M

Momentive

Produces silicones and specialty solutions worldwide

Global Business Operations Partner Intern

Summer 2027
$22 - $26
Internship
Bachelor's, Master's
Waterford, NY, USA+1 moreMore locations: Friendly, WV, USA
In Person
Business & StrategyBusiness Operations

About the job

Requirements
  • Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Analytics, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • Demonstrate strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
  • Have a basic understanding of statistics and quantitative analysis.
  • Be proficient with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office applications.
  • Have strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Pay attention to detail and be able to document processes clearly and accurately.
  • Be able to work independently while managing multiple priorities and projects.
  • Have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
  • Be actively enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at the time of application and remain enrolled for at least one semester following completion of the internship.
  • Be available to work full-time, 40 hours per week, for 10–12 weeks between May and August 2027.
Responsibilities
  • Support Lean Six Sigma initiatives focused on improving operational efficiency, product quality, and business performance.
  • Apply structured problem-solving methodologies to identify root causes of process inefficiencies and quality challenges.
  • Assist with the development and execution of continuous improvement projects that deliver measurable results.
  • Translate business needs and performance gaps into actionable improvement opportunities.
  • Support project teams in tracking key performance metrics and validating project outcomes.
  • Complete training and project work required to achieve Lean Six Sigma White Belt certification.
  • Collect, organize, and analyze Operations, Quality, and Manufacturing data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
  • Perform data mining, hypothesis testing, and statistical analysis to support business decisions and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Develop reports, dashboards, and visualizations that communicate findings to stakeholders.
  • Use data-driven methodologies to evaluate process performance and identify sources of variation.
  • Present insights and recommendations that support operational excellence objectives.
  • Evaluate opportunities identified through tools and systems such as the Operational Excellence Maturity Model (OEMM), Management Operating System (MOS), Manufacturing Execution System (MES), customer complaint data, out-of-specification (OOS) data, slow-moving inventory (SMI), GLIMS, and Quality Systems.
  • Analyze performance gaps and convert findings into potential improvement projects.
  • Assist with identifying process bottlenecks, waste reduction opportunities, and productivity improvements.
  • Support implementation and sustainment of operational excellence best practices.
  • Partner with Quality and Operations teams to evaluate product quality performance and process effectiveness.
  • Conduct trend analysis on defect and quality data to identify recurring issues and improvement opportunities.
  • Assist in root cause investigations and corrective action initiatives.
  • Evaluate manufacturing processes and testing methods to identify opportunities for quality improvement projects.
  • Support efforts to improve product consistency, reduce defects, and enhance customer satisfaction.
  • Lead or support assigned continuous improvement projects from project charter through implementation.
  • Develop project scopes, timelines, action plans, and success metrics.
  • Monitor project progress and communicate status updates to stakeholders.
  • Quantify project benefits and document results.
  • Present project recommendations, outcomes, and business impacts to site leadership and the global Quality organization.
  • Work closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams.
  • Participate in project reviews, team meetings, and operational excellence discussions.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities.
  • Support training and knowledge-sharing activities related to process improvement initiatives.
  • Gain exposure to global business operations and manufacturing excellence strategies.
Desired Qualifications
  • Have coursework or experience related to statistics, data analytics, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, operations management, or quality systems.
  • Have experience using Minitab, Power BI, Tableau, JMP, R, Python, or other analytical tools.
  • Have an interest in Operational Excellence, Business Operations, Continuous Improvement, or Manufacturing Analytics.
  • Have experience leading projects, tutoring, teaching, or facilitating technical discussions.
  • Be familiar with manufacturing, quality systems, or industrial operations environments.

About the company

Momentive Performance Materials makes high-performance silicones and specialty solutions used across electronics, automotive, healthcare, energy, construction, agriculture, and consumer products. It produces and distributes silicone materials directly via an online order center and through distributors, and it helps customers locate Safety Data Sheets for its products. The company collaborates with partners on Dielectric Elastomer Actuators, devices that change size or shape in response to an electric field. Its goal is to grow its product lines and partnerships globally and pursue strategic opportunities such as the acquisition by KCC Corporation.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Seed

Total Funding

$800K

Headquarters

Niskayuna, New York

Founded

2005

Get referred to Momentive

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Jim Knaub joined as CMO on June 1, 2026, sharpening go-to-market execution.
  • Bob Waitt became CCO on April 27, 2026, strengthening global sales expansion.
  • Brenntag extended Philippines distribution in 2026, broadening Asian reach for Silquest and CoatOSil.

