Cyclic Materials™ is building a resilient circular supply chain for rare earth elements and other critical materials. Through our proprietary MagCycle℠ and REEPure℠ processes, we recover rare earths from end-of-life products and transform them into high purity materials used in the production of permanent magnets. These materials are critical to the modern economy, including the production of electric vehicles, electronics, AI infrastructure, wind turbines, defense, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Founded in 2021, Cyclic Materials has rapidly progressed from technology development to commercialization. We currently operate facilities in Ontario and Arizona, with a new expansion underway in South Carolina. Backed by US$75 million in Series C financing led by T. Rowe Price, alongside strategic investors including Microsoft, Amazon, Hitachi Ventures, BMW i Ventures, Jaguar Land Rover’s InMotion fund, Energy Impact Partners, ArcTern Ventures, and Fifth Wall, we are scaling to meet growing global demand for a secure and sustainable rare earth supply.
We have established commercial partnerships with global industry leaders such as Solvay, Vattenfall, Lime, and VACUUMSCHMELZE, enabling the deployment of recycled rare earth materials into real world supply chains. In 2025, Cyclic Materials was named one of the Top 10 Climate Tech Companies to Watch by MIT Technology Review.
We are growing quickly and building the industrial backbone required for a circular rare earth economy. Joining Cyclic Materials means working on complex and exciting challenges at scale, alongside a team committed to executing and delivering measurable impact. If you are motivated by building critical infrastructure and advancing the circular economy, join us and help accelerate the growth of rare earth recycling.
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Operations Director to lead the development of a new, greenfield industrial facility in South Carolina from site preparation and construction through commissioning, start-up, and steady-state 24/7 operations. This role owns safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people leadership for the site, and will be the single point of accountability for plant performance.
What You’ll Do
Phase 1: Greenfield Development & Construction
- Serve as owner’s representative throughout design and build; ensure constructability, operability, safety-in-design, and maintainability are embedded in all decisions.
- Partner with Engineering, EHS, and Project Management to deliver detailed design, permitting, procurement, construction, and utilities tie-ins to scope, schedule, and budget.
- Stand up site controls: site logistics, construction safety plans, lockout/tagout boundaries, contractor management, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC).
- Build the plant operating model (org structure, roles, training roadmap, shift pattern, SOPs, maintenance strategy, spares strategy) ahead of first equipment arrival.
- Lead risk registers, HAZOP/LOPA reviews, pre-startup safety reviews (PSSR), and readiness assessments.
Phase 2: Commissioning, Start-Up & Ramp
- Lead multi-disciplinary commissioning plans, FAT/SAT acceptance, and turnover from EPC/vendors to Operations.
- Establish control room standards, start-up procedures, and run rules; set initial operating envelopes and centerlines using Hub500 operations in Kingston and Spoke 1 as the initial baseline.
- Build and run the 24/7 shift organization (operations, maintenance, lab/QA, materials handling) and manage on-call response.
- Implement training & certification (operator qualification, LOTO, confined space, powered industrial trucks, first responder/Emergency Response Team).
- Set up production accounting, quality systems, and CMMS; launch tiered daily management (Tier 1–3), visual KPIs, and escalation protocols.
Phase 3: Steady-State Operations & Optimization
- Own safety culture and performance (Zero Harm mindset) and ensure regulatory compliance with SC OSHA and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) requirements.
- Deliver production, yield, quality, and cost targets; manage budget, inventory, utilities, and site services.
- Drive reliability: preventive/predictive maintenance (PdM), root cause analysis (RCA), and reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) to maximize OEE.
- Lead continuous improvement; reduce downtime, waste, and variability; optimize throughput and energy use.
- Manage supplier performance and logistics for a 24/7 inbound/outbound operation; align with corporate supply chain and commercial teams.
- Work with Supply Chain Management, Strategic Partnerships and External Customers to optimize the feedstock and offtake and to explore new feedstock opportunities
- Represent the site with community, regulators, and company leadership; prepare clear performance reports and action plans.
- Work with Engineering and Capital Project on future site expansion projects including new Spoke facility and additional Hub 2000 expansions.
