Vantage is a leading global supplier of naturally derived specialty ingredients and formulations that cater to the evolving needs of consumer and industrial markets. Through our chemistries, our customer focus, and our vertically integrated farming, manufacturing, and formulation facilities around the world, we are Enabling Tomorrow’s Solutions Toda y .

With sales of more than $1 billion, approximately 1,000 employees, and a footprint in 13 countries around the world, Vantage is driven by an intense focus on our customers, providing a broad portfolio of customized solutions, formulations, and ingredients that are tailored to meet their specific needs.

Under the leadership of Steve Doktycz, a 27-year chemical industry and strategic development veteran, its tenured leadership team represents decades of industry experience coupled with an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for natural chemistry. Vantage is headquartered in the United States (Deerfield, IL, a Chicago suburb).

Since its inception in 2008, Vantage’s continued growth has been realized through a combination of focused commercial efforts, significant capital investment into our manufacturing assets, strategic entry into geographic markets, and niche acquisitions to develop our leading portfolio of natural-based specialty ingredients.

Vantage™ is backed by H.I.G., a leading global alternative investment firm with $43 billion of equity capital under management with a focus on the small and midcap segments of the market, with a minority investment by The Jordan Company.

For more information: www.vantagegrp.com

The Role

Vantage Specialty Chemicals is a global leader in the manufacturing of select raw materials for use in value-added formulations. We are a global natural chemistry company that creates, produces, and sources high-end and tailored specialty chemicals and ingredients incorporated into everyday products that nourish, care for, sustain and enhance performance. Backintegrated into natural oils and oleo chemistry, we use science to transform naturally derived products by bringing technology from the lab into the global marketplace. Vantage was awarded EcoVadis Gold Ranking in the top 5% of the most sustainable companies in the world.

Most of our ingredients are sourced from natural sources employing responsible and sustainable practices, making it better, safer, and healthier for people and plant alike.

Also, part of our key manufacturing process includes esterification, alkoxylation, and blending capabilities, plus the manufacturing of over 100 oleochemical derivatives for customers seeking high-performance, naturally derived ingredients. We also supply select vegetable oils to industrial markets and have a custom manufacturing segment providing solutions for many customer-specific requirements.

POSITION SUMMARY

Currently, we are seeking to fill a total of (4) Coop positions and all our Co-op opportunities consist of five rotations. Two Coops will be assigned to our Chicago, Illinois facility with the other two Coops assigned to our Gurnee, Illinois location. All Coops start either in the Summer session or the Fall. Students interested must meet the specific criteria listed below.

Vantage offers a five-term rotational Co-op experience. Our structure provides the Coop with a well-rounded opportunity that covers both technical and commercial backgrounds to develop skills and capabilities (Lab, Lab/Process, Process, Manufacturing, and Marketing).

The Vantage Co-Op program is clearly defined as it relates to work activities and expectations. The Human Resources Department oversees and leads the entire program.

POSITION SCOPE

During the course of the five-year rotation program, students are assigned one mentor for all five rotations plus the student will have different supervisors from various disciplines of our business, and continuous feedback to motivate, develop and make the experience with Vantage something remarkable. In addition to the possibility to interact and exchange knowledge with multicultural teams across the world.

Frequently assigned projects may include chemical product reformulation to help improve cost, quality improvement projects that focus on improving quality metrics, and productivity improvement efforts within the manufacturing facility. You will be responsible for developing, evaluating, and testing alternatives and then implementing a solution.

The work that you will be assigned is integral to our business goals and objectives. Site management will be supportive during the tasks and activities being performed and interested in your results and your development.

You will be responsible for summarizing the project's statuses and you will be able to share your results with the leadership team at the end of your rotation period improving and developing your presentation and communication capabilities. In addition, thorough Safety, Communication, Analysis, Technical, and a huge variety of training will be provided.

By the end of the Coop experience, you will have learned how to use statistical techniques in a manufacturing setting and you will gain experience testing and executing projects in a manufacturing setting, also you will begin to shape your career within Vantage as the Co-op program is the first stage of our early career and talent development program, Followed by the management trainee stage after graduation, and could be concluded with the MBA program. In Vantage, we will be happy to be part of your professional development.

The Ideal Candidate

Qualifications

• Must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at Purdue University

• Must have a minimum 3.5 GPA, cumulative and within major

• Outstanding interpersonal skills required

• Demonstrable teamwork capabilities

• Capability to build relationships with others, peers, supervisors, and stakeholders

• Well-developed computer skills – Microsoft office required; power bi – desirable

• Statistical and data analytics capabilities.

• Demonstrated leadership skills, ability to work independently and make autonomous decisions when necessary

• Unlimited authorization to work in the United States

Vantage is a leading supplier of naturally derived specialty ingredients and formulations that cater to the evolving needs of industrial and consumer markets. Through our chemistries, our customer focus and our global footprint, we are Enabling Tomorrow's Solutions Today.

As a company on the move, you’ll be working as part of a collaborative team and getting to know the cultural diversity of our world. We learn from each other to constantly improve, adapt and iterate. We value the voice and talent of our colleagues by empowering them to drive their unique ideas to completion. We’re convinced that exceptionally motivated employees produce outstanding results. Most importantly, we know you’re going to like it here.