Sr. Analytical Manager

The posting, as Vulcan Elements wrote it

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 Integrity.

This role has end-to-end responsibility for developing the Benson laboratory into a fully operational commercial capability, including laboratory commissioning, analytical instrumentation and metrology, SOPs and controlled test methods, LIMS configuration, staffing and technician qualification, calibration systems, quality controls, capacity planning, and laboratory productivity. The manager will serve as the technical and operational leader for analytical testing, materials characterization, and product measurement at the Benson facility.

Working closely with Vulcan's R&D and pilot laboratory leadership, this individual will implement and optimize analytical methodologies for reliable, repeatable, and efficient use in commercial manufacturing. The ideal candidate combines advanced expertise in analytical chemistry and inorganic materials characterization with demonstrated experience establishing and operating a disciplined, high-performing industrial laboratory.

Responsibilities

Laboratory Establishment and Commissioning

• Lead the establishment and commissioning of the Benson analytical laboratory, defining the capabilities required to support raw materials, in-process testing, product characterization, qualification, and final product release.
• Lead technical specification, procurement, installation, commissioning, qualification, and calibration of analytical and metrology equipment; work directly with OEMs and internal engineering teams to ensure equipment is capable and production-ready.
• Develop and execute laboratory readiness plans covering instrumentation, standards and consumables, procedures, LIMS workflows, staffing, training, calibration, maintenance, and contingency capability in alignment with the manufacturing startup schedule.

Analytical Methods, Metrology and Technical Leadership

• Serve as the technical authority for analytical testing, materials characterization, and product metrology within the Benson laboratory, establishing standards for analytical quality, measurement integrity, and technical execution.
• Partner closely with R&D and pilot laboratory leadership on analytical methodology and specialized technical issues; implement methods at Benson with the SOPs, sample-preparation practices, standards, controls, training, and equipment configurations required for consistent commercial execution.
• Ensure methods are fit for their intended use with appropriate controls for accuracy, precision, repeatability, reproducibility, robustness, detection capability, and measurement uncertainty; maintain methods through control

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t uncertainty, MSA, calibration systems, reference standards, and laboratory quality practices.

• Demonstrated ability to lead laboratory personnel, manage budgets and suppliers, balance competing testing priorities, and improve laboratory throughput, utilization, turnaround time, and cost.

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience establishing or commissioning a new commercial or industrial analytical laboratory.
• Experience implementing or configuring a LIMS and integrating laboratory instruments or data workflows with manufacturing quality systems.
• Experience with rare earth materials, specialty metals, powder metallurgy, permanent magnets, magnetic property characterization, or related advanced inorganic materials.
• Experience supporting automotive or similarly controlled manufacturing environments, including IATF 16949, PPAP, MSA, SPC, and control plans; familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 10012 principles.

Laboratory Safety and PPE Requirements

This role requires strict adherence to all laboratory safety protocols and regulatory guidelines. Employees must consistently wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including lab coats, safety glasses, gloves, and any additional gear required for specific materials or processes. The position involves working around equipment and procedures that present cut hazards and other physical risks associated with slicing, grinding, and tumbling operations. Team members must follow all established safety rules, use tools and machinery only as trained, and maintain awareness of mechanical pinch points, sharp components, and moving parts.

Employees are expected to maintain a clean and compliant work area, promptly report any unsafe conditions, and complete all required safety training. A strong commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant laboratory environment is essential for success in this role.