Director Technical Services

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

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.

Ardent Mills is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. This role follows a hybrid work arrangement and will be based in the assigned work location. 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.