Full-Time

Operations Development Associate

Posted on 11/30/2025

Deadline 12/15/25
Ardent Mills

Ardent Mills

1,001-5,000 employees

Flour milling and plant-based ingredient supplier

Compensation Overview

$67.6k - $74.7k/yr

Denver, CO, USA

In Person

Willing to relocate across US facilities; travel up to 15%.

Category
Operations & Logistics (1)
Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Milling Science, Agricultural Studies, Business, Operations, Food Science, Biosystems Engineering, Mechanized Systems or related studies, or 3+ years of leadership experience
  • Demonstrated leadership capabilities
  • Ability to travel up to 15% of the time
  • Willing to relocate as promotional opportunities exist throughout career
  • Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now and in the future
  • Except where prohibited by law, all offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test and pre-employment background check
  • Team members must be clean shaven in order to perform tasks where respiratory protection is required and the use of a respirator requires a proper seal for adequate protection
Responsibilities
  • Lead others, ensuring personnel safety and food safety
  • Ensure equipment reliability through sound maintenance practices
  • Monitor key performance indicators and costs associated with production
  • Manage team members, their schedules and department staffing
  • Relocate to other Ardent Mills facilities within the United States upon gaining skills and experiences throughout the program
  • Work alongside your team members, which may include long days, rotating shifts (days, evenings, and nights) as well as weekend or holiday work
  • Deliver results by inspiring others and working to earn trust every day
  • Serve others with understanding, respect, and care
  • Operate with simplicity, clarity, and transparency
  • Deal with and drive change
  • Organize, prioritize, and own multiple tasks while meeting or exceeding deadlines
  • Learn and apply new technology and share your knowledge with others
  • Carry out all activities with reliability, integrity, compliance and in a safe, environmentally responsible, and efficient manner

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

  • Rising ancient grains demand boosts Ancient Grains Plus sales growth.
  • Kurt Long's September 2024 VP role strengthens alternative grains strategy.
  • Shrene White's FY25 ESG VP advances sustainable farming partnerships.

What critics are saying

  • Mankato mill closes January 2026 after Port Allen, signaling inefficiencies.
  • Stone Mill integration fails, overlapping AgMotion operations divert resources.
  • Puerto Rico facilities halt 10-15% production from 2026 hurricane storms.

What makes Ardent Mills unique

  • Ardent Mills leads with Ancient Grains Plus clean-label blend launched FY24.
  • Egg Replace innovates plant-based solutions amid volatile egg markets.
  • Stone Mill acquisition expands specialty nutrition portfolio in North Dakota.

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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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