People Leadership
- Hire, coach, and develop a high-performing team; establish a positive, inclusive culture anchored in safety and accountability.
- Define staffing plans and shift schedules; ensure adequate coverage for a 24-hour operation (nights, weekends, holidays as needed).
- Conduct performance management, succession planning, and skills-matrix development; foster cross-training and advancement.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- TRIR/LTIR and leading safety indicators
- Commissioning and start-up milestones delivered to plan
- OEE, throughput, yield, and quality conformance
- Unit cost, energy intensity, and budget adherence
- Asset reliability (MTBF/MTTR) and planned maintenance compliance
- Employee engagement, retention, and training completion
What You’ll Bring
Required
- 10+ years in industrial/process manufacturing (e.g., chemicals, mining/metals, advanced materials, recycling) with 5+ years in plant leadership.
- Demonstrated success delivering greenfield/brownfield projects through construction, commissioning, and start-up into 24/7 operations.
- Deep knowledge of PSM/OSHA, EHS programs, and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC and local jurisdictions.)
- Proven people leadership across multi-shift operations, including union and non-union environments.
- Strong command of reliability, maintenance, and production systems (CMMS, LOTO, MOC, PSSR, SOPs, SPC/QA, batch/continuous processes).
- Financial acumen: budget ownership, cost control, and capex/opex prioritization.
- Ability to work on-site and respond to off-hours events in a continuous operation.
Preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, or Electrical) and a diploma or degree in Business; or an equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
- Experience in circular economy, materials recovery, hydrometallurgy/pyrometallurgy, or advanced materials processing., CMRP, Six Sigma/Lean, NFPA/HAZWOPER would be an asset.
Work Environment & Schedule
- On-site role at the South Carolina plant. This facility operates 24/7/365; availability for off-shift coverage and on-call rotation is required.
- Ability to traverse industrial areas, climb stairs/ladders, and use PPE (respirators, hearing/eye protection) as needed.
- Travel up to 30% to vendors, other sites, or corporate offices during construction and commissioning.
- Willing to do international travel to support companies’ growth into Europe and Asia
Why You Will Love Cyclic Materials
- At Cyclic Materials, we're dedicated to supporting our workforce on their unique career journey
- We offer a competitive compensation package including Health and Dental coverage, RRSP contributions and a generous paid time off program that lets you recharge
- We value diversity and are committed to maintaining a workplace where everyone is respected and recognized for their contributions
The base compensation offered is determined based on the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, and competencies and considers internal equity.
As an Equal Opportunity employer, Cyclic Materials is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all individuals have an opportunity to succeed. If you require accommodation at any stage of the interview process, please email [email protected]. Applicants for employment in the Canada and US must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States or Canada and with Cyclic Materials (i.e., H1-B visa, F-1 visa (OPT), TN, L1-A visa or any other non-immigrant status).
To all applicants, your interest and effort are sincerely appreciated. While we thank everyone for their application, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Similar Jobs
What We Do
Cyclic Materials transforms yesterday’s waste into tomorrow’s critical materials. We’re creating a circular supply chain for the rare earth elements and critical materials that power our global economy, without compromising quality or environmental impact. Our proprietary two-phase process is unlocking value from discarded waste. Our MagCycle℠ technology simplifies the separation of rare earth magnets and critical metals from end-of-life electric vehicles, consumer electronics, wind turbines, and MRIs. Then our REEPure℠ technology restores those valuable materials back to their raw form, unlocking new revenue streams for metal buyers and feedstock companies. We are the only high-tech recycling company offering a scalable, efficient, and low-carbon recycling solution that complements mining on both quality and cost, and mitigates the risks associated with extraction. Cyclic Materials is setting a high bar for sustainable resource recovery. We’ve solved the barriers to creating a circular economy for rare earths, and our transparent, data-driven approach ensures the highest standards of sustainability and traceability, including rigorous Scope 3 carbon tracking and water efficiency. With USD $83.5M in funding, including USD $53M in Series B funding backed by partners like Microsoft and BMW i Ventures, we’re scaling our recycling infrastructure across North America and Canada to meet global demand. Cyclic Materials is establishing a more resilient, domestic supply chain for rare earths and critical metals, providing opportunity and value for global industries.
