No doubt that for many, a career is a ladder, mostly onward and upward though there may be a few steps back along the way. Scott Roush, Director of Technical Milling at Ardent Mills, says it’s more like a network—a vast, interconnected community of people, processes, and purpose.
With over 20 years in the industry, Scott has seen the grain milling world transform from the “analogue” era to a digital frontier. We sat down with him to discuss his journey from a mechanical engineering student to a leader in technical milling, and why he believes the heart of the industry remains its people.
From “Milling Science” to a Lifelong Passion
Scott didn’t set out to be a miller. Like many high school graduates, he headed to Kansas State University for mechanical engineering. But a pivot toward Baking Science—and eventually Milling Science—changed everything.
“A friend in the Baking Science program encouraged me to explore baking, which ultimately led me to discover Milling Science. I transferred majors after that first semester and quickly developed a strong appreciation for the program, the processes, and the people, which set the foundation for my career in the milling industry.”
That appreciation has turned into a two-decade career. Grain milling provides opportunities well beyond the communities within which its facilities operate. It’s a career and industry that spans the globe, creating opportunities for travel and personal and professional development.
Scott says, “It’s [milling] allowed myself and my family to see different areas of the country through my career progression. I’ve also been able to help provide opportunities for others to do the same whether that’s been through hiring entry level people into the mill, helping those that are working on shift in the mill to step up to milling leadership levels or through internship programs and full time hires from college.”
The Three P’s: People, Projects, and Problems
As Director of Technical Milling, Scott’s role is diverse, but he summarizes it through three pillars:
- People: Supporting recruitment through programs like Ardent Mills’ “Milling Development Associate” role and serving on the IAOM Education Committee.
- Projects: Identifying opportunities for mill improvements, from initial design to equipment installation and final optimization.
- Problems: Stepping in when a plant needs extra resources to solve complex equipment or operational issues.
Transforming How the World is Nourished
At Ardent Mills, the purpose is to “nourish the world through innovative ingredient solutions .” For Scott’s technical teams, this purpose is grounded in two non-negotiables: Personal Safety and Food Safety.
“If we cannot keep our people and processes safe, the whole thing falls apart,” Scott explains. “Flour milling provides a low-cost, nutritious food that is a staple in many lives. At Ardent Mills, safety is a value, not a priority or a job. It’s engrained in what we do.”
As the grain milling industry moves through a period of digital transformation, Scott emphasizes the importance of the “why.” When teams understand the purpose behind a new technology or a change in process, they are more likely to embrace the innovation required to feed a growing global population.
“Trying something new and innovative isn’t always easy, but when people understand why we’re making changes and where we’re headed, it makes that change easier to embrace and helps us move forward together.”
Training the Next Generation
One of the biggest challenges facing the industry is the transfer of knowledge from veterans to the next generation. Scott’s philosophy? Meet them where they are.
“Training the newest generation with the thought of ‘that’s the way I was trained’ isn’t going to work,” he says. He advocates for making workplaces “easier to train in” by replacing “tribal knowledge” with written procedures and automation.
“Industries have relied on the skills and experience of 10-, 20-, 30- and 40-year employees…[but] we can’t expect an entry level employee to know that ‘“tapping on that spout every 30 minutes keeps the mill running.’”
“This generation comes with a bigger purpose, and that aligns terrifically with flour milling and feeding the world,” Scott notes.
Embracing the Future: Digitalization & Sustainability
Scott describes himself as living half his life in an analogue world and half in a digital one. While he appreciates the mechanical “tweaks” of traditional milling, he views real-time data as a way to provide “extra eyes” on the process.
“We are still milling something that is grown in nature,” Scott reminds us. “We use real-time data to help us react to change and see things in the process before larger problems arise.” By putting this data directly into the hands of Head Millers, Ardent Mills ensures that decisions are informed, safe, and efficient.
In the technical world, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s an outcome of efficiency. By focusing on increasing yield and reducing breakdown losses, Scott’s team directly reduces energy consumption and minimizes waste. Technical Milling works closely with vendors to ensure that new technology isn’t just faster, but greener.
“Optimizing efficiency and operational effectiveness helps ensure the mills we support operate in a way that reduces or eliminates any product going to landfill.”
The Most Valuable Lesson
After 20 years, what is the biggest takeaway? For Scott, it’s about humility and continuous learning.
“No one in milling today ‘created milling.’ We are simply standing on the shoulders of those that came before us. The lesson is to listen to those who came before, those who are with us now, and those still to join. That is what makes us better than we were yesterday.”
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