Head Miller II

Ardent Mills•Lake City, MN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Head Miller II is responsible for leading operations at high complexity milling facilities that handle multiple wheat classes and produce a broad portfolio of base and specialty flours. In most cases, the Head Miller II leads milling operations independently, without additional managerial support from a Senior Head Miller or Head Miller. You will oversee the full scope of milling operations—including production, maintenance, sanitation, and team development—while upholding Ardent Mills’ standards for safety, quality, and efficiency. You will be a key driver of continuous improvement and operational excellence, ensuring compliance with company policies and fostering a high-performance culture. As a visible leader, you will play a critical role in positioning Ardent Mills as the flour supplier of choice in your region.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with 5-8 years of milling and leadership experience, or a high school diploma/GED with 10-12 years in similar roles.
Advanced expertise in equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
Proven ability to implement LEAN practices in complex, high-volume environments.
Mastery of cleaning, milling, and conveying systems, with advanced pneumatic system knowledge.
Extensive proficiency in CMMS and CAD software for detailed system designs.
Strong track record of leading process improvement initiatives and training programs.
Proven experience in successfully leading mid-scale capital projects, effectively managing associated contractors while operating with minimal on-site engineering support.
Ability to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as is required by the operating areas (i.e. safety glasses, protective footwear, hearing protection and, at times, a respirator)
Ability to work a machine paced continuous process that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with conditions which include: Heat/cold temperatures (inclement weather), Dusty environment, Noisy environment, Frequent moving/vibration/ or other motion of equipment/processes, Elevated places, to include stairs/ladders
Ability to perform work at a computer and other administrative/managerial tasks
Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now and in the future
Team members must be clean-shaven in order to perform tasks where respiratory protection is required and the use of a respirator (including N-95 dust mask) requires a proper seal for adequate protection.

Nice To Haves

Ability to travel 5-10%
Willing to relocate as promotional opportunities exist throughout career

Responsibilities

Identify and resolve operational discrepancies, implementing focused solutions with clear timelines.
Collaborate with the milling team to enhance production efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality.
Develop and execute maintenance plans to ensure optimal operation of milling equipment and identify critical spare parts.
Partner with the Milling Center of Excellence (COE) to create effective training programs for millers and interns, fostering skill development across the workforce.
Act as project manager for capital improvements and lead larger-scale projects in collaboration with the engineering team.
Utilize key performance metrics to benchmark and drive operational improvements.
Maintain compliance with company policies, regulatory standards, and safety protocols, ensuring a clean and safe work environment.