stock's price tag makes it more interesting. Earnings keep quietly growing. The profit line is holding up better than the sales line suggests. Adjusted earnings benefited from lower overhead and from the Ardent Mills joint venture, whose earnings jumped 71.8% to $50 million as wheat swings created trading gains worth $0.03 a share. That windfall is hard to repeat on demand, but Ardent converts at least 80% of its profit into cash, so the income is real. Meanwhile, Conagra is spending more on marketing, with advertising and promotion up 15.1% to $61 million, aimed at meat snacks, popcorn, and single-serve meals. However, internal governance and executive compensation models remain under fire from proxy advisory groups; click to see if turnaround incentives can preserve management accountability amid ISS pay opposition. Management is also cleaning house. Exiting Celeste Pizza trimmed first-quarter sales by 15 basis points yet improved profit, and more than 400 single-serve meal items could be pared into a faster-selling lineup. Fewer products should mean bigger purchase orders and simpler plants, though most of that payoff is slated for fiscal 2028. The balance sheet buys time. Net debt is $193 million lower than a year ago, and nearly all borrowing carries a fixed rate. The company also sold a $500 million note at 5.4% in July, refinancing ahead of maturities. Volume keeps slipping away. Conagra is selling fewer items, and higher prices are not fully making up for it. Volume fell 2.1% overall, and Grocery & Snacks was worse, with volume down 5.4% even after price/mix added 3.4%. Second-quarter organic sales are expected to fall 2%, and the full year still points to a decline of 1% to 3%. Management has assumed shoppers will pull back sharply as prices rise and that rivals will not follow its increases. The consumer is described as muted, and convenience stores are hurting from higher gas prices, which hit a lineup heavy in meat snacks and seeds. At the same time, Conagra isn't the only packaged food giant battling sluggish demand and persistent cost inflation. Which iconic rival is facing its own high-stakes turnaround test as input expenses mount and market share hangs in the balance? Click here to find out. Costs are the second problem. Inflation is now expected at the higher end of 5% to 6% because transportation costs are running at double the planned rate. Operating margin slipped to 11.5% in the first quarter, and the full-year range of 10.0% to 10.5% implies more squeeze ahead. A slice of the earnings beat came from a one-time overhead benefit and timing, not repeatable strength. Cash is tight too. The quarter burned $128 million of free cash flow, and leverage should stay near 4x all year against a 3x goal, with interest expense around $360 million. Cheap price, loud skeptics. 43 hedge funds hold Conagra, up from 41 in the prior quarter, which is a small nod of confidence rather than a stampede. The louder signal is that 10.84% of the float is sold short, heavy skepticism that can also fuel a sharp rally if news turns. At 10.62 times forward earnings, as of October 2, you pay roughly $10.62 for each dollar of expected profit. A multiple that low says the market doubts the $1.40 to $1.50 of adjusted EPS management is guiding to, and the doubts have substance given falling volume and rising costs. Still, it assumes very little growth, so the stock needs proof of a stable earnings base more than a breakout. Is that a bargain or a trap? Debt is the other worry, though management says leverage is far from levels that would threaten its investment-grade rating. Waiting on fiscal 2028. Conagra leaves investors with a real tension: a low price attached to shrinking sales and rising costs. The bulls need simplification and heavier brand spending to turn into profit growth once today's inflation is behind the company. The bears need only a stretched consumer and worse-than-modeled price sensitivity to erode the earnings base. Until one of those plays out, the cheap multiple and the skeptics will sit side by side.

World-Grain

Jul 22nd, 2026

Ardent Mills' earnings drop for fiscal 2026.

Ardent Mills' earnings drop for fiscal 2026. 07.22.2026 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, US - Ardent Mills ended fiscal 2026 with lower earnings and gross profit after tallying gains on both fronts in the previous year. According to the 2026 10-K report filed July 15 by Chicago, Illinois, US-based Conagra Brands Inc., which owns 44% of the milling joint venture, after-tax earnings for Ardent Mills fell 28% to $267.4 million from $369.2 million in 2025, which had marked a 2.1% year-over-year increase. Ardent Mills' gross profit for 2026 dropped nearly 20% to $525.7 million after rising 2.2% to $656.2 million for 2025. At the top line, Ardent Mills saw sales decline for the third straight year. The Denver-based miller generated fiscal 2026 net sales of $3.71 billion, down 7% from just under $4 billion in fiscal 2025, when sales slid 13% year over year, Conagra said. That followed a 12% net sales decrease to nearly $4.6 billion in fiscal 2024. For the 2026 fourth quarter ended May 31, Conagra said equity method investment earnings - primarily representing its stake in Ardent Mills - fell 26% to $42.6 million from $57.4 million a year earlier. Full-year 2026 equity method investment earnings came in at $140.7 million for the 14-week quarter, down 23% from $182.4 million a year ago. "Ardent Mills earnings for fiscal 2026 reflected lower commodity trading revenue," Conagra said in its 10-K report. "Results for fiscal 2026 and 2025 included net charges of $9.6 million and $7.2 million, respectively, primarily related to Ardent Mills restructuring activities." Excluding the impact of restructuring activities and asset impairment for the joint venture, as well as unusual tax items, fiscal 2026 adjusted equity method earnings were $150.3 million, down 21% from $189.6 million a year earlier. Fourth-quarter adjusted equity method earnings declined 26% year over year to $45.1 million from $61 million. Ardent Mills is North America's biggest milling company. Conagra and Cargill each own 44% of Ardent Mills under the joint venture, formed in 2014, while CHS owns a 12% interest. When reporting third-quarter results back in April, Conagra had cut $30 million from its 2026 adjusted equity method earnings forecast of $170 million, with chief financial officer David Marberger citing pressure on Ardent Mills' commodity trading revenue from lower prices and less volatility in wheat markets at the time. For fiscal 2027, Conagra projects adjusted equity method earnings of approximately $140 million. In a July 15 conference call with analysts on Conagra's fourth-quarter 2026 performance, Matthew Neisius, senior director of investor relations, noted that Ardent Mills remains a "swing factor" in fiscal 2027 guidance. "Ardent Mills is always one that we keep an eye on, right?" Neisius said in the call. "Wheat prices have been a bit more volatile of late, but it's always challenging to extrapolate that into a full year." Get better grain and ag industry search results. Adding And World Grain tells Google to prioritize World Grain stories.

