The Role
Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations across facilities, implement Lean and Six Sigma programs, build scalable production systems, set KPIs and dashboards, drive safety and continuous improvement, partner with engineering to industrialize processes and manage capacity planning and staffing.
Summary Generated by Built In
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, we believe that nothing great is ever accomplished alone or without the passion of people who push and motivate one another. If you share our relentless pursuit of a better future, passion for innovation, and excitement for building foundational infrastructure for a clean economy, 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:
Phoenix Tailings is looking for a highly disciplined, execution-driven Vice President of Manufacturing Operations to lead day-to-day operations across our production facilities. This role is critical to scaling clean metals manufacturing with world-class efficiency, quality, and safety. The ideal candidate is a Six Sigma Black Belt and Lean manufacturing expert who has built and optimized high-throughput industrial operations from early-stage production through commercial scale. You will own operational excellence at Phoenix Tailings, turning breakthrough technology into reliable, repeatable, and cost-competitive manufacturing.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own end-to-end manufacturing operations across Phoenix Tailings facilities, delivering consistent output, quality, and uptime
- Design, implement, and enforce Lean manufacturing systems to drive continuous improvement across safety, yield, throughput, and cost
- Lead Six Sigma initiatives to eliminate process variation, reduce waste, and improve first-pass yield
- Establish operational KPIs, dashboards, and daily management systems that drive accountability and performance
- Build scalable production systems, standard work, and operating procedures to support rapid growth and replication
- Drive a culture of operational rigor, safety, and continuous improvement across all shifts and teams
- Partner with engineering and technical teams to industrialize new processes and technologies
- Lead capacity planning, staffing models, and production ramp strategies for new and existing facilities
- Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations while maintaining aggressive production targets
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
- Six Sigma Black Belt certification required; demonstrated Lean manufacturing leadership experience
- 10+ years of manufacturing operations experience in industrial, chemical, metals, or energy environments
- Proven track record scaling production from pilot or early commercial stages to steady-state operations
- Deep expertise in Lean tools including value stream mapping, standard work, Kaizen, TPM, and 5S
- Strong data-driven mindset with experience using operational metrics to drive decision-making
- Experience leading large, multi-shift production teams in high-safety, high-reliability environments
- Demonstrated ability to drive cultural change and operational discipline in fast-growing organizations
We offer a competitive compensation package that is based on expertise. We also offer the following benefits:
- Healthcare: 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee
- Stock Options: Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company.
- Time Off: Unlimited PTO.
- Learning: Learning and development opportunities to grow your skills and career.
This pay range reflects best estimate for the total cash compensation which includes salary + discretionary bonus for this role. Total package may vary based on experience and qualifications.
Pay Range: $200,000- $250,000 total cash compensation plus equity
Skills Required
- Six Sigma Black Belt certification
- 10+ years of manufacturing operations experience in industrial, chemical, metals, or energy environments
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, or related field
- Advanced degree
- Demonstrated Lean manufacturing leadership experience
- Deep expertise in Lean tools including value stream mapping, standard work, Kaizen, TPM, and 5S
- Proven track record scaling production from pilot or early commercial stages to steady-state operations
- Experience leading large, multi-shift production teams in high-safety, high-reliability environments
- Strong data-driven mindset with experience using operational metrics and dashboards to drive decision-making
- Ability to establish operational KPIs, daily management systems, and drive cultural change toward operational discipline
- Knowledge of environmental, health, and safety regulatory compliance in manufacturing
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The Company
What We Do
Phoenix Tailings is a rare earth metals production company dedicated to restoring U.S. industrial independence by building domestic refining capacity. The company aims to redefine the industry as the first fully clean mining and metals producer, using sustainable, net-zero technology to transform mining waste (tailings) into critical rare earth metals and alloys essential for modern technology, defense, and green energy infrastructure.
