Operations Lead

Location: Richland, WA Workplace type: Onsite Ingredion is seeking a results-driven Operations Lead to lead manufacturing operations at our Richland facility. This role offers the opportunity to drive operational excellence, strengthen safety and quality performance, develop high-performing teams, and deliver continuous improvement initiatives that support business growth and customer success. As an Operations Lead, you will provide leadership for all aspects of plant operations, including Wet Process, Drying, Packaging, Utilities, Maintenance, and Production Planning. You will be responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective manufacturing operations while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence. This role reports to the Plant Manager and leads a team of approximately 20 operations employees as well as a maintenance team consisting of 1 Maintenance Lead and 3 Maintenance Technicians. What you will do: • Lead daily manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable production performance across all operational areas. • Drive best-in-class safety and environmental management systems to maintain an injury-free and environmentally compliant workplace. • Manage plant operations to achieve production goals, budgets, quality standards, and GMP requirements while optimizing costs. • Partner with Quality, EHSS, Engineering, and Warehouse teams to ensure operational excellence and exceptional customer service. • Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, and other CI methodologies to improve productivity, reduce waste, and deliver targeted savings. • Manage plant cost performance and develop systems that support data-driven decision making and sustainable operational improvements. • Support capital planning activities by partnering with site leadership to identify and prioritize investments that improve reliability, growth capacity, safety, and cost efficiency. • Develop, coach, and lead high-performing teams through talent development, succession planning, employee engagement, and performance management. • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, local, and company regulations, policies, and standards. • Provide accurate reporting on plant performance and proactively communicate production risks and opportunities to site leadership. What you will bring: • 3+ years of leadership experience within a manufacturing environment; food, chemical, biochemical, pharmaceutical, or related process industries preferred. • Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical Engineering preferred) or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will also be considered. • Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, operations systems, maintenance practices, GMP requirements, and process improvement methodologies. • Experience managing operational budgets, cost controls, and productivity improvement initiatives. • Demonstrated success leading teams and driving operational performance in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. • Strong communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and effectively communicate technical and operational information. Who you are: • A safety and quality-driven leader who creates a culture of accountability and operational discipline. • A collaborative team builder who develops talent, engages employees, and promotes teamwork across functions. • A continuous improvement champion with hands-on experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, and problem-solving methodologies. • A business-minded operator who understands financial performance, budgets, cost management, and operational decision making. • A proactive and decisive problem solver who can identify opportunities, implement solutions, and deliver measurable results. • An influential leader capable of driving process improvements and helping teams adopt more effective ways of working. • Well-organized with strong planning, prioritization, and time management skills. • undefined Relocation Available: Yes, Within Country Pay Range: $84,400.00-$112,533.33 Annual This pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final base salary will be determined based on several factors which may include but are not limited to responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data and applicable bargaining agreement (if any). Incentive Compensation: As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Ingredion Annual Incentive Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus. Benefits: Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage as well as a 401(k) plan with an competitive company match.