Utilities Lead

Location: Winston Salem, NC Workplace type: Onsite Utilities are foundational to safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing operations. As our Utilities Lead, you will play a critical role in ensuring uninterrupted utility services, regulatory compliance, energy optimization, and continuous improvement across plant operations. As a Utilities Lead, you will lead the safe, reliable, compliant, and cost-effective operation of plant utility systems, including boiler house, water treatment, wastewater, compressed air, electrical distribution, fuel handling, and ash handling operations. Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will work closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, EHS, contractors, vendors, and regulatory agencies to support plant performance and operational excellence. What you will do: - Lead the daily operation and performance monitoring of utility systems, reviewing operating data, utility logs, meter readings, and trends to identify improvement opportunities and resolve system issues. - Ensure reliable supply and efficient consumption of steam, water, natural gas, electricity, compressed air, fuel, and wastewater treatment resources while supporting plant production requirements. - Coordinate with operations, maintenance teams, contractors, and service providers to address utility-related concerns, improve reliability, and execute corrective actions. - Manage utility budgets, contractor services, utility-related materials and chemical inventories, and support cost-control initiatives through effective planning and resource management. - Lead compliance activities, including permit support, environmental reporting, emissions monitoring, inspections, and interactions with regulatory agencies, utility providers, and third-party auditors. - Support annual outages, shutdowns, and capital or maintenance projects by coordinating contractors, identifying required work, tracking progress, and ensuring successful execution. - Develop and coach Utilities personnel while driving continuous improvement initiatives focused on energy efficiency, asset reliability, safe work practices, operational discipline, and team capability. What you will bring: - Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent industrial utility or manufacturing experience may be considered. - Experience leading or supporting utility systems within a manufacturing or industrial environment. - Working knowledge of boilers, steam systems, compressed air, water treatment, wastewater treatment, fuel handling, electrical distribution systems, pressure vessels, and environmental compliance requirements. - Experience managing budgets, maintenance planning activities, contractors, service agreements, and work order processes. - Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and documentation skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office and maintenance or reporting systems. Who you are: - A safety-focused leader committed to regulatory compliance, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence. - A collaborative partner who communicates effectively across Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, EHS, and external stakeholders. - A data-driven problem solver who analyzes trends, identifies root causes, and implements sustainable solutions. - An organized planner capable of managing multiple priorities, projects, contractors, and compliance requirements simultaneously. - A continuous improvement advocate with a passion for energy efficiency, reliability enhancement, and team development. 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.