What critics are saying

  • Integration under KCC shifts priorities; execution slippage damages margins and customer retention through 2027.
  • Wacker, Elkem, and Dow pressure prices in silicones, especially commodity-grade lines.
  • Headcount fell to 1,282 employees in March 2026, signaling ongoing cost pressure and instability.

What makes Momentive unique

  • KCC’s 100% ownership gives Momentive patient capital and strategic alignment since May 2024.
  • Its silicone portfolio spans autos, electronics, healthcare, beauty, construction, and industrial applications.
  • Harmonie NatuVel and Silsoft Style show technical depth in naturally derived formulations.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Short Term Disability
  • Paid Time Off
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Student Debt Pay-off Program
  • Professional Development Budget
  • Wellness Program
  • Flexible Work Hours

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

1%

1 year growth

3%

2 year growth

3%
Associated Press
Jun 1st, 2026
Momentive appoints Jim Knaub as chief marketing officer

Momentive Performance Materials, a global high-performance silicones and specialty solutions company, has appointed Jim Knaub as chief marketing officer, effective 1 June. He will lead the global marketing team and oversee portfolio positioning, value proposition development, go-to-market strategy and commercial enablement. Knaub joins from Dow, bringing over 24 years of experience in leadership positions across the chemical industry, focusing on driving growth through product marketing and go-to-market strategies. Chief executive Craig Borkowski highlighted Knaub's expertise in transforming technical innovation into customer value and his collaborative approach with sales and R&D teams. Knaub holds a bachelor of science in chemical engineering from Lehigh University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.

Momentive
Jun 1st, 2026
Momentive appoints Jim Knaub as Chief Marketing Officer.

Momentive appoints Jim Knaub as Chief Marketing Officer. Jun 01, 2026 Niskayuna, New York - June 1, 2026 - Momentive Performance Materials (Momentive), a global high-performance silicones and specialty solutions company, today announced the appointment of Jim Knaub as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), effective June 1. In this role, he will lead the global marketing team and oversee the Company's portfolio positioning, value proposition development, go-to-market strategy, and commercial enablement. Jim Knaub joins Momentive from Dow, bringing more than 24 years of experience in a variety of leadership positions driving growth through strong product marketing and go-to-market leadership across the chemical industry. "We are pleased to welcome Jim to Momentive," said Craig Borkowski, Chief Executive Officer at Momentive. "His demonstrated expertise in transforming technical innovation into customer value, along with his collaborative approach with sales and R&D, will support the enhancement of our portfolio, foster growth, and strengthen our commitment to innovation." "I'm thrilled to be joining Momentive and partnering with the marketing, commercial and innovation teams to help drive profitable growth," said Jim. "This is an organization with strong technology and big opportunities, and I'm excited to bring a disciplined, market-driven approach to how we position, launch, and scale our products globally." Jim holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin. About Momentive Momentive is a premier global advanced materials company with a cutting-edge focus on silicone and specialty products. Momentive Performance Materials, Inc deliver technologies, solutions, and processes designed to propel its customer's products forward - products that have a profound impact on everyday life from dawn to dusk, and from living rooms to outer space. With every innovation, Momentive aims to create a more sustainable future. Its vast product portfolio is made up of advanced silicone solutions that play an essential role in driving performance across a multitude of industries, including agriculture, automotive, aerospace, electronics, personal care, consumer products, building and construction, and more. Momentive Performance Materials Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of KCC Corporation, is one of the world's largest producers of silicone and silicone derivatives. Additional information about Momentive and its products is available at momentive.com. Momentive is a global supplier of advanced silicones and specialty materials serving automotive, electronics, healthcare, consumer, energy, and industrial markets with solutions that improve performance, reliability, and sustainability. News and Events Contact Us

Associated Press
Apr 27th, 2026
Momentive appoints Bob Waitt as chief commercial officer to drive global growth

Momentive Performance Materials has appointed Bob Waitt as Chief Commercial Officer, effective 27th April. He will lead the company's commercial strategy, focusing on revenue growth and market expansion. Waitt joins from Elkem ASA Silicones Division, where he spent 12 years in leadership roles overseeing global sales teams and commercial operations. Previously, he served as President and CEO of Albright Technologies, a silicone moulding and medical device manufacturing company. "His extensive experience in building results-driven commercial teams and advancing sales operations will play a pivotal role as we expand our sales capabilities and drive our global growth strategy forward," said Craig Borkowski, Momentive's Chief Executive Officer. Waitt holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Boston University.

