Sr. Analytical Manager
vulcanelementsBenson (NC)
About the 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 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 CommissioningLead 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 LeadershipServe 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 controlled change and periodic review.
Own the laboratory calibration and measurement-management system, including equipment qualification, calibration and verification requirements, reference standards, metrological traceability, equipment status, and response to out-of-tolerance conditions.
