Area Manager, Wet Mill

Ready to take a big step forward in your leadership career? Join a manufacturing market leader that is investing in growth.

ABOUT PRIMIENT

Established yet entrepreneurial: Primient is an industry leader with proven products, six manufacturing plants, 1500+ employees and deep roots in corn wet milling. Yet we’re also a brand-new company that is ready to drive change and create impact.

Investing in the future of Decatur : We are making an unprecedented investment in our plant and people to create a state-of-the-art facility. It will be a rewarding place for people to work now and for generations to come.

Poised for a new era of success: our goal is to unlock the full potential of Decatur and our other US locations. The market is strong for our plant-based ingredients, which go into everything from sodas to hand cream and cardboard to clothing. As our business grows, our people will grow.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our Area Manager role is key to the safety, efficiency, quality, production, cost, staffing and project management of our facility. You will become a go-to technical expert and a leader who is trusted to bring out the best in our people and technology.

This position ensures the organization, planning, direction, and control of process & technical changes/improvements and technical documentation for a production unit. The position provides the technical expertise to maintain, continuously develop, and improve the process to minimize cost, ensure the technical means for safe operation, high product quality, and guarantee the desired technical plant availability.

Key responsibilities: Area Manager

1. Assure the defined technical availability of the production unit according to the production requirements, with continuous technical improvements, and in conformance to changing requirements in respect to economics, safety, and care for the environment.
2. Plan, manage, and organize the engineering and technical support to the area. This support includes maintenance activities, technical changes, project management, and technical documentation.
3. Provide seasoned process, maintenance, and project expertise, which combines mastery of process engineering with in-depth knowledge of the plant requirements. Use mature engineering judgment, creativity, and foresight to initiate studies, projects, and new developments and to anticipate and solve unprecedented problems with a focus on long-term technical solutions.
4. Provide plant-specific technical expertise on the application of new process developments, equipment innovations, and state-of-the-art maintenance and project techniques, ensuring regulatory compliance of the technical installations, maintenance practices, and technical documentation.
5. Management and development of shift coordinators and process operators. Provide leadership, guidance, and support for their development.
6. Develop the area budget and together with the plant manager, the capital investment budget for the area. Expected to be business-oriented in his/her work and show a high level of cost awareness and cost responsibility.

ABOUT YOU

You will combine technical expertise, strong planning and management skills, and a talent for motivating and developing colleagues. We are also looking for:

• A BS degree in Chemical or Mechanical engineering with at least 10 years of engineering and plant experience is required.
• A track record as a coach, mentor, and developer of talent.
• Ability to independently manage the operational aspects of ongoing projects and serve as liaison between project management and project team.
• An ability to drive to big picture goals and milestones while valuing and maintaining a strong attention to detail.
• An ability to quickly identify and drive to the optimal solution when presented with a series of constraints.
• Demonstrated ability in people management, strategic planning, risk management, change management, project management.
• Excellent judgment, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Self-motivated individual that possesses excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, relationship building skills, and ability to achieve results without direct reporting relationships.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to present a polished, professional, and diplomatic image to all stakeholders.
• Strong sense of personal responsibility and accountability for delivering high-quality work.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Rewards & benefits
Competitive salary with performance-linked enhancements / 401 K matching and non-contingent matching plans / Healthcare / Medical insurance.

Our organizational structure provides autonomy and accountability in your role. You have scope to develop a depth of expertise and the opportunity to follow career pathways outside the norm.

Working with us in Decatur

Our Primient plant is the largest and most complex facility across our network, and has been part of the Decatur community for over 100 years. It has been a hub of innovation and technology and will continue to be a flagship facility for Primient. Today, more than 400 people work at our plant and administration building. We are proud of our strong union relations, our excellent safety record, and our local community outreach and service. Our promising future makes it an exciting place to be.

Relocating to Decatur (or our region)

Located c. 180 miles south of Chicago, Decatur is home to around 70,000 people. Decatur scores well for livability, cost of living, and schools – this is a place to enjoy the Midwest lifestyle. Our central location means it’s easy to get to Springfield, Bloomington, and Champaign. Chicago, St Louis, and Indianapolis are within a 2.5-3-hour drive.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

We are passionate believers in the power of difference. We strive to represent the communities in which we operate and to provide an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. We want Primient to be a place where every employee feels they belong and knows they are seen, heard, valued, and safe to speak up. Our aspiration is to unlock the full potential in diverse perspectives, while offering everyone an equal chance to grow, thrive and progress.

Primient is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.

The Company is committed to complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) and all data privacy and laws in the jurisdictions in which it recruits and hires employees.

About Us

Primient is a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable sources. We deliver value through deep technical, commercial, and operational expertise that is backed by our long-standing corn wet milling heritage. Our employees, some of whom are second and third generation legacy, understand the importance of maintaining the highest levels of safety, excellence, and integrity in all that we do.

We continue to grow with a century-long history of ingenuity that started with agricultural visionary Augustus “Gene” Staley. Staley’s “can do” attitude and entrepreneurial spirit continue to lead and inspire Primient in new ways that ensure we honor our traditions to confidently trail blaze ahead.