Operations Supervisor

MP Materials; Mountain Pass (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

MP Materials, located in Mountain Pass, California, is seeking an Operations Supervisor responsible for leading daily plant operations and ensuring safety and efficiency. The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of proven leadership in chemical or industrial operations, with strong skills in problem-solving and safety management. Familiarity with SCADA and PLC systems is preferred. Join a mission-driven company transforming American industrial capability.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of proven leadership experience in chemical, mining, or heavy industrial operations.
• Deep working knowledge of processing systems, equipment, and safety-critical operations.
• Familiar with mechanical systems: kilns, dryers, thickeners, etc.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team through daily operations in mineral processing.
• Ensure execution of daily plans is safe and efficient.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for communication.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Team-oriented culture

Communication

Safety-focused

Tools

SCADA

PLC/HMI systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Company Overview

MP Materials (NYSE: MP) is rebuilding American industrial capability for a new era of autonomy, robotics, and electrification. We are the only U.S. company with a fully integrated rare earth supply chain—from mining and refining to advanced metal and magnet manufacturing. Our products include both the critical materials used to make permanent magnets and the finished magnets themselves—enabling next‑generation technologies in robotics, automation, aerospace, transportation, defense, and energy systems. These materials are the foundation of physical AI—the convergence of computation, movement, and control. We hire ambitious, mission‑driven people who want to tackle complex challenges and shape the future of strategic industries. Our culture is rooted in teamwork, resiliency, and integrity, with a deep commitment to operational excellence and national purpose. MP is rapidly evolving from a materials producer into a leading U.S. manufacturer—and our people are driving that transformation.

Position Overview

As an Operations Supervisor at our Mountain Pass site, you will serve as a frontline leader, driving safe, efficient, and disciplined daily plant operations. You’ll lead by example, championing safety, maximizing performance, and instilling a culture of accountability, ownership and pride. This role demands strong leadership in both field and control‑room settings, sound decision‑making under pressure, and the ability to foster a team‑oriented culture where safe, consistent and high‑quality results are the standard.

Essential Duties

• Lead and support a team through daily operations in mineral processing and chemical productions.
• Frontline leadership, in the field, with your team.
• Ensure execution of daily plans is safe, efficient, and aligned with production goals.
• Drive a strong, team‑first culture grounded in accountability, communication, and performance.
• Solve problems in real time, monitor production data, troubleshoot issues, and elevate appropriately.
• Set clear expectations, hold the line, and train team members to develop technical and leadership skills.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams and lead to maintain clear communication up and down the chain.
• Ensure compliance with safety procedures, environmental protocols and HR policy.
• Handle other operational tasks as assigned by leadership.

Basic Qualifications

• At least 3 years of proven leadership experience in chemical, mining or heavy industrial operations.
• Deep working knowledge of processing systems, equipment and safety‑critical operations.
• Comfortable with fieldwork and process oversight—from control rooms to pump pads.
• Ability to build trust, give direct feedback and uphold standards without micromanaging.
• Safety‑focused, integrity‑driven and mission‑aligned.
• Familiarity with SCADA, PLC/HMI systems, process data visualization and historian interfaces.
• Familiar with mechanical systems: kilns, dryers, thickeners, filter presses, pumps, valves, reactor tanks, wet scrubbers, heat exchangers.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record (required to operate company vehicles).

Desired Qualities

• Ability to read and apply PFDs and P&IDs for process oversight.
• Experience in solvent extraction, hydrometallurgy, chlor‑alkali, ion exchange and wet chemistry operations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Experience with ERP and payroll/HR systems preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

MP Materials is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affinity Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Underrepresented groups/Women/Disabled/Veterans are encouraged to apply. Candidates whose disabilities make them unable to meet the position’s requirements will still be considered qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation.

Your Right to Work – In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment verification document form upon hire.

For Assistance with Application – Alternative methods of applying for employment are available to individuals unable to submit an application through this site because of a disability. Contact Human Resources Department at 702‑844‑6111.

Safety Provision – Employees are responsible for following all company, industry and regulatory procedures and laws to ensure a safe work environment for themselves and the company. Employees must promote safety among the workforce, participate in Process Hazard Analysis procedures and Pre‑Startup Safety Reviews. Personal Protective Equipment is required when performing work in a mine, manufacturing, outdoor or plant environment.

Working Conditions – Our facility sits at an elevation of 4,700 feet. Employees may be subject to extreme weather conditions when working in an outdoor setting (heat and cold, wind). Work is at an open‑pit mine or manufacturing/chemical plant setting, which may include exposure to moving mechanical parts, toxic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, explosives, fumes or airborne particles.

Physical Demands – Manual dexterity; sense of touch; sense of smell; speaking clearly; hearing-speech range; seeing, reading and comprehension; standing and using hands and fingers; occasional walking, reaching, climbing or balancing; lift of 50 lbs.; work in PPE level C; must pass full-face respiratory fit test.