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As a key member of the R&D Leadership Team, the Director partners with Commercial, Operations, Quality, Risk Management, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Emerging Nutrition leaders to translate customer challenges and industry trends into differentiated solutions that strengthen Ardent Mills' market position. This role leads a high-performing team of technical experts and is accountable for building organizational capability, developing talent, influencing enterprise priorities, and fostering strong customer relationships. The Director combines strategic leadership, technical expertise, customer engagement, and business acumen to ensure Ardent Mills remains a trusted partner and industry leader in grain, milling, and ingredient solutions.
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Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the enterprise-wide Technical Services strategy aligned with business growth, innovation priorities, and customer needs.
- Serve as a strategic partner to leaders across Commercial, R&D, Operations, Quality, Risk Management, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Emerging Nutrition.
- Establish technical service priorities, capability roadmaps, and organizational plans that support growth and customer retention.
- Monitor industry, regulatory, technology, and customer trends and translate insights into business and innovation opportunities.
- Lead strategic planning, budget management, resource allocation, and performance management for the Technical Services function.
- Oversee resolution of complex customer challenges through technical analysis, risk assessment, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Provide executive-level technical leadership for strategic customer relationships.
- Partner with Sales and Marketing to support customer acquisition, retention, and growth.
- Represent Ardent Mills during customer engagements, industry events, technical forums, and strategic partnerships.
- Drive the effective use of customer insights to influence innovation, product development, and commercialization efforts.
- Collaborate with R&D, Grain Quality Research, and Milling leaders to develop and commercialize innovative solutions.
- Partner with Operations and Quality teams to ensure technical recommendations are practical, scalable, and aligned with manufacturing capabilities.
- Lead cross-functional teams to solve complex technical, operational, and commercial challenges.
- Champion emerging technologies, digital tools, and data-driven approaches that improve service and customer outcomes.
- Support intellectual property development, technical knowledge management, and competitive differentiation initiatives.
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Build organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, and leadership development.
- Establish clear goals, expectations, and development plans for team members.
- Promote a customer-centric mindset and enhance team effectiveness in technical problem-solving and customer engagement.
- Drive employee engagement, inclusion, and safety while modeling Ardent Mills values and leadership behaviors.
- Build strategic relationships with customers, industry associations, suppliers, universities, and technical partners.
- Influence industry standards and best practices through active participation in professional organizations.
- Ensure effective governance of technical data, customer communications, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance.
- Develop metrics that measure technical service effectiveness, customer impact, team performance, and business value.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance service delivery, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
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Education
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Grain Science, Milling Science, Cereal Chemistry, or a related technical field required.
- Master's degree, MBA, or other advanced degree preferred.
Experience
- 15+ years of progressive experience in food, ingredients, grain processing, milling, agricultural, or related manufacturing industries.
- 10+ years of leadership experience managing Technical Services, R&D, Applications, or Quality organizations.
- Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide technical initiatives and influencing senior stakeholders.
- Proven experience partnering directly with customers to solve technical challenges, drive innovation, and generate business growth.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams across Commercial, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Risk Management, Marketing, and R&D.
- Strong track record of developing technical talent, building organizational capability, and leading through change.
- Experience with grain science, ingredient functionality, flour milling, product development, food manufacturing, and commercialization preferred.
- Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Proven ability to build high-performing teams and deliver measurable business results.
Location & Travel
- Position may be based in Denver, CO or Minneapolis, MN.
- Hybrid work arrangement with a minimum of two days per week in the office.
- Up to 50% travel, including occasional international travel.
- Ability to work with and consume wheat-based products; no wheat/gluten sensitivity, intolerance, or allergy.
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.
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Location:
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Plymouth MNAddress:
1875 Lawrence Street, Denver CO, 80202Additional Locations (if applicable):
Employment Type:
Full timeAdditional 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 $165,000.00 - $185,000.00, 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, 20% 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:
10/04/202610/04/2026EEO 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 fÃsica o mental, embarazo, información genética, condición de veterano, edad, polÃtica. afiliación, o cualquier otra caracterÃstica 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.ÂRecruitment 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:Â
Slightly altered or unprofessional email addresses. Ardent Mills’ Recruitment team only corresponds from email addresses with the domain first.last.talent@ardentmills.com or first.last@ardentmills.com.Â
Vague job requirements or job descriptions.Our open job opportunities and descriptions can be found at ardentmillscareers.comÂ
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