The typical career path for an ADM miller begins in the position of milling assistant. This position provides an opportunity for new millers to join the plant management team, starting in multi-unit facilities, with the possibility of moving from there to plants that produce a wide range of flours for the baking industry.
Recent graduates are assigned to a production unit where they gain first-hand exposure to leadership of employees, equipment trouble-shooting and dealing with day-to-day operational challenges. The experience begins with on-the-job training through observation, and typically progresses to full responsibility for a group working rotating shifts during the first year. This experience is invaluable in providing firsthand knowledge of the plants, processes, products and people in the real world of manufacturing at ADM.
Within a matter of months, milling assistants are assigned to supervise a work group of hourly employees who operate a production unit on shift. Responsibilities include assuring the jobs on the shift are covered, employees are adequately trained to perform their assigned work, all work is performed in a safe manner and customer needs are met through production of a high volume of quality products.
Milling assistants apply their milling expertise to monitor production processes and equipment, solve production problems and provide input to process improvements.
Future Assignments
Experience as a milling assistant provides an outstanding foundation on which to build a career. After a year or so as an assistant, employees advance to opportunities in operations management. These assignments involve increasing responsibility and the rewards that go along with it. Opportunities may involve transferring to various locations, including possible international opportunities.
Successful candidates will have a Bachelor of Science degree in a field related to milling operations.
Internship
Milling interns can expect to work in the elevator, maintenance, laboratory, packing or bulk loading groups. After this initial exposure, interns concentrate on the Mill department’s operations, learning the flow and how to run the mill efficiently. Hands-on exposure in other areas includes running sifter tail outs, catching samples for a stream analysis, catching weigh-offs, doing a granulation study, solving a problem-specific project or handling engineering projects such as air calculations or drive designs.
Interns will get the opportunity to “mirror” the mill superintendent, production manager and the plant manager for a day to gain a broader view of the plant activities.
Requirements
To be considered, candidates must have completed at least 60 semester hours in an undergraduate program with a minimum overall GPA of 2.75. Candidates should possess strong communication skills and leadership abilities. At a minimum, they should know how to operate the test equipment for ash, moisture and protein and be able to learn any other equipment as time permits. Qualified candidates will be flexible and possess the ability to work as a team member under a variety of circumstances.
