A career where you can enhance lives every day
At Kensing, we work together to improve the quality of life of our clients, their customers, and each other. It shows in our dedication to collaboration, in our commitment to teamwork, and in the culture of pride and respect each of us strives to exhibit day after day.
We combine the deep heritage of our Kankakee plant with a commitment to leading the world in safety and purity, along with an eagerness for expansion. If you are passionate about innovation, about improving products and lives, we want to hear from you. At Kensing, we have a bright future ahead. You can be a part of it.
Utilities Production Supervisor - Day Shift | Kankakee, IL | 10/31/2024
JOB TITLE: Utilities Production Supervisor – Day Shift
DEPARTMENT: Operations
LOCATION: Kankakee, IL
SUPERVISOR: SSE Production Manager
JOB SUMMARY
The Production Supervisor will lead a team responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of utility systems at the Kankakee manufacturing plant. Acting as a role model, the supervisor will foster employee development, promote safety, and encourage high performance. This role is critical in maintaining our safety-first culture, driven by the belief that all incidents are preventable.
Supervision will be conducted within the framework of a collective bargaining agreement. This is primarily an 8-hour day shift position but may require working a 12-hour rotating shift to cover for other supervisors. The role also involves sharing responsibilities with other supervisors and requires availability for off-hour calls when needed.
Operations:
- Ensure compliance with all EHS requirements.
- Issue hot work and confined space permits to maintenance teams.
- Act as Incident Commander during emergencies.
- Collaborate with plant engineers to maintain optimal plant operations.
- Coordinate operations and maintenance efforts within the utilities team.
- Monitor raw material inventories to ensure uninterrupted operations.
- Track and meet key process indicators through daily communication with shift teams.
- Ensure adherence to plant procedures and production standards.
- Lead daily shift-change meetings to align on safety priorities, assignments, and production updates.
- Manage timekeeping and attendance for hourly personnel.
- Oversee training and development of direct reports.
- Communicate quality specifications and coordinate cross-functional efforts to meet production goals.
- Assist engineers in reviewing and refining operational procedures and owning the utility procedures.
- Develop and validate LOTO plans to support safe maintenance activities.
- Conduct regular housekeeping audits and maintain a clean, safe work environment.
- Submit work notifications for equipment repairs and contribute to maintenance prioritization.
- Maintain accurate shift logs and operational records.
- Complete incident reports and participate in root cause investigations.
- Support site turnaround planning and execution.
- Handle general production issues promptly and effectively
- Adhere to all GMP Standards/Requirements.
- All other duties as assigned.
Leadership:
- Cultivate a safety-driven culture where all incidents are viewed as preventable.
- Coach and mentor team members to unlock their potential and encourage growth.
- Support talent development through assignments and cross-unit movement.
- Inspire and challenge employees to achieve high performance.
- Foster an inclusive work environment that values and leverages diversity.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION:
Required: High School Diploma or GED.
EXPERIENCE:
Required:
- 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience collaborating in cross-functional teams.
Preferred:
- Experience with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures.
- Troubleshooting experience in manufacturing processes.
- Previous leadership experience in an industrial setting.
KNOWLEDGE/SPECIALIZED SKILLS:
Required:
- Technical/process knowledge relevant to utilities operations.
- Demonstrated commitment to environmental, health, and safety (EHS) principles, fostering a zero-incident mindset.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships quickly.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Proactive and results-driven, with strong problem-solving abilities.
- Proven ability to lead change effectively.
Preferred:
- Familiarity with root cause failure analysis (RCFA).
- Strong motivation for continuous improvement and problem-solving.
- Proficiency in various software applications, including SAP, Paylocity, production reporting, and spreadsheets.
Bulk Material Handler| Hopewell, VA | 10/28/2024
JOB TITLE: Bulk Material Handler
DEPARTMENT: Production
LOCATION: Hopewell, VA
SUPERVISOR: Head of Production
JOB SUMMARY
This position performs loading, unloading, and storage activities for truckload quantities of raw materials and finished products for the North Plant. These activities include packaging powder and liquid finished products from the manufacturing process into the finished product warehouse and scanning/entering product into the SAP inventory management system.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Unload incoming raw material deliveries.
- Loading finished product into truck trailer.
- Assure that proper documentation has been received before initiating the unloading/loading process.
- Obtain sample for Quality Control testing and release.
- Complete SAP work to account for payment of invoices.
- Unload daily hazardous raw material that arrives to the site.
- Conduct physical inventories and cycle counts of raw materials and packaging materials as directed by Supervisor/Manager to assure accuracy of SAP inventory.
- Package flaked products into 25 kg bags, stacking and palletizing bags.
