Overview

Minerals Technologies Inc. (MTI) is a leading, technology-driven specialty minerals company that develops, produces, and markets a broad range of mineral and mineral-based products, related systems, and services. MTI serves a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including household and personal care, paper, foundry, steel, construction, and environmental solutions around the world. The company reported global sales of $2.2 billion in 2023.

Job Summary:

This position is within the Pet Care R&D group, which is part of our Pet Care Business Unit, Household & Personal Care business product line and within the Consumer & Specialties segment of MTI. Our Pet Care Group is active in working with retail and branded customers to develop innovative litter products in both the private label and branded space. We are a global, leading supplier of scoopable cat litter with thirteen manufacturing locations worldwide. We formulate and manufacture cat litters using our expansive bentonite clay reserves, other complimentary minerals, and customer pleasing functional and aesthetic additives, including fragrances, odor control agents, anti-microbial additives, colored aesthetic granules, and additional additives focused on improving the overall litter experience for the consumer. The ideal candidate is responsible for leading the development of new products and continually improving all aspects of existing products, especially related to ingredients, packaging and overall cost improvements. A solid understanding of taking it from the innovation stage to manufacturing and commercialization is important.

Compensation: $150k-$200K base with bonus potential

Location:  Hoffman Estates, IL, U.S. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the commercial and marketing team to develop product strategy, and,
• Lead the on-site day-to-day activities of R&D team based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois to enhance our global footprint and product development.
• Align project goals and objectives with the commercial team based on meeting the needs of our current and future customers, as well as to align our goals with trends in the litter category. Independently performs research activities and new product development in laboratory, pilot scale or field environment.
• Collaborate with our commercial/marketing teams and customers to obtain “Voice of Customer” in order to generate a pipeline of ideas and concepts that would add value to our customers as they commercialize their products with valid claims.
• Assist our commercial team with understanding new and innovative technologies, which can then be used to present to our customers.
• Benchmarks industry top selling branded items vs. our products and recommends areas for quality improvements – whether that be dust, odor control, clumping, packaging, etc.
• Work with our manufacturing teams to ensure manufacturing readiness, and successful product transfer from laboratory to manufacturing, and development of procedures to meet commercialization timelines.
• Recognizes, uses, and follows all corporate safety policies and procedures.
• Monitors and provides guidance for the successful completion of multiple research and development projects, using Hoshin Kanri methodology.
• Responsible for leading staff, including recruitment, selection, performance management and all other aspects of people leadership.
• Creates a positive workplace environment that fosters continuous improvement and relentless problem solving.
• Leads and promotes activities relating to key company initiatives: EHS, OE, Expense Reduction, and New Process and Product Development (NPPD) activities.
• To support the sustainability objectives of the business unit and develop new opportunities to reduce negative impacts on the environment.

OE/Lean

• Actively lead and participate in the implementation of continuous improvement processes such as 5S, Kaizen, Visual Management, Leader Standard Work, Hoshin Kanri, QFD, etc.
• Ensure tracking, daily management and use of key performance indicators to promote improved operational and business results (Plan-Do-Check-Act).

Position Demands

Knowledge:  Must possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline. An advanced degree in Chemistry or technical field with R&D experience related to consumer-packaged goods (CPG) goods from a mid-large CPG company is preferred.

Skills & Abilities:  Ability to understand and develop mineral based cat litters, and to understand and implement functional/consumer pleasing additives to the mineral based cat litters. Someone to bring processes, infrastructure, and solid leadership to organizations. Ability to operate a computer and relevant software for the position requirements. Speaks, reads, writes, and understands English language. Effective Communicator. Client-driven. Fast, Focused and Fundamental.

Physical & Mental:   Extensive work in laboratory environment. Occasional climbing, bending, kneeling, and walking in an industrial plant setting. Must be able to gather, organize and analyze data, draw conclusions, and manage a moderate level of stress. Must wear safety equipment as required. Able to lift a minimum of 40 lbs. without difficulty.

General:   Ability to travel locally and internationally by air and car. Infrequent travel, typically 5-7 times per year. Trips can range between 2 and 5 business days.

Working Relationships

Internal:  Business Management, Commercial (Sales & Marketing), Operations, Quality, R&D, Supply Chain, Finance, Human Resources, Engineering, and IT.

External: Pet Care Group customers and material suppliers. Maintains and develops contacts with relevant professional organizations (Universities, Research laboratories, and Industrial Associations).

MTI focuses on two major segments – Consumer & Specialties and Engineered Solutions. 

Our Consumer & Specialties segment offers technologically enhanced products to consumer-driven end markets plus specialty additives that become functional components in a variety of consumer and industrial goods. This segment includes our Household & Personal Care and Specialty Additives product lines. The Household & Personal Care product line provides mineral-to-market products that serve consumer-oriented end markets including Pet Care, Personal Care, Fabric Care, Edible Oil, and Renewable Fuel Purification. Our Specialty Additives product line provides mineral-based technologies serving Paper, Packaging, Sealants & Adhesives, Paint & Coatings, Ceramics, Plastics, Food & Pharmaceutical markets.

Our Engineered Solutions segment offers advanced process technologies and solutions that are designed to improve our customers’ manufacturing processes and projects. This segment includes our High-Temperature Technologies and Environmental & Infrastructure product lines. Our High-Temperature Technologies product line offers specially formulated blends and technologies primarily for Foundry and Steelmaking industries. Our Environmental & Infrastructure product line provides waterproofing, water purification, remediation, and other fluid management technologies for critical projects for Remediation, Water Purification, and Infrastructure.

MTI provides a business environment and promotes a culture that encourages all employees to contribute to our success. We have long been committed to the recruitment and advancement of the most talented and qualified people. We recognize that MTI’s ability to provide the highest caliber of products and services is enhanced by a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities and countries in which we work.

EOE | mineralstech.com

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