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Senior Manager, Machining Operations

VULCAN ELEMENTS · Benson, NC · On-site

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About VULCAN ELEMENTS

Manufacturing rare earth magnets for a secure, resilient future. Backed by Space Capital.

About the role

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.

What they're looking for

  • Own machining process startup end to end — from equipment specification review and factory acceptance testing through installation, site acceptance, commissioning, process qualification and rate ramp
  • Lead first-article inspection, process capability studies and Cpk qualification for each machining, grinding, coating and finishing operation before it is released to production
  • Partner with the Manufacturing Engineering team to establish coolant, handling, tooling and abrasive management systems from scratch, including the consumable strategy and vendor relationships behind them
  • Define the lot flow, WIP staging and buffer strategy through the area in partnership with Production Controls, and confirm it physically during construction rather than after turnover
  • Drive the ramp from first qualified part to full rate across nine production lines, sequencing capability build against the equipment delivery and line startup schedule
  • Define technician roles and the progression path across stations — CNC machining, grinding, coating, tumbling, packaging and inspection — including the skill blocks that govern advancement
More about this role

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.

This leader is hired before the machining equipment is installed and is accountable for building the organization, qualifying the process, and running it once it starts. That means owning equipment commissioning and process qualification from early engagement in the factory acceptance testing through first article and capability sign-off; designing the shift model, cell structure and technician progression; writing the training and onboarding programs that qualify every operator on the floor; and then owning safety, OEE, quality and the operating budget in steady state.

Responsibilities

Startup, Commissioning and Process Qualification

  • Own machining process startup end to end — from equipment specification review and factory acceptance testing through installation, site acceptance,...

Read the full posting on VULCAN ELEMENTS's site ↗

Commercial Operations

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