Senior Manager, Metallization Operations

Vulcan Elements is manufacturing American rare-earth permanent magnets for a secure, resilient future. With a focus on national security and economic resiliency, we serve critical industries such as defense, aerospace, and automotive powering a high-technology future. Vulcan Elements is building a team of ambitious professionals committed to Mission Focus, Technical Excellence and Integrity. 

This leader is hired before the metallization equipment is installed and is accountable for building the organization, shaping the operating design, commissioning and qualifying the process, and running it once it starts. The role will define the shift and staffing model, recruit and develop the operating team, provide hands-on operability input during design and equipment acceptance, lead startup from first metal through rate ramp, and then own safety, throughput, yield and recovery, quality, equipment performance and operating cost in steady state. 

This role begins in Durham, NC and is expected to move to Benson, NC upon completion of new facility. 

• →Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or a related technical discipline. 
• →Eight or more years in metallurgical, chemical/process or heavy industrial manufacturing, including five or more years leading production teams in a continuous or multi-shift operating environment. 
• →Strong technical foundation in high-temperature metallurgical or process operations, with the ability to understand process chemistry, thermal and electrical systems, material and yield balances, process controls and the drivers of operating variation. 
• →Demonstrated ownership of greenfield or major-expansion commissioning and process qualification - from design and equipment acceptance through installation, startup, operating stabilization and rate ramp. 
• →Demonstrated ability to build and develop an operations organization, including workforce planning, hiring, technical training, operator qualification, standard work and frontline supervisor development. 
• →Strong command of manufacturing quality systems and structured problem solving, including root-cause analysis, process capability/statistical control, KPI development and corrective action. 
• →Direct accountability for safety and environmental performance in a heavy industrial or process environment, including LOTO, high-temperature hazards, electrical safety, chemical/gas handling and operating compliance. 
• →Operating budget ownership with demonstrated cost control, and experience partnering with engineering teams on capital projects, automation or significant equipment upgrades. 

Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities. 

The position requires regular presence on the production floor and the ability to navigate all areas of the facility. Candidates must be able to climb stairs, stand and walk for extended periods, and work in environments that may be hot, humid, or noisy. The role also requires the use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, and adherence to all applicable safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Employees must be able to complete required fit testing, wear appropriate PPE for the duration of assigned tasks, and respond safely to changing conditions within the production environment.