Introduction

Imerys in the UK employs over 1,110 people at 30 operations, including at five world-class open-pit mine sites, located in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire and Essex.  Imerys also has its UK based Lithium Project in Cornwall.

Our UK operations produce kaolin, ball clay, calcium carbonate and calcium aluminates for a broad spectrum of industries ranging from ceramics to paints to refractories and hydraulic binders. They feature a state-of-the-art Technology Center at Par Moor, Cornwall.

Our Cornish kaolin business has a long history in the UK. Kaolinite or ‘china clay’ was first discovered at Tregonning Hill as early as the mid 18th century and by the early 20th century, Cornish kaolin was dominating world porcelain production.

Today, Imerys continues to be a mainstay of the Cornish economy, employing around 1,110 people working at over 20 mining and processing facilities in the country. Our Cornish sites produce around one million tonnes of kaolin each year, transformed into sophisticated engineered minerals which are prized not just for high-end ceramics, but for a wide variety of end applications including, paints, adhesives, plastics, rubber, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, paper and cardboard.

Our state-of-the-art R&D center at Par Moor in southeast Cornwall spearheads research into sustainable solutions which anticipate and meet our customers’ changing needs.

The origins of our ball clay operations can be traced back to the late 1700s at our Devon (Newton Abbot) and Dorset (Wareham) operations. Today, the two sites focus on the production of rare ball clays valued for their plasticity as a base material in the manufacture of sophisticated sanitary ware and white ceramic tableware.

In addition to kaolin production, Imerys also operates three world class industrial sites in the UK producing ground and precipitated calcium carbonates, located in Staffordshire (Stoke on Trent), Cheshire (Lostock) and Yorkshire (Beverley).

Our chalk quarry and processing site at Beverley started life back in the 1800s producing 'whiting', a white chalk used in metal polish, putty, whitewash and paint. Today, our premium calcium carbonate grades find uses in a broad array of industries including construction, paper, paint, plastics, rubber, adhesives, food and pharmaceuticals and agriculture. Our calcium carbonate sites number more than 50 employees.

Imerys British Lithium

After several years of prospecting, British Lithium was the first company to discover a sizable lithium deposit in the UK – on Imerys mining land. It was also the first to develop a novel, environmentally-friendly process for extracting lithium and the first to produce battery grade lithium from Cornish granite.

Now known as Imerys British Lithium, the company has developed Europe’s only integrated lithium pilot plant.

As a result of this new joint venture with Imerys, the next stage is a pre-feasibility study with the objective of building a plant capable of producing over 20,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per year, for at least 30 years. This will be enough lithium to create over half a million electric car batteries – every year!

Imerys British Lithium plans to be operational before the end of this decade. It will create over 300 direct jobs and many opportunities for local people.

Why consider us?

Our people are our most important asset.  We’d be nothing without them. It’s their commitment to the business and capacity to think outside the box that drive us forward each day.

As world industry leaders with centuries worth of combined history in the mineral business, we’re bound to be passionate about what we do. If you think you’d like to share that passion and help us build on that history, we’d love you to check out our job opportunities and apply.

Here are 9 reasons to join us here at Imerys:

1. We’ll help you untap your full potential

We can help each other grow.  We trust our employees to get the job done, encouraging them to take initiative, be creative and think for themselves. Hear our employee stories.  

2. You’ll join a winning team

We’re leaders in 80% of our markets worldwide, and we’re not only spearheading the industry today – we’ll be here for the long term.  Find out more about our business.  

3. We offer a wealth of career opportunities

With operations the world over spanning diverse businesses, there’ll be ample opportunity for exploring your career path.  Envison an Imerys Career. 

4. You’ll be joining a diverse and inclusive workplace

We care.  Our people are from all different walks of life. We treat them fairly and equally, and reward them for what they achieve – not who they are. Meet some of our top achievers. 

5. We foster a collaborative work culture

You’ll work in a cross-cultural environment where team players share ideas, best practices and successes in win-win situations. It's all in a day's work.  Discover what Jenniffer and Shigeki have to say.  

6. We protect our people, local communities and the planet

When it comes to safeguarding the world in which we operate, we go the extra mile.  Learn about our sustainability practices and priorities. 

Unlocking the sustainable potential of minerals.  Guided by our SustainAgility program, we embed sustainable thinking into everything we do. We set ambitious mid-term targets as part of our global strategy and in line with the Group's purpose: Unlocking better futures for our people, our customers and our planet.

7. Our minerals make lives better

Minerals matter.  Though tiny and often invisible to the naked eye, our minerals are shaping today’s and tomorrow’s world, from supporting electric vehicles to helping fight against malaria.  Discover how our minerals are used. 

