Process-Project Engineer – Heavy Industry Preferred - Minerals Technologies

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.

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

Position: Process-Project Engineer

Location: USA | Lucerne Valley, CA

Compensation: $110-$145k per year

Summary:

The Process-Project Engineer, under general supervision is responsible for: (1) recommending and implementing cost and quality improvements; (2) utilizing technical knowledge, experience, and common sense in the modification of existing processes and design of new processes; (3) developing and preparing engineering and operational estimates for capital  improvements; (4) preparing project scopes, schedules and coordinating work between in-house resources and various contractors; (5) preparing equipment specifications; (6) preparing cost analyses and technical reports; (7) other special projects as required.

In addition, the Process Engineer works as part of a team to integrate the design, development, deployment, measurement, and improvement of systems throughout the manufacturing process with an emphasis on the interaction between all components.  From supply and production through delivery to data management, organizational structure, and finance, develops and maintains efficient manufacturing and administrative processes to support maximum production of high-quality product at the lowest cost and in the shortest time.  Responsible for driving process improvements throughout the plant to support key strategic initiatives, increase productivity and reliability, and reduce waste. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops process changes to improve yields and increase production in order to lower costs.
• Prepares proposals for improvements/additions in equipment and supervises installation and start up.
• Utilizes technical and equipment knowledge to alter equipment for changes in processes.
• Coordinates and supervises plant scale trial as requested by the technology and research groups.
• Proposes necessary repair and replacement of equipment.
• Works with research and technology groups on projects to lower cost and improve quality.
• Prepares cost analyses and technical reports as required.
• Conducts necessary tests to determine equipment and system capacities.
• Consults with Purchasing and Engineering in selection, purchase, and installation of new equipment.
• Identifies and executes Continuous Improvement projects aligned to key business strategies.
• Identifies and deploys Lean Manufacturing best practices
• Mentors and coaches plant personnel on MTI Operational Excellence philosophy and tools
• Ensures plant personnel remain informed and trained on MTI Operational Excellence activities, (5S, Total Productive Maintenance [TPM], Daily Management Control, Standardized Work and Problem Solving.
• Champion for improvement activities (benchmarking, bottleneck analysis, loss analysis, trend analysis and reporting, etc.)
• Assists management team with the advancement of High-Performance Work Systems
• Performs business analysis to identify, generate, develop, and execute opportunities.
• Coordinates, communicates, and documents plant Hoshin and Kaizen activities and monitors/tracks idea program
• Reviews and tracks all monthly standard work audits
• Creates and revises visual standard work as needed and ensures all visual standard work procedures and manuals are current
• Develops, maintains, and communicates key production, financial, quality, OE and cost metrics
• Works with safety department personnel to ensure MTI safety philosophy is incorporated into all continuous improvement activities (training, self-assessments, safety audits, incident reporting, non-routine task risk review, etc.)
• Works with management team to effectively monitor, assess and adjust inventory levels, (finished goods, MRO, etc.) as required.
• Provides input and support to Quality Assurance Department to maintain, audit and update QA systems to ensure continued certification (ISO, etc.) and customer satisfaction (Customer Concern database)

Continuous Improvement/Lean

• Acts as resource and champion for department continuous improvement activities (Suggestion Program, 5S, Kaizen, TPM, problem solving, etc.).
• Manages individual employee involvement in continuous improvement activities to ensure equal opportunities are available for all department members to participate and contribute.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Other duties as assigned

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:  Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Experience: Minimum of ten years related experience in an industrial environment with demonstrated Continuous Improvement role in a manufacturing environment. 

Incumbent must have demonstrated cross functional operations experience with a strong understanding of various plant functions required. Incumbent must have a well-developed business understanding, working knowledge of customer requirements and demonstrate a balance between analytical and creative thinking.  Incumbent must also be a self-starter who seeks responsibility and is able to work with minimal direction.  Must be proficient in personal computers, including spreadsheet, database, and word processing software.  Incumbent must possess excellent organizational and written and oral communication and presentation skills, the ability to motivate others and to promote a positive work atmosphere.    Must have strong leadership and facilitation skills, the ability to influence and drive change coupled with excellent interpersonal skills.  Incumbent must be able to work effectively with all levels of employees within the company.  Incumbent must have demonstrated a willingness to challenge conventional ideas, to be a flexible, innovative individual and one who can function effectively in a team format. 

Working Conditions: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is typically required to regularly conduct work in a controlled office environment, moving around the office as needed, sitting at a desk, and using office equipment, including but not limited to a personal computer, fax, copier, and phone.  Constant contact with individuals internal and external to the organization occurs via various methods of communication typically including face-to-face discussions, electronic mail, phone calls, written letters and/or faxes.  On a frequent basis, there may be exposure to plant production areas, which includes exposure to outside weather conditions as well as loud noise from equipment and dust from production processes.  Exposure to plant areas requires the use of appropriate safety equipment.  Personal protective equipment is available for employee use in these circumstances.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is typically required to have the ability to work in an office environment, using office equipment as needed, read, write, listen, speak, and understand English, follow instructions and other oral/written information, compose correspondence in a professional manner, complete paperwork and other documentation accurately, work independently and with others, communicate effectively with all individuals internal and external to the organization, analyze information/situations as needed, be organized and detail-oriented, be able to identify/judge the urgency of a situation, use judgment in decision making and use creativity and negotiation when necessary.

The employee is expected to be self-directed, take initiative and be persistent when appropriate to accomplish necessary duties and keep busy without prompting.  Additionally, the employee is expected to be adaptable/flexible to changing work assignments, have a high level of integrity, motivate and lead others/provide direction, have dependability and self-control to maintain composure, perform multiple tasks at once, learn and memorize procedures, manage time effectively and efficiently, meet established deadlines, display a cooperative attitude, read, understand and follow all company, job specific and safety policies/procedures, and attend/use all required training. 

On an as needed basis, there will be exposure to plant areas, which include exposure to outside weather conditions as well as loud noise from equipment and dust from production processes.  While performing the duties of this job, an employee is occasionally required to have the ability to lift materials weighing up to and including 30-50 pounds.

Travel: Travel may occur domestically and internationally as required

Work Hours:  Must have ability to work the shift/number of hours in which duties need to be accomplished, including overtime, holidays, and weekends, as necessary.  Call-ins may occur as needed.

Safety Training:  A new employee hired to perform the duties of this position is required to be provided New Employee Training by a qualified individual or through the online training system.  Additionally, an employee must be provided further training if a job duty/task has changes that will affect the health and safety aspects of that employee’s position.

Additional refresher safety training will be required as management deems appropriate or as dictated by government regulations.

Company Overview: 

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

Our Consumer & Specialities 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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