Minerals Technologies Inc. is a global, technology-driven specialty minerals company that develops, produces, and markets a wide range of minerals and mineral-based products and services.

Our products are an essential part of everyday life for millions of people around the world. They are used in consumer goods in paper and packaging, food and pharmaceuticals, household and personal care, pet care, automotives, and many more, as well as in industrial settings like steelmaking, metalcasting, construction, infrastructure, and wastewater remediation.

We are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MTX, headquartered in New York City, and have over 150 locations worldwide, with ~4,000 employees in 34 countries and 12 R&D centers.

We put people at the center of everything we do -- working safely, communicating openly, and managing our resources and businesses responsibly.

Company: Specialty Minerals Inc., a Minerals Technologies company, is the largest supplier and global leader in providing Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) and Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC) specially designed for customers' application needs.

Position: Maintenance Team lead

Location: Lucerne Valley, CA

Compensation: $45.00 - $47.00 per hour

What We Offer:

• Competitive pay, commensurate with experience
• Health/Dental/Vision plans
• 401k company match
• Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability & Long-Term Disability
• Educational Assistance
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Vacation Pay, Holiday Pay, Personal Days, and Sick Days
• This position is overtime eligible and we offer quarterly plant incentives

This role is classified as safety sensitive. Candidates must pass a pre employment drug screen, including testing for THC, and will be subject to random testing. 

Job Summary

The Maintenance Mechanical Team Lead is responsible for leading and coordinating daily mechanical maintenance activities throughout the fixed plant mineral processing operation. This position provides hands-on leadership to maintenance personnel while ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of crushers, impactors, conveyors, screens, material handling systems, and other plant assets. The Team Lead works closely with operations, maintenance, and engineering personnel to minimize downtime, improve equipment reliability, and support continuous improvement initiatives.  The team lead is also responsible for training and skills development of the maintenance mechanics.

The team lead role is expected to execute work orders and mechanical repairs as needed to support the operation.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Safety & Compliance

• Promote a strong safety culture and lead by example.
• Conduct workplace inspections and hazard assessments.
• Ensure compliance with MSHA, environmental, and company regulations.
• Participate in incident investigations and corrective action implementation.
• Verify proper lockout/tagout procedures are followed.
• Ensure housekeeping standards are maintained throughout work areas.

Leadership & Supervision

• Lead and direct maintenance mechanics in daily work assignments.
• Attend and occasionally lead daily coordination meeting with operations
• Coordinate manpower, tools, and resources to complete maintenance activities safely and efficiently.
• Provide technical guidance, training, and mentoring to maintenance personnel.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, safety requirements, and maintenance procedures.
• Participate in departmental meetings and communicate maintenance priorities.
• Assist with employee development activities.

Maintenance Operations

• Perform and oversee preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities.
• Troubleshoot and repair mechanical equipment failures throughout the facility.
• Coordinate emergency repairs to minimize production downtime.
• Prioritize planned maintenance and emergency repairs with the operations team
• Inspect equipment and identify potential reliability issues.
• Create and review work orders
• Issue parts from the warehouse to work orders
• Ensure proper use of maintenance management systems and documentation.

Equipment Maintenance

Maintain and oversee repairs of:

• Primary crusher
• Impactors
• Screening equipment
• Conveyor systems
• Bucket elevators
• Hydraulic systems
• Pneumatic systems
• Diverter gates
• Blowers
• Pumps and piping systems
• Dust collection equipment
• Rotary dryers and processing equipment
• Gearboxes and drive systems
• Material handling equipment
• Lubrication systems

Planning & Reliability

• Assist in scheduling maintenance activities for upcoming week
• Develop and maintain maintenance backlog
• Support Oracle maintenance planning process
• Support root cause failure analysis efforts
• Recommend equipment improvements and reliability enhancements.
• Monitor equipment condition and maintenance KPIs.
• Help identify spare parts requirements and inventory needs.
• Work with engineering and operations teams on capital improvement projects.

Note: Management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Qualifications/Requirements

The requirements listed in the sections that follow are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform the duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions (primary duties) of the job.

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Technical school, vocational training, or maintenance certifications preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of industrial mechanical maintenance experience.
• Minimum 2 years of leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience in mining, aggregates, cement, lime, quarry, or heavy industrial operations preferred.

Technical Knowledge

Working knowledge of:

• Mechanical troubleshooting techniques
• Bearings, belts, chains, and power transmission systems
• Hydraulic and pneumatic systems
• Welding and fabrication
• Precision alignment procedures
• Conveyor maintenance
• Preventive and predictive maintenance practices
• Mobile equipment maintenance
• Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)

Required Skills and Competencies

• Commitment to workplace safety and operational excellence.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills.
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and coordination skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings and equipment manuals.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in an industrial mining and mineral processing environment.
• Frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to climb ladders, stairs, and elevated work platforms.
• Ability to work in varying weather conditions, dust, noise, and temperature extremes.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and perform physical tasks for extended periods.

Working Conditions

• Mining and mineral processing plant environment.
• Exposure to dust, noise, vibration, and moving equipment.
• Potential for weekends, overtime, and emergency call-outs may be required.
• Must wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Federal Applicant Information