MennelNext - Operations/Engineering 2027

About the role

In this role, you will help sustain Mennel’s tradition of excellence established in 1886 as well as support our food safety programs and mission to reliably deliver superior quality, uniformity, and service. The MennelNext‑ Next Generation Leaders program develops early‑career engineering, operations, grain, and food science talent into high‑performing professionals capable of leading continuous improvement, troubleshooting critical equipment, managing frontline teams, and supporting long‑term business efficiency. The assigned track follows a defined rotational framework that outlines the sequence and scope of learning modules to provide broad organizational exposure, technical skill development, and readiness for future roles of increased responsibility in the area of focus.

Responsibilities

• Follow all food and personal safety rules and regulations in respect to GMP’s, OSHA, HACCP, the Global Food Safety Initiative, the US FDA Food Safety Modernization Act as stated in the FS&Q Statement, and sanitation guidelines as set forth by the company as listed in Corporate Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) and attend all required training sessions.
• Maintain the department/facility in an everyday audit ready condition.
• Follow all track rotation module requirements as outlined in your Associate Packet.
• Complete one to two minor projects during the rotation and one major capstone project prior to graduating the program.
• Attend regular scheduled check‑in meetings and be prepared to present activities, completed work, project status, etc.
• Work at different facilities, travel between locations, and adjust schedules based on operational and learning needs.
• Complete assigned rotations, learning objectives, projects, and transition activities.
• Follow all company policies, facility rules, and performance standards throughout the program.
• Speak up when something does not appear safe or consistent with Mennel’s standards.
• Exhibit conduct that reflects Mennel’s values, support its long‑standing reputation, and build trust across locations and departments.
• Approach every rotation as both a learner and a representative of The Mennel Milling Company.
• The position has no supervisory responsibilities.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

• Education: Completion of a four‑year degree (or equivalent) in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Automation/Controls, Industrial Operations); Milling Science; Grain Science; Agriculture; Food Science or equivalent.
• Academic performance: Minimum GPA of 2.8.
• Skills: Strong communication, leadership, teamwork, and safety awareness.
• Internal employees who consistently demonstrate strong performance, learning agility, leadership capability, and the capacity to assume roles of increased responsibility within the organization.
• Transportation: Reliable personal transportation; relocation/housing may be provided.
• Background check: Required for all positions.
• Language skills: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, memos, procedures and plans; ability to write, complete checklists and other basic documentation and correspondence; ability to effectively present information or data in one‑on‑one and small group situations to co‑workers, supervisors, and managers.
• Mathematical skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Reasoning ability: Must use solid judgment when making decisions; must have ability to quickly recognize and plan for changing work duties and events.
• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to perform maintenance tasks, reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, twist, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds or more. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to conditions typical to a fast‑paced manufacturing environment, including moving equipment and machinery, dusty, hot/humid, and cold conditions; employee must be willing to work in all weather conditions, at heights, and in the presence of airborne particles. The noise level usually requires the use of hearing protection. Work involves exposure to common wheat allergens.

Schedule

Primary work shift