- Package flaked products into 500 kg super sacks.
- Package liquid products into 55-gallon drums and 1000 kg totes.
- Complete daily flaking production log, inventory removals and inventory introductions.
- Daily housekeeping of responsible areas.
- Assist operations and warehouse personnel as required.
- Accurately scan/enter finished product into SAP.
- Adhere to all GMP Standards/Requirements.
- All other duties as assigned.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION:
Required: High-school education or equivalent; vocational training or job-related course work preferred.
- Must be capable of passing forklift certification.
EXPERIENCE:
- Preferred: 1+ years of relevant work experience in a chemical plant or related industry.
- Preferred: Experience with DCS (Distributed Control System).
- Preferred: Experience in SAP.
KNOWLEDGE/SPECIALIZED SKILLS:
- Ability to understand and operate a distributed process control system, personal computer and associated software systems.
- Ability to understand and use SAP.
- Ability to demonstrate basic math skills.
- Ability to manage time and determine priorities to meet daily plant requirements.
- Ability to understand and carry out routine verbal and written instructions.
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees.
- Must be available to work rotating shifts (for example, twelve-hour shifts) and weekends as scheduled.
- Must be able to operate forklift truck and be capable of passing certification testing.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Physical mobility and agility required.
- Must be able to perform all job duties in all weather conditions/seasons while wearing appropriate PPE.
- Must be able to operate forklift truck.
- Must be comfortable working around chemicals in manufacturing plant environment.
- Requires working in a rotating shift environment including weekends and holidays.
- Requires adequate physical strength to perform the essential job tasks (for example, ability to lift 50 lbs. without mechanical assistance).
- Exposure to prolonged physical activity (for example, twelve-hour shifts).
- Sensory faculties are needed to safely perform the job duties that allow a person to react to potential or immediate hazardous conditions and to take appropriate action.
- Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as respiratory protection, safety harness, and full protection suit as well as common protective or safety equipment including, but not limited to, safety shoes, eye protection, hand protection, hearing protection, hard hats, etc.
R&D Innovation SNVE Manager| Spain (Talavera or Valencia) | 10/8/2024
JOB TITLE: R&D Innovation SNVE Manager
DEPARTMENT: Research and Innovation
LOCATION: Spain (Talavera or Valencia)
SUPERVISOR: SVP of R & I
JOB SUMMARY
The role will be an invaluable part of Kensing’s Research & Innovation team and will play a key part in driving Kensing customer satisfaction and increasing Kensing’s overall market valuation. The position reports to the Senior Vice President: Research and Innovation and will participate in product development, application development, and customer support.
The role of this position is to enhance Kensing’s position in the antioxidant and nutritional supplement marketplaces through the development of products and applications based on natural Vitamin E, mixed tocopherols and phytosterols.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Works in a fast-paced, results-oriented team environment to provide unique solutions to internal and external customers’ needs.
- Responsible for technical support for the existing product line in the sterols and natural vitamin E business and their key customers in both Human Health and Nutrition and Pharmaceutical/ Nutraceutical applications.
- Contributes directly to both customer satisfaction and sales growth by leading and providing technical expertise to customers, salespeople, and marketing.
- Builds world class capabilities in Sterols and Natural Vitamin E applications in particularly Human Health and Nutrition and Pharmaceutical/ Nutraceuticals.
- Drives major transformative innovation projects by identification and development of complementary technologies in the Sterols and Natural Vitamin E space.
- Works with business and marketing to create unique value propositions for our products.
- Supports innovation and formulation development as the lead subject matter expert.
- Supports/accompanies the leadership team and salespeople in technical calls with key customers.
- Performs assigned tasks using own discretion and judgment as to the specific approach or technique.
- Adhere to all GMP Standards/Requirements.
- Other Duties as assigned.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION:
Required: MS in Chemistry or similar with 10 years of related industrial experience.
Preferred: Ph.D. in organic chemistry or similar, with appropriate experience in a related industrial setting.
EXPERIENCE:
- Solid organic chemistry knowledge and understanding of the fundamental aspects of complex chemistry and processes.
- Specific experience in the development and/or application of natural antioxidants for the food and feed industries is highly desirable.
- Commercial experience with product formulations and shelf-life enhancement techniques.
- Experience within the supplement and natural products industries including direct exposure to the associated regulatory bodies and guidelines.
- Proven ability and desire to solve technically complex problems.
- Excellent planning and organizing.
- Business acumen with excellent communication skills.
KNOWLEDGE/SPECIALIZED SKILLS:
- Self-starter with strong work ethic. Go-getter, problem-solver.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, in English and Spanish.
