The Plant / Mill Manager role at Winland Foods provides hands on leadership and strategic direction making for critical manufacturing operations. This position will oversee plant wide operations (e.g. grain receiving and grading, grain processing and milling, rail car and bulk loading, flour and ingredient blending, along with other activities related to milled flour service and delivery for several pasta production sites throughout North America. Operational focus areas of responsibility will also include safety, quality, cost, delivery, and people leadership.
Success in this role is driven by the ability to engage employees, leverage data and Lean principles, and deliver consistent results while maintaining a safe, compliant, and empowering work environment.

Employee Type:

Full time

Location:

ND Minot

Job Type:

Production Operations

Job Posting Title:

Plant / MIll Manager

Job Description:

Schedule: Monday – Friday for a 24/7 mfg operations

Work Location: 5600 4th Ave NE, Minot, ND 58703

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness.

Salary, based on experience and other qualifications: $113k -$198k with potential bonus.

Key Responsibilities

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Champion a proactive, people‑first safety culture aligned with OSHA and company policies.

• Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, customer, organic, and corporate standards.

• Maintain superior sanitation and GMP programs that reflect pride in ownership.

• Lead risk identification, corrective actions, and continuous safety improvement.

Operational Excellence

• Lead day‑to‑day manufacturing and/or milling operations to meet production, yield, and efficiency targets.

• Ensure consistent delivery of high‑quality finished goods and raw materials that meet plant and customer requirements.

• Utilize KPIs such as OEE, efficiency, extraction rates, yields, uptime, and runtime to drive improvement.

• Balance performance across safety, quality, cost, service, and employee engagement.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead Lean and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste and variation.

• Apply root cause analysis and standard work to improve reliability, productivity, and cost.

• Drive year‑over‑year improvements in conversion cost, yields, and asset performance.

People Leadership & Engagement

• Lead, coach, develop, and inspire supervisors, salaried leaders, and hourly teams.

• Create an inclusive environment where employees feel valued, heard, and accountable.

• Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management.

• Conduct timely, meaningful performance reviews and development planning.

• Foster positive employee relations built on trust, communication, and respect.

Financial & Strategic Leadership

• Own or support the manufacturing operating budget (labor, utilities, supplies, and services).

• Identify, justify, and execute capital investments that deliver measurable ROI.

• Participate in business planning, goal setting, and execution.

• Partner cross‑functionally with Supply Chain, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, HR, and Procurement.

Mill Operations Focus

• Production of up to 500 million pounds annually of semolina, durum, and hard red spring wheat flour products.

• Management of wheat quality, blending, inventories, extraction rates, and grain logistics.

• Direct oversight of milling, sanitation, and preventive maintenance programs.

• Setting the 3 to 5 year capital plan for the site to maintain operational capability, and provide opportunities for growth and innovation for the future.

Plant Operations Focus

• Full manufacturing oversight of processing and/or packaging operations.

• Responsibility for plant‑wide KPIs including but not limited to timely and efficient receiving, outbound service level, order fill rate, and on time delivery.

• Leadership of multiple departments that have direct and indirect reporting alignment.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Milling Science, or related field.

• Minimum 5 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.

• Experience in food manufacturing, processing, milling, or packaging strongly preferred.

• Lean / Continuous Improvement experience desired.

• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding safety, quality, cost, and delivery goals.

• Strong communication, coaching, and relationship‑building skills.

• Results‑driven leader who thrives in a fast‑paced environment.

Physical & Working Conditions

• Manufacturing environment with exposure to temperature extremes, noise, dust, heights, and moving equipment.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physical tasks as needed.

• Use of required PPE.

• Periodic travel to other Winland Foods locations may be required.

EEO Statement:

Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and as a global company we believe our success is enhanced by fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace. Therefore, Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.