Production Lead - 2nd shift

Production Lead

As a Production Lead you will be responsible for ensuring the timely and efficient production of food‑safe flour from mill to customer, understanding our Final Product Zone and customer shipment requirements, and managing the logistics of equipment.

You will lead safety and operational excellence, drive change, organize and prioritize multiple tasks, and support plant performance through reliable, compliant, and environmentally responsible practices.

• Act as the Safety Champion and drive engagement in plant, personnel safety, food safety, and quality policies.
• Communicate between staff and management, attending daily R&R meetings and conveying safety information to the team.
• Provide operators with guidance on troubleshooting equipment to optimize operations.
• Aide in planning and executing maintenance items for both planned and unplanned downtime.
• Assist with capital & focused improvement (FI) projects, 5S, training, and center lining.
• Coordinate and order supplies through Jaggaer/Manager Simplicity.
• Understand, report, trend, and attend plant metrics meetings.
• Maintain equipment and provide repairs for mechanical conveying, spouting, gravity, pneumatic conveying, electrical systems, and other plant systems.
• Participate in team member training, qualification verification, and hiring onboarding.
• Support the production schedule, customer needs, and logistics of inbound and outbound vessels to maximize efficiencies.
• Perform scheduled sanitation duties and operate process equipment, generating production and maintenance reports.
• Use PRISM to open and close production orders and communicate with scheduler, elevator, miller, quality, maintenance, and bulk teams.
• Assist with facility duties beyond the bulk department as needed.
• Assume Production Manager duties during absences, including weekends, holidays, and on‑call periods.
• Aid in producing personnel schedules and lead FI assignments & capital projects assigned by management.
• Oversee contractor work and provide tours to internal or external visitors.
• Provide innovative solutions for troubleshooting and process optimization.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 4+ years of plant operations experience.
• Strong leadership behaviors and problem‑solving/decision‑making skills.
• Proficiency in computer tools, email, and spreadsheets.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.
• High organizational skills with the ability to multi‑task.

• Lift up to 50 pounds.
• Work in a dusty environment and wear respiratory protection.
• Work in hot and cold conditions for extended periods.
• Climb stairs and ladders throughout the day.
• Stand for the entire workday.

• Will accept accountability and work well in a team.
• Ability to read electrical diagrams, flow diagrams, and milling air/hydraulic systems.
• Willing to take short‑term assignments to other Ardent Mills facilities with support.
• Willing to work rotating 12‑hour shifts, weekends, holidays, 7‑day weeks, and opposing shifts.
• Clean shaven to perform respirator tasks requiring a proper seal.
• Will be cross‑trained in all mill operations positions for development within the facility.

Richardton, ND – 3775 Hwy 8, Richardton, ND 58652

• Full time

• Competitive base pay: $25.20 – $33.50 per hour, $0.50 – $0.70 additional earning potential.
• Targeted bonus of 5% annual under the OIP bonus plan.
• 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.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Paid Time Off and paid holidays.
• Employee recognition program with rewards.

At Ardent Mills, equal opportunity is a core value. We are an equal‑opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic. All employment decisions are based on merit, competence, and business needs.