Job Information
Miller Milling Technical Services Innovation Center Manager in Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Summary:
The Innovation and Technical Center (ITC) Manager is responsible for managing the operation of the Innovation and Technical Center.
Compensation: $105,000 - $125,000 annually
Primary Responsibilities:
Operations and Team Management:
Oversee the operation of the ITC including the direct supervision of all ITC employees and ITC budget.
Allocate ITC resources based on routine work, innovation projects, and seasonal new crop samples including summer/temporary employees.
Train and supervise team of technicians on new testing methods and procedures.
Ensure adherence to testing protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and safety guidelines.
Establish sanitation and 5S activities to maintain a clean and orderly facility.
Ensure the facility is maintained in accordance with company requirements for personal safety, food safety and EHS. Guide ITC to be an industry leader in environmental and sustainability.
Perform laboratory analysis as needed, including flour, wheat and bake tests.
Testing and Analysis:
Establish sample workflow, analysis protocols, documentation, and reporting methods.
Serves as key point of contact for all samples submitted to the ITC. Accountable for ensuring that samples are routed to the appropriate areas for analysis in timely manner.
Ensure laboratory standards are prepared according to established protocols and used as prescribed in the laboratory protocols to validate instrument operation.
Ensure instrument calibration and maintenance is conducted as prescribed, verify results, and maintain records of each instrument for which calibration procedures have been established.
Oversee a wide range of tests, including chemical, physical, and sensory evaluations of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods.
Review and interpret test data, ensuring accuracy and reliability, and make informed decisions based on results.
Manage company wide cross-check program to ensure technician precision.
Participate in 3rd party wheat breeding quality programs and participate in Cereals and Grains International committees/activities as appropriate.
Keep up-to-date on industry best practices and new analytical instrumentation, methods and testing technologies. Design trials to evaluate new equipment and technologies and make recommendations to business teams.
Obtain ISO 17025 certification for flour and grain analyses.
Documentation and Reporting:
Maintain accurate records of testing processes, results, and observations in accordance with company policies.
Establish timely reporting protocols and formats to ensure data is available to business teams for decision making.
Generate and present regular reports on ITC activities, schedule, data trends, and performance metrics to management.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Collaborate closely with production, quality, technical, sales, and supply chain teams to address quality related issues.
Interface with Technical Sales and other team members to provide timely data and follow up to customer complaints and inquiries.
Active participant in wheat mix management as needed.
Develop and implement wheat/flour/dough training programs for internal and external customers.
Work with Saginaw plant management to coordinate maintenance/service work of the ITC.
Assists with other activities as required
Qualifications:
Bachelors of Science degree in related field; degree related to Food Science, Baking Science or Grain Science preferred.
3+ years of progressively responsible laboratory management experience in wheat milling or baking. Baking experience and NIR management preferred.
Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
Exceptional organizational skills and high attention to detail. Data analysis/consolidation
Excellent customer service skills.
Requires a behavioral work style that is approachable, collaborative, hands-on and shows attention to detail.
Working knowledge of major commercial software programs.
Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication skills.
Initial onboarding (4-6 months) travel up to 50%. Ongoing travel 10-15% as needed.