Grain Journal

Jul 15th, 2026

CHS-Ardent Mills partnership connects northern plains wheat to growing markets.

CHS-Ardent Mills partnership connects northern plains wheat to growing markets. by Editor Jul 15, 2026 Rail lines across northeastern North Dakota are moving millions of bushels of wheat each year as CHS and Ardent Mills work together to connect farmer-owned grain supplies with domestic flour markets and evolving consumer demand. In Drayton, North Dakota, shuttle trains carrying as many as 116 rail cars are loaded with about 420,000 bushels of grain per train. The CHS ag retail business units in Drayton and Devils Lake operate seven shuttle elevators that ship approximately 34 million bushels of hard red spring wheat annually. About half of those rail cars are filled with hard red spring wheat, much of it bound for Ardent Mills flour milling facilities across the United States. Hard red spring wheat is valued for its high protein content, which provides the elasticity needed for products such as bread and pizza dough. Ardent Mills, North America's largest wheat miller, is jointly owned by Conagra Brands, Cargill and CHS. The company operates nearly three dozen facilities processing traditional and organic grains from Washington to Massachusetts and from Saskatchewan to Puerto Rico. The ownership connection gives CHS access to a consistent source of demand for grain produced by its cooperative farmer-owners while providing greater visibility into customer needs for wheat quality, timing and volume. In turn, Ardent Mills benefits from the reach of the cooperative system and its connections with growers across major wheat-producing regions. While flour remains the company's primary business, Ardent Mills is also expanding its focus on specialty grains and ingredients through its Emerging Nutrition portfolio. The initiative targets growing demand for foods made with alternative grains and pulses, including chickpeas, lentils, sorghum and flax, while also supporting growers interested in organic production. Recent investments include the acquisition of Stone Mill, a specialty grain cleaning facility in Richardton, North Dakota, that connects chickpea and lentil growers in the Pacific Northwest with domestic and international markets, as well as an organic grain elevator in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The company also is investing in advanced milling capabilities for alternative grains and pulses to broaden the range of products available to food manufacturers. At the same time, Ardent Mills continues to expand its traditional flour operations. The company is increasing capacity at its Commerce City, Colorado, facility and recently opened a flour mill near Tampa, Florida, capable of producing 1.8 million pounds of flour each day. Company officials said consumer demand continues to support both traditional wheat products and nutrient-dense food ingredients, creating opportunities for growers who produce conventional wheat as well as specialty and organic crops.

Yahoo Finance

May 12th, 2026

Ardent Mills appoints Erik Wibholm as EVP of trading and risk management

Ardent Mills has appointed Erik Wibholm as executive vice president of trading and risk management, effective 26 May 2026. He will lead commodity risk management and trading activities whilst overseeing the Customer Risk Management team. Wibholm joins from Cargill, where he most recently served as senior managing director of global oilseeds. He brings over 25 years of experience in agricultural commodity markets, with expertise in global wheat businesses across Australia and Europe. He succeeds Mike Miller, who is retiring after 12 years with Ardent Mills and more than 35 years in agriculture and food. Miller played a pivotal role in developing the company's risk management organisation and served on boards including MIAX Futures Exchange and the National Grain and Feed Association.

PR Newswire

May 12th, 2026

Ardent Mills appoints Erik Wibholm as executive VP of trading and risk management

Ardent Mills has appointed Erik Wibholm as executive vice president of trading and risk management, effective 26 May 2026. He will join the executive team, overseeing commodity risk management, trading activities and customer risk management solutions. Wibholm joins from Cargill, where he served as senior managing director of global oilseeds, leading trading, commercial strategy and risk management. He brings over 25 years of experience in agricultural commodity markets, including expertise in global wheat operations across Australia and Europe. He succeeds Mike Miller, who is retiring after 12 years with Ardent Mills and more than 35 years in agriculture and food. Ardent Mills, headquartered in Denver, is a flour-milling and ingredient company operating over 40 locations across the US, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Ardent Mills

Financial Planning and Analysis Manager - Operations

About the job