Food & Beverage STEM OPT Jobs in Missouri

About Ingredion:

Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you’ve experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet’s food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you’re just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create.

TITLE: IPS Engineer (Continuous Improvement Engineer)

LOCATION: North Kansas City

REPORTS TO: Manager IPS

Workplace Type: Onsite

Ingredion is hiring an IPS Engineer (Continuous Improvement Engineer) who will be part of a great team of Operations Excellence/Continuous Improvement and responsible for leading the continuous improvement process, providing technical support including process studies, problem-solving, and process optimization. Lead the implementation, sustainability, and improvements of the Ingredion Performance System (IPS).

What you will do:

• Support implementing the CI/IPS management system and other CI/IPS related activities, while ensuring the sustainability of Management System tools, like routine dashboards, OEE measurement, and other routine indicators.
• Deliver Management System training that includes concepts, tools, and deliverables to achieve awareness and facilitate CI/IPS adoption and cultural change.
• Help establish a baseline of main KPIs and support the leadership team during target setting according to regional, financial, and functional goals.
• Maintain an improvement plan/project portfolio (Safety, Quality, Service, Cost Reduction, etc.) through gap analysis to recommend process improvements to drive target achievement and organizational effectiveness.
• Support diverse cost reduction, productivity enhancement, and Safety/Quality improvement targets for the plant (PDCA, LSS, Kaizen, etc.).
• Act as a liaison between the manufacturing plant and production technology (IT) team.
• Support the plant team to achieve their Sustainability goals using CI tools.
• Participate in regional and local Manufacturing Excellence and CI team regional meetings to identify new practices for the plant's success.
• Evaluate new technologies and ideas and seek approval for new concepts to improve the efficiency and capability of the process, the safety of the facility, and improve product quality.
• Help drive implementation of digital solutions and reporting.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, Ideation workshops, RCA studies, and other CI activities that support plant performance enhancement.
• Leverage analytical and problem-solving skills to support plant management in the identification of key success drivers and execution of improvement objectives.
• Lead/act as a change agent to achieve continuous improvement and a focused culture, through collaboration with all business and functional units in the region to ensure alignment of improvement initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with the Plant leaders to multiply knowledge in CI methodologies and act as a changing agent for the culture.
• Support employee training in the proper application of Continuous Improvement and IPS concepts.
• Coach and mentor plant teams/ individuals to ensure the successful completion of IPS implementation and CI activities.

Your profile needs these qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, industrial, chemical, or manufacturing engineering.
• Knowledge of digital systems including OEE, integrated action tracking, and KPI reporting.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft tools such as PowerApps, PowerBI, and Power Automate preferred.
• Experience in Process/Industrial Engineering.
• Experience working in and supporting lean management systems.
• Experience implementing OEE, electronic paperwork, or other digital process improvement solutions.

You’ll need these skills to be successful.

• Demonstrated self-starter with strong leadership skills and a high degree of integrity.
• Utilization of data and facts to articulate the need for change and build commitment from others.
• Organization, prioritization, and decision-making.
• Communicate effectively.
• Ethics and corporate values.
• Result-driven with urgency.
• Deliver our strategy.
• Proactive, innovative, and a strong will to succeed.
• High discipline in routine execution.

Why Join Ingredion?

Discover why Ingredion is the ideal place to advance your career with our exceptional rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive. Create the future with us and enjoy:

• Total Rewards Package – Competitive salary and performance-based pay recognizing your contributions to our success.
• Comprehensive Benefits & Wellness Support – Health, long-term savings, and resources for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
• Flexible Work Arrangements – We value flexibility to support you both professionally and personally.
• Career Growth – Learning, training, and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement.
• Employee Recognition Program – A culture of real-time appreciation, with personalized recognition rewards globally.
• Employee Discount Program – Provides exclusive discounts on everyday products, services, and travel.

Relocation Available:

No

Pay Range:

$84,400.00-$112,533.33 Annual

This pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final base salary will be determined based on several factors which may include but are not limited to responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data and applicable bargaining agreement (if any).

Incentive Compensation:

As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Ingredion Annual Incentive Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus.

Benefits:

Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage as well as a 401(k) plan with a competitive company match.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. Ingredion seeks to provide a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, handicap or disability—mental or physical—marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability resulting from military service, or any other classification protected by law (“protected classifications”). We are committed to establishing and maintaining a work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Ingredion provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant's accommodation needs.

Ingredion uses AI-enabled tools to support parts of the recruitment process, including resume screening and interview scheduling. These tools help match candidate skills to job requirements and streamline communication. All AI-assisted decisions are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team to ensure fairness and compliance with applicable laws. By applying, you acknowledge that AI may be used to support your application journey.