Director, Technical Services

The Director, Technical Services provides enterprise-wide leadership and strategic direction for Ardent Mills' customer-facing technical services function. This role is responsible for developing and executing the technical services strategy, leveraging customer insights, market intelligence, and technical expertise to drive growth, innovation, and customer satisfaction across all business segments. As a key member of the R&D Leadership Team, the Director partners with Commercial, Operations, Quality, Risk Management, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Emerging Nutrition leaders to translate customer challenges and industry trends into differentiated solutions that strengthen Ardent Mills' market position. This role leads a high-performing team of technical experts and is accountable for building organizational capability, developing talent, influencing enterprise priorities, and fostering strong customer relationships. The Director combines strategic leadership, technical expertise, customer engagement, and business acumen to ensure Ardent Mills remains a trusted partner and industry leader in grain, milling, and ingredient solutions. Responsibilities Develop and execute the enterprise-wide Technical Services strategy aligned with business growth, innovation priorities, and customer needs. Serve as a strategic partner to leaders across Commercial, R&D, Operations, Quality, Risk Management, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Emerging Nutrition. Establish technical service priorities, capability roadmaps, and organizational plans that support growth and customer retention. Monitor industry, regulatory, technology, and customer trends and translate insights into business and innovation opportunities. Lead strategic planning, budget management, resource allocation, and performance management for the Technical Services function. Oversee resolution of complex customer challenges through technical analysis, risk assessment, and cross-functional collaboration. Provide executive-level technical leadership for strategic customer relationships. Partner with Sales and Marketing to support customer acquisition, retention, and growth. Represent Ardent Mills during customer engagements, industry events, technical forums, and strategic partnerships. Drive the effective use of customer insights to influence innovation, product development, and commercialization efforts. Collaborate with R&D, Grain Quality Research, and Milling leaders to develop and commercialize innovative solutions. Partner with Operations and Quality teams to ensure technical recommendations are practical, scalable, and aligned with manufacturing capabilities. Lead cross-functional teams to solve complex technical, operational, and commercial challenges. Champion emerging technologies, digital tools, and data-driven approaches that improve service and customer outcomes. Support intellectual property development, technical knowledge management, and competitive differentiation initiatives. Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Build organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, and leadership development. Establish clear goals, expectations, and development plans for team members. Promote a customer‑centric mindset and enhance team effectiveness in technical problem‑solving and customer engagement. Drive employee engagement, inclusion, and safety while modeling Ardent Mills values and leadership behaviors. Build strategic relationships with customers, industry associations, suppliers, universities, and technical partners. Influence industry standards and best practices through active participation in professional organizations. Ensure effective governance of technical data, customer communications, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance. Develop metrics that measure technical service effectiveness, customer impact, team performance, and business value. Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance service delivery, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Education Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Grain Science, Milling Science, Cereal Chemistry, or a related technical field required. Master's degree, MBA, or other advanced degree preferred. Experience Experience 15+ years of progressive experience in food, ingredients, grain processing, milling, agricultural, or related manufacturing industries. 10+ years of leadership experience managing Technical Services, R&D, Applications, or Quality organizations. Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide technical initiatives and influencing senior stakeholders. Proven experience partnering directly with customers to solve technical challenges, drive innovation, and generate business growth. Experience leading cross-functional teams across Commercial, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Risk Management, Marketing, and R&D. Strong track record of developing technical talent, building organizational capability, and leading through change. Experience with grain science, ingredient functionality, flour milling, product development, food manufacturing, and commercialization preferred. Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, communication, and problem‑solving skills. Proven ability to build high‑performing teams and deliver measurable business results. Location & Travel Position may be based in Denver, CO or Minneapolis, MN. Hybrid work arrangement with a minimum of two days per week in the office. Up to 50% travel, including occasional international travel. Ability to work with and consume wheat-based products; no wheat/gluten sensitivity, intolerance, or allergy. The successful candidate will be expected to work in person from their assigned office location two days per week (Tuesday and Wednesday), except when traveling for business. Location: Plymouth MN Address: 1875 Lawrence Street, Denver CO, 80202 Additional Locations (if applicable): Additional Information Competitive Compensation: We provide market-driven base pay, based on skills, abilities, and level of experiences. Our salary ranges are broad, and individual salary will be market competitive based on a candidate’s unique set of skills and level of experience. The starting range for this position is $165,000.00 - $185,000.00, with additional earning potential possible commensurate with experience. Additionally, we believe that our team members are the reason for our success and all team members are incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and individual results achieved. While the specific bonus plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions, the targeted bonus plan and targeted percentage amount for this role is Bonus - MIP, 20% Annual. Benefits 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 Team Member and Family Assistance Program (EAP) Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays Employee Recognition Program with Rewards (RAVE) Application Deadline 10/04/2026 10/04/2026 EEO Commitment At Ardent Mills, everyone matters and everyone has a voice. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and team members and the decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic protected by law or not. Together, celebrating our differences, we make Ardent Mills. Ardent Mills, todos importan y todos tienen voz. Estamos comprometidos a brindar un ambiente de respeto mutuo donde haya igualdad de oportunidades disponibles para todos los solicitantes y miembros del equipo y las decisiones se basarán en el mérito, la competencia, el desempeño y las necesidades comerciales. Estamos orgullosos de ser un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. No discriminamos por motivos de raza, color, religión, credo, origen nacional, ascendencia, estado civil, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad o expresión de género, discapacidad física o mental, embarazo, información genética, condición de veterano, edad, política, afiliación, o cualquier otra característica no meritoria protegida por la ley o no. Juntos, celebrando nuestras diferencias, formamos Ardent Mills. La descripción del puesto anterior ha sido diseñada para indicar la naturaleza general y los deberes y responsabilidades esenciales del trabajo realizado por los empleados dentro de este puesto. Es posible que no contenga un inventario completo de todos los deberes, responsabilidades y calificaciones requeridas de los empleados en este puesto. La descripción, los deberes, las funciones y las responsabilidades están sujetos a cambios a discreción de Ardent Mills. Whether we’re making innovative breakthroughs or nutritious food. Whether we’re making our processes more sustainable or our communities more prosperous. Whether we’re making our customers happy or making progress in our own careers. At Ardent Mills, we all get to make something special every day. Join us and you can too. Learn more about doing work you can be truly proud of with North America’s leading flour supplier. Joining Ardent Mills means making a commitment to yourself and to the other members of our team. We call this Our Promise. All of us share responsibility for the success of Ardent Mills. We work closely together in teams and across functions. Nobody is left isolated or unsupported. Everyone matters. Everyone has a voice. This gives each of us the opportunity to create something special every day. And, when we come together, that’s when truly amazing things happen. Together, we make our customers' success the focus of our business. Together, we make the innovative breakthroughs that shape our industry. Together, we make communities healthier and more prosperous. Together, we are raising the bar for a more sustainable world. Together, we make the food that nourishes North America. Together, we can make our ambitions a reality. #J-18808-Ljbffr Ardent Mills