8. You’ll be part of the bigger picture

Whatever your role, you’ll have the chance to push your boundaries and become an important link in the Imerys chain. Explore the challenging jobs we have to offer.  

9. We’re driving innovation

Every day, our scientists come up with new formulations and cutting-edge developments that improve our customers' products and processes. 

See how you'll help create tomorrow's world:

Early Careers

Imerys offer apprenticeships, work experience, internships, work placements.  Mostly within science, technical and engineering fields.

Lilia Moret - an apprentice engineer who started in 2022. She chose the apprenticeship route as, being 26, she wanted to ‘earn and learn’. She has recently finished her apprenticeship early, thanks to her own hard work and dedication and as a result she is now working as a multiskilled engineer in our western mining area.  Lilia was recently chosen as the winner of our You Rock award, which is nominated by colleagues.  “I wanted to do an apprenticeship so that I could change my career completely.  It was a great way to get out of my old job in a kitchen, learn new skills and launch my engineering career.” she said.  “I chose Imerys because it’s a well-known Cornish company and I’m interested in the mining and quarrying side of it. Being here and experiencing all the different aspects of the business is such a good opportunity for me.”  When she completes her apprenticeship, Lilia will be a fully-skilled, multi-qualified engineer and the skills she’s learnt could take her anywhere in the world with Imerys.  “If you’re thinking about an apprenticeship, don’t be scared if you are a female going into this environment because everyone is welcoming and super helpful to you,” she said of being a female engineer at the company.  “So, if you’re willing to learn, no matter if you’re male or female, just go for it!”

For any enquiries about work experience, internships and work placements contact Clare Sleeman, Talent Manager.  Email [email protected]

We have various job types within our business:

Geology & Mining

Our business is about providing mineral solutions, which are often extracted from natural resources. As a result, geologists and mining engineers are central to everything we do, from exploration to extraction and mine planning.

The wide array of minerals in Imerys’ portfolio requires specific expertise to identify, secure and develop minerals in a way that is safe and profitable over the long term. Geologists and mining engineers work closely together, frequently on global projects.

Geology & Mining jobs include:

• Exploration Geologist
• Resource Planning Manager
• Mine Engineer

Sales & Marketing

Partnering with our customers to continually deliver added value to their businesses drives our Sales & Marketing teams on a daily basis. To meet and go beyond expectations, the teams work closely with Science & Technology and Industrial Operations to ensure Imerys develops and offers specifically tailored products that are delivered when and where our customers need them.

Sales & Marketing jobs include:

• Marketing Analyst
• Segment Market Manager
• Sales Account Manager
• Regional Sales Manager

Operations

Our operational expertise and processes are at the heart of our business. Transforming minerals into a product that meets the precise specifications of our customers in an environment that is safe and secure for everyone is essential to satisfy our clients. It requires people with sound technical expertise and rigorous standards who can collaborate to implement continuous improvements. With 230 industrial sites in over 50 countries, our Operations teams have a great deal of autonomy and responsibility.

Operations jobs include:

• Site or Plant Manager
• Plant Production Manager
• Operational Excellence
• Coordinator Maintenance Manager
• Process Engineer
• Project Management Officer

Science & Technology

Improving our ability to meet our customers needs is one of Imerys key priorities. Our Science & Technology teams work closely with our business and marketing teams to develop new products and technologies for customers.

We have nine Technology Centers, employing over 300 highly-skilled researchers and technicians. Their objective is to create innovative solutions, with a focus on growth markets.

Science & Technology jobs include:

• Portfolio Manager/Analyst
• Process Innovation Engineers
• Scientists
• Process Development Engineers
• Technicians
• Portfolio Managers
• Business Innovation Analyst

Finance & Controlling

As a public company, we comply with certain rules and provide clear and transparent reporting. In addition to performing the basic functions that any business needs to function, our finance team works closely with our various business areas to support them in continuously improving their performance.

Finance & Controlling jobs include:

• Commercial Controller
• Operations Controller
• Shared Services Manager
• Credit Analyst
• Treasury Manager

Support functions

There are a host of other positions that are vital to supporting Imerys and ensuring that we can run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.  From Human Resources and Talent Management to Environmental Health & Safety (EHS). Other crucial roles include Payroll, Communications, Labour Relations and IT, as well as areas such as supply chain management, procurement, legal services, strategy and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

Support function jobs include:

• Environmental Health & Safety Manager
• Supply Chain Manager
• Infrastructure Expert
• IT Manager
• Intellectual Property Counsel (lawyers)