Metal Operations Manager

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 Transparency.

As the Metal Operations Manager you are responsible for leading day-to-day metallurgical operations to safely and reliably produce on-specification metals using high-temperature and electrochemical processes, including vacuum induction melting, metallothermic reduction, and electrolysis. This role manages an operations team and works closely with engineering and R&D to ensure consistent execution, continuous improvement, and a strong safety culture. 

The ideal candidate combines hands-on metallurgical experience with disciplined operations management and a deep respect for the hazards inherent to hot metal processing. 

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

Responsibilities  

• Lead, train, and manage a team of technicians and operators conducting hot metal production. 
• Plan and execute production runs to meet quality, throughput, and schedule objectives. 
• Ensure consistent execution of startup, steady-state operation, shutdown, and turnaround activities. 
• Allocate personnel, equipment, and materials to support both production and experimental campaigns. 
• Serve as the escalation point for abnormal operations and troubleshooting. 
• Enforce safety procedures, PPE requirements, and lockout/tagout practices. 
• Lead pre-job briefings, hazard reviews, and post-run debriefs. 
• Promote a culture where unsafe conditions are identified, reported, and corrected without hesitation. 
• Contribute to the development, review, and continuous improvement of: 
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Work instructions and checklists
  • Training materials and qualification standards 

Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgy, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience. 
• Demonstrated experience managing operations in high-temperature or metallurgical environments. 
• Strong understanding of operational safety in hot metal and electrically energized systems. 
• Experience developing or maintaining SOPs and operational documentation. 
• Direct experience with one or more of the following: 
• Induction melting or vacuum furnaces 
• Metallothermic reduction 
• Electrochemical or molten salt processes 

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

Preferred 

• Experience in pilot plants, demonstration facilities, or early-stage commercial operations. 
• Familiarity with process scale-up and experimental operations. 
• Experience working under formal EHS, ISO, or regulated industrial systems. 
• Hands-on troubleshooting experience with furnaces, power supplies, and thermal systems. 

Physical and Environmental Requirements

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.