The Mosaic Company: Helping to feed the world
The Mosaic Company, which is headquartered in Tampa, is the world’s leading integrated producer of concentrated phosphate and potash — two of the three most important components in crop nutrients. The company employs more than 13,000 people around the world, and its products are used in more than 40 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Mosaic employs Floridians in a wide variety of positions in mining, manufacturing and office operations.
Nikki Foster, Community Investment Manager, Diversity & Inclusion for Mosaic, talked about the company’s array of job opportunities and special workplace culture.
What makes your organization a great place to work?
It’s the people who work here. Our people are very dedicated to what they do. They take the mission very seriously. “We help the world grow the food it needs,” and we take pride in the work we do. We have a lot of specialized positions here, and we understand that if we don’t do what we do safely and ethically, it will undermine our business and our ability to operate. We have a global presence – we operate in several countries around the world.
What we do is essential, and there’s stability that comes with that. During the pandemic, we were considered an essential industry, which meant our facilities continued to operate. We continued to produce crop nutrient fertilizer to provide to our customers so farmers could continue to grow crops that would feed all of us.
What types of backgrounds or skills are you particularly seeking right now?
I think one of the most important skills we expect from a future employee is to be willing and able to comply with our safety standards. If you were to ask anyone in our organization, from our CEO down to our frontline manager, we want to make sure that our employees understand and appreciate the importance of a safe work environment. Following our safety guidelines is going to be the thing that lets them return home safely.
Examples of opportunities at Mosaic’s manufacturing facilities include Operator Trainee, Mechanic, EIA Technician, Field Operator, Area Coordinator and many more. Depending on the position, it may require a high school diploma, certification (experience may be comparable in some cases), or a degree for more advanced positions.
How would you describe the culture at Mosaic?
I would go back to safety – it is paramount in our culture. We make sure people understand just how important it is from day one. Simple things from holding on to the handrails to walk up and down the stairs, to week-long safety trainings for the plants and mines.
We also have a diverse organization; however, we recognize ways we can enhance our diversity efforts at Mosaic. We welcome people who have different backgrounds culturally, racially, or ethnically, and we encourage everyone to apply for our positions. We understand the importance of having a diverse workforce and how different perspectives breed innovative solutions. In the long term, you’ll have people who can look at things differently and say, “How can we do this better; how can we make it stronger?”
What are the keys to excelling at Mosaic and what are the prospects for long-term advancement within the company?
Everyone’s path is driven by each individual. We have employees that have worked in this company or predecessor companies for decades. Some employees have worked in several different locations. I had a conversation with one manager who said he worked in 10 different positions at six different locations. Stay trained or educated within your field. Come to work to be productive and engaged. Not all positions lead to promotions but could be experiential development opportunities that allow you to learn new skills in different parts of the business. That only makes you more valuable and helps you when there’s a chance to move up within the company.
Are there benefits and amenities that you’d like to highlight?
There are the basic benefits that come with a position within the company – medical, dental, vision, 401(K), life insurance, and paid time off – to name a few. Some of our locations provide access to on-site fitness facilities. We have occupational nurses on site to respond to acute health issues. There are some additional benefits that come from us working with community partners which give our employees discounts on certain things. Our facilities are well-kept, and we always want people to feel safe and secure. We have up-to-date technology to help you do your job well.
Anything else you’d like prospective job candidates to consider?
As job seekers are considering Mosaic as an organization, take some time to look at our website and see who we are. The crop nutrients that we produce increases crop yields up to 60%. What we do is vital, and it provides a much-needed resource for all of us – not just here in this area, but globally. What we do has a global impact, and we want to work with people who want to be a part of that.
For more on career opportunities with Mosaic, visit https://www.mosaicco.com/careers