Personal Care Insights
Apr 7th, 2026
In-cosmetics Global 2026: Momentive expands natural ingredient offerings.

In-cosmetics Global 2026: Momentive expands natural ingredient offerings. Key takeaways. * Momentive will debut Harmonie NatuDerma and showcase NatuVel gel at In-cosmetics Global 2026 in Paris. * Momentive will debut Harmonie NatuDerma and showcase NatuVel gel at In-cosmetics Global 2026 in Paris. * The Harmonie portfolio highlights advanced sensory benefits and multifunctional formulation capabilities. Momentive Performance Materials will debut its Harmonie NatuDerma emollient and showcase its Harmonie NatuVel gel at In-cosmetics Global 2026, Paris, France (14-16 April). The international silicones and specialty solutions company will present additions to its beauty and personal care offerings through the expansion of its Harmonie portfolio. It also plans to discuss emerging consumer and ingredient trends. "Consumers are increasingly demanding naturally derived solutions that truly perform, and that is where the Harmonie line stands out. From our 100% biobased elastomer to the new Harmonie NatuDerma emollient, we are expanding a portfolio that bridges responsible sourcing, formulation functionality, and elevated sensory experiences," says Jose Luis Conde, global business leader of Naturals at Momentive. The company's offerings will also be featured in the In-cosmetics Sensory Zone, underlining the advanced sensorial experiences said to be provided by the ingredients on display. Sustainable solutions. With a focus on sustainability that does not compromise performance, Momentive leverages its focus on plant and mineral-based feedstocks to provide natural-origin solutions for ecologically-minded formulators. According to the company, this approach underscores the increasing demand for sustainable innovation. The Harmonie NatuDerma emollient is a fully naturally derived, vegan, non-comedogenic, long-chain branched alkane. It was developed to provide a long-wear skin moisturizing solution. Its low carbon emission production, as well as its compatibility with various raw materials, is said to make the emollient a favorable option for formulators interested in naturally-sourced, high-efficacy ingredients. Meanwhile, NatuVel gel is a 100% biobased elastomer gel and has won eight awards for its enhanced sensory experience, multifunctional performance, and adaptability across SPF, skin care, and color cosmetics formulations since its launch in 2025. "This year, we are showcasing technologies that combine sensory excellence, formulation efficiency, and strong consumer-driven benefits, enabling brands to create," says Andy Park, global business leader for Beauty & Personal Care at Momentive.

Super Bond Glue
Oct 21st, 2025
Brenntag Expands Partnership with Momentive in Asia-Pacific

Brenntag expands partnership with Momentive in asia-pacific. Brenntag has signed a new distribution agreement with Momentive Performance Materials Inc. The company's product portfolio features advanced silicone and specialty solutions that enhance performance across a wide range of industries, including building and construction, and niche sectors like specialty fluids, silanes, and additives. The new agreement covers the Philippines market and follows existing distribution partnerships in Indonesia and Vietnam. With this extension, Brenntag's Material Science CASE division will provide customers in the Philippines with access to Momentive's portfolio of advanced silicone and specialty solutions, including its CoatOSil(TM) additives for coatings and Silquest(TM) silanes, supported by Brenntag's strong market presence and formulation expertise. Santosh Satam, director, material science, CASE Asia Pacific, Brenntag Specialties said, "This expanded partnership reflects Brenntag's commitment to delivering innovation and performance to the CASE industry. By combining Momentive's cutting-edge silicone and specialty technologies with our regional network and application know-how, we are well positioned to help customers in the Philippines enhance their products and accelerate growth." Additional information about Brenntag is available at www.brenntag.com.