Textured Proteins Operations Manager

MGP Ingredients is a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and food ingredient solutions. Its Distilling Solutions segment provides bourbons whiskeys ryes gins and vodkas to craft and multinational brands. MGPs own Branded Spirts business is growing following the 2021 acquisition of Luxco a top spirits producer bottler supplier and importer as well as the 2023 acquisition of Penelope Bourbon known for its wide range of uniquely blended expressions. Ingredient Solutions delivers nutritional functional wheat- and pea-based ingredients aligned with consumer trends. The company operates in locations across the Midwestern U.S. and overseas in Northern Ireland and Mexico.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This role provides operational quality and technical oversight of operations to ensure reliable production food safety compliance and consistent textured protein performance. The position ensures equipment uptime and capacity align with established production schedules evaluates facilities and processes to minimize downtime and drives corrective actions to address off-spec product. The role partners closely with R&D and other MGP stakeholders to prioritize operational activities improve production performance and support training and development needs. It also manages quality management processes monitors key quality control data and executes capital and operational projects in accordance with company standards.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

Operations

• Ensure plant processes machinery and equipment uptime and capacity align with established production schedules.
• Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure effective management and that performance meets or exceeds planned targets.
• Manage inventory levels and supply flow to support uninterrupted production and cost efficiency.
• Utilize and maintain ERP systems to support planning tracking reporting and operational decision-making.

Leadership

• Identify training coaching and development needs to sustain and improve production performance.
• Maintain appropriate staffing levels and manage union contract execution in compliance with labor agreements.
• Source develop and deploy training materials to improve operational efficiency reduce unit costs and enhance finished product quality.
• Provide guidance coaching and performance feedback to drive operational effectiveness and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate communication and operational support across MGP management teams supporting the textured protein business.
• Support R&D activities including process trials scale-up and continuous product and process improvement.

Quality Reporting and Analysis

• Ensure operations comply with all food safety quality regulatory and company standards.
• Develop update and maintain quality management processes and procedures to ensure consistent textured protein performance.
• Collect monitor analyze and report quality control data (e.g. bulk density hydration rates chop quality sieve analysis moisture) to verify processing conditions and adherence to product specifications.
• Analyze production and quality trends including off-spec product to identify root causes and recommend corrective and preventive actions.
• Communicate performance results deviations and corrective actions to MGP stakeholders in a clear accurate and timely manner.

Project Management

Execute capital and operational projects in accordance with company standards and asset management policies including project design cost estimation capital request preparation contractor coordination change management startup and commissioning.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Bachelors degree in engineering; or an undergraduate degree with food manufacturing management experience.
• Preferred background in business management.
• Knowledge and hands-on experience in the operation optimization and troubleshooting of manufacturing equipment and processes including bulk powder handling dry and wet milling dry mixing pneumatic conveying systems extrusion processing belt conveying rotary belt and fluid-bed dryers steam boilers air compressors metal detection and packaging equipment and systems.
• Experience with British Retail Consortium (BRC) auditing principles or other food safetybased Quality Management Systems (e.g. GFSI SQF HACCP).
• Up to 5 years of process experience in the food manufacturing & food-packaged goods food extrusion processing is preferred.
• 3-5 of those years in progressive advancement in management leadership positions.
• Proven leadership skills including giving and receiving feedback conflict management situational leadership rootcause problem solving team building coaching for improved performance effective decision-making and constructive compromise.
• Demonstrated ability to train and coach othersparticularly in technical applicationsis
  required.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office and Excel; preferred experience with SAP AutoCAD Process Safety Management (PSM) contractor management project cost estimation and project management. Experience with automation instrumentation and control systems is a plus.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting industrial equipment and systems including electrical systems piping valves pumps control instrumentation and computer-based control systems.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers handle or feel objects tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. Includes frequently used office equipment computer software programs manuals books or other written resources hand tools power tools two-way radios and other tools/equipment/resources; Includes use of sanitation equipment and lab/field equipment. Sampling devices some basic lab tests (hydration rate hydration color chop quality %moisture pH Microanalysis etc.) Various lab equipment two-way radios will be required to use. If you require a reasonable accommodation in the employee selection process please direct your inquiries to Caitlin Zbikowski Talent Manager @

If the above speaks to you were excited to learn more about you! At MGP we know that our people are our greatest strength. With different perspectives and unique ways of thinking our employees are as varied as our products. We believe that inclusivity strengthens the organization and champions a company culture that is evolving to reflect all of us. Culture results from our behaviors our personal commitment our curiosity how we collaborate and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and expect others to do the same. Each of us can make a difference by fostering thinking and actions that empower us to connect belong and grow together.Compensation is competitive and is commensurate with experience. MGP offers exceptional medical dental vision short and long-term disability life insurance 401(k) Match and PTO.All successful candidates for this position will be required to submit to a criminal background check and drug test.

Required Experience:

Manager