- The ability to successfully manage various projects and contribute to team investigations.
- Ability to work well in a fast-paced team setting, especially in a resource limited environment.
- Must be able to operate with limited supervision.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Travel: Up to 25% (+/-).
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift to 25 pounds at a time.
LOCATION:
Preferred locations: Talavera or Valencia.
Sales Director SSE (North America) | REMOTE (within the 50 United States, preferable East Coast) | 8/15/2024
JOB TITLE: Sales Director SSE (North America)
DEPARTMENT: Surfactants & Specialty Esters
LOCATION: REMOTE (within the 50 United States, preferable East Coast)
SUPERVISOR: VP of SSE
JOB SUMMARY
Sales Director SSE is responsible to lead and nurture high performance sales team and manage top strategic accounts to meet or exceed annual revenue and profitability targets as aligned with company’s strategy. Responsibility for maximizing our sales team potential, crafting, and executing sales plans, and meeting customers’ needs.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Responsible for direct leadership and mentorship of 4 +/- direct reports.
- Responsible for all sales portfolios and direct management of select strategic accounts.
- Achieve growth and hit sales targets by successfully managing the sales team.
- Design and implement a strategic sales plan that meets customer needs and is align with company’s strategic plan.
- Manage recruiting, objectives setting, coaching and performance monitoring of sales representatives.
- Build and promote strong, long-lasting customer relationships by partnering with them and understanding their needs.
- Set goals for direct reports and produce monthly forecasting reports (progression, targets, and budgets) connection with revenue stream for smooth transition month to month.
- Present sales, revenue and expenses reports and realistic forecasts to the management team.
- Identify emerging markets and market shifts while being fully aware of new products and competition status.
- Adhere to all GMP Standards/Requirements.
- Other duties as assigned.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
- Meet sales objectives and focus on customer retention as well as improving overall customer satisfaction.
- Set strategies and targets for growth of customers in collaboration with business director.
- Function as major point of contact to select strategic customers in assigned territory in all commercial matters and build deep customer relationships with all relevant customer stakeholders.
- Acquire a thorough understanding of key customer needs and requirements.
- Frequently conduct customer visits and prepare the meetings using all available tools and reports, coordinate, negotiate and close proposals.
- Resolve any issues and problems faced by customers and deal with complaints to maintain trust.
- Conduct market studies on potential new product opportunities by contacting customers to gather interest and test market demand.
- Develop new business in existing or new markets and manage opportunity pipelines through generation and closing of new business opportunities.
- Interface collaboratively with internal stakeholders including supply chain, purchasing, regulatory, legal and finance to create in a timely manner the best solution for the customer and extract maximum value.
- Drive sales excellence process and assure implementation of call reports, strategic account plans, collection of key market and competitor data.
- Work closely with Supply Chain/Operations to ensure inventory levels are maintained for sales forecasts and order fulfilment.
- Keep up to date with changes and updates in the product portfolio and in the market.
- Keep up to date on feedstock and upstream developments that impact product price movements.
- Ability to communicate in a clear, focused, and concise manner with both internal and external customers.
EDUCATION
Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree (Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Business Administration, Marketing).
Preferred Education: Master’s Degree preferred.
EXPERIENCE:
- Min 10 years of experience Managing and Leading High Performing Sales Teams
- Minimum of 10-15 years’ experience in sales with proven success building and maintaining long term commercial relationships.
- Strong chemical Industry experience.
- Experience in HI&I & PC markets is necessary.
- Experience selling surfactants preferred.
- Strong and previous knowledge of the collections process.
- Ability to understand and be conversant in relevant legal, regulatory and compliance issues.
- Deep understanding of Order to Cash process.
KNOWLEDGE/SPECIALIZED SKILLS:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Leadership, Mentorship, Collaboration, Approachable.
- Entrepreneurship (ability to be self-driven).
- Confidentiality
- Excellent planning and organizing.
- Extensive customer service, sales, and marketing experience.
- Time Management skills.
- Strong Microsoft Office Skills (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) & CRM.
- Ability to work remotely and travel.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Work performed is primarily indoor office setting with extended periods at a computer.
- Percentage of Travel: Up to/Approx 50%.
Head of Sustainability | Spain | 10/28/2024
JOB TITLE: Head of Sustainability
DEPARTMENT: EHS
LOCATION: Madrid, Valencia Spain
SUPERVISOR: Global Director-ESG, Health and Safety
JOB SUMMARY
The Head of Sustainability-Kensing will be accountable for and not limited to establishing and executing ESG Strategy & Requirements, practices, policies, procedures and standards for Kensing, ESG, enforcement and NGO interaction, ESG reporting, assist in maintaining ESG databases and systems, Management of Change (MOC), supporting Kensing in ESG awareness and training, and global consultation as required. The role will be the face of Kensing with respect to sustainability with customers and represent the company in all the forums to drive Kensing’s sustainability vision and strategy.
The Head of Sustainability will report to Global Director-ESG, Health and Safety and will work closely with Operations, HR, Procurement, and Marketing to ensure the company is moving forward on targets and objectives set. The role will also seek guidance from the CEO on strategy and customer/market related vision and conduct periodic reviews with Kensing Executive Team (KET).
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Sustainability/ESG
- Establishing ESG Strategy and Requirements, Practices, Policies, Procedures and Standards: Determine Applicability to Sites & Processes, Interpret Regulations, Interact with Regulatory Agencies, N.G.O’s, Various trade associations and customers on ESG topics. Assist in RC14001 management system creation and maintenance.
- ESG Leadership: Conduct Assessments on ESG metrics and targets, and mentor leaders in ESG compliance, hazards, and risks – processes.
- Responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of ESG management systems and programs in relation to Environmental and sustainability; the active promotion of ESG awareness; the collection, reporting, and analysis of key ESG performance indicators; and ensuring appropriate training is being administered
- Utilize sustainability databases, such as Persefoni and EcoChain to input Kensing’s sustainability metrics and extract data upon request for coworkers, superiors, sales force, etc.
- Work cross-functionally to obtain requested data for sustainability reports such as The Carbon Disclosure Project and report to CDP
- Assess and assist in developing Kensing’s Scope 3 Emissions reporting plan to help maximize information conveyed in both internal and external reports
- Work with the marketing & communications team to plan and write sustainability articles for internal platform to increase levels of sustainability-engagement throughout the organization
- Update ESG metrics deck from Systems to support efficient communication throughout the organization and outside the organization
- Report to various questionnaires and subscribed to assessment organizations, as an example but not limited to:
- EcoVadis – Annually
- Carbon Accounting Annually
- CDP / SBTi annually
- RC 14001 surveillance audits – annually
- Investor APEX annually – EcoVadis like
- ORCP – Novata – Annually
Procurement
- Assist, as needed, with the implementation of the existing Responsible Sourcing Strategy.
- Collect, analyze, and report on sustainability performance metrics related to palm and soy sourcing. Use this data to drive informed decision-making and transparently communicate progress towards our science-based targets.
- Contact suppliers to gather, and monitor, GPS and satellite data to demonstrate 100% traceability to the refinery, mill and plantation. Prepare a monthly report which identifies those suppliers that are in compliance with traceability to the origin of raw materials.
- Identify and approve suppliers that meet savings and sustainability requirements.
- Assist with ESG (supplier self-assessments and onsite assessments), supplier re-evaluation assessments and supplier scorecard scoring, evaluation and supplier action.
- Develop strong supplier relationships to understand the total cost of ownership of raw materials and the supply chain.
- Monitor commercial needs for RSPO mass balance and segregated palm/PKO derivative needs, and purchased credits, and work, in conjunction with Quality, to maintain document’s for RSPO audits.
- Ability to develop and implement sustainable sourcing strategies.
- Strong understanding of sustainable sourcing principles, industry standards (e.g., RSPO, RTRS), and certification schemes.
- Lead the completion of the following required submittals and updates:
- RSPO ACOP Annual submission
- 2) AASD/SPI questionnaire etc.
- Adhere to all GMP Standards/Requirements
- Other Duties as Assigned
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION:
- Required: Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, Environmental Science, Sustainability or related field or 8-10 years providing EHS and Sustainability guidance to chemical manufacturing environments.
- Preferred: Masters in Sustainable Development, climate management and finance or related programs
EXPERIENCE:
- 8-10+ years of industry experience
- Minimum 5 years of experience in industry around sustainability, sourcing in Personal Care and Ingredients; supply chain management, or a related field, with a focus on palm and/or soy sourcing
KNOWLEDGE/SPECIALIZED SKILLS:
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills with a “get things done” attitude.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders.
- Experience working in a fast-paced, international environment.
- Hands-on doer and strategic thinker
- Entrepreneurial spirit a must
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Travel: Up to 25%; to NA, Europe, LA and Asia
- Fluent English
- Spanish and a second European language desirable
- Hybrid/Remote Work Potential if Position is within US
- The position could be located preferably in Madrid, Valencia or Northeast US, preferably Chicago. Home based could be an option for highly qualified individuals but would require 50% travel intensity.
LOCATION:
Preferred locations: The position could be located preferably in Madrid, or Valencia. Home based could be an option for highly qualified individuals but would require 50% travel intensity.
