2.1. VP of Manufacturing

Phoenix Tailings is seeking a Vice President of Manufacturing to lead the buildout of a sustainable Rare Earth Metal production facility in Exeter, CA. The role involves overseeing operations, improving manufacturing processes, and ensuring alignment with sustainability goals. Candidates should have a degree in Engineering or related fields, with over 10 years of experience in industrial manufacturing and project management, particularly in metals or mining.
About Phoenix Tailings
Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly-growing clean mining and metals production startup dedicated to sustainable and economic critical metals production. Our mission is to be the world's first fully clean mining and metals production company, producing the resources needed for the next generation of our economy.
Why Phoenix Tailings At Phoenix Tailings, we believe that nothing great is ever accomplished alone or without the passion of people who push and motivate one another. If you are someone who shares our relentless pursuit of a better future, passion for innovation, and are excited about working with some of the top innovators in the world, then this is the place for you.
Our Values:● You are only crazy if you are wrong, it’s ok to be wrong● Lead with Compassion● Be Resourceful● Listen● Hustle
Who we are looking for: We’re seeking a hands-on Vice President of Manufacturing to lead the buildout and operational ramp-up of our sustainable Rare Earth Metal production facility in Exeter, NH. This role is critical to aligning Phoenix Tailings’ engineering and manufacturing operations with our ambitious growth plans and sustainability objectives. As the VP of Manufacturing, you will play a key role in guiding the buildout of Phoenix Tailings’ critical metals production facilities. You will work closely with EPC partners to ensure project alignment with our sustainability goals and technical requirements.

Key Responsibilities:
• Lead the end-to-end buildout of our Exeter manufacturing facility in partnership with EPC firms.
• Oversee commissioning and start-up operations to ensure rapid, cost-effective ramp-up.
• Implement and continuously improve manufacturing systems and processes for full-scale production.
• Align production capabilities with company goals for efficiency, sustainability, and throughput.
• Develop KPIs and systems to monitor productivity, quality, and cost performance.
• Provide strategic leadership for the engineering function with a strong focus on metallurgy and industrial design.
• Ensure engineering and production designs meet technical specifications and compliance standards.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate R&D outputs into manufacturable processes.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (Operations, R&D, Finance, HR) to ensure alignment and execution across the organization.
• Manage relationships with EPC firms, contractors, suppliers, and external partners.
• Oversee procurement and construction progress, ensuring milestones are achieved on schedule and within budget.
• Build and lead high-performing teams across manufacturing and engineering functions.
• Foster a culture of safety, innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Metallurgy, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in industrial-scale manufacturing and/or engineering leadership roles, preferably in metals, mining, or related heavy industry.
• Demonstrated success in facility buildouts, project execution, and production scale-up.
• Experience managing EPC partners and complex capital projects.
• Strong understanding of sustainable manufacturing and metallurgical processes is a major plus.
• Exceptional project management, leadership, and cross-functional communication skills.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, resource-constrained startup environment with high standards.

We offer a competitive compensation package that is based on expertise. We also offer the following benefits:
• Healthcare, we care about you and your family: 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Stock: Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company.
• Family Focus: Parental leave and flexibility for families.
• Time Off: Flexible vacation policy to encourage people to get out and see the world.
• Team Fun: Regularly scheduled events and celebrations.
• Learning: Learning & Development Opportunities to grow your skills and career.
• Great team: Working with fun, hard-working, kind people committed to making a difference!
• Flexible culture: We are results-focused. We don’t work at the office every day.
Phoenix Tailings is committed to empowering future leaders, and we strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply. This is your chance to make a lasting impact on the future of clean energy and metals production. At Phoenix Tailings, we have an open culture that values learning, and we are looking to grow the team with enthusiastic individuals who share our vision of sustainable mining. Phoenix Tailings, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at all levels. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information, or any other applicable protected characteristics, and these characteristics will not be a factor for consideration of any work-related decisions (including but not limited to hiring, firing, compensation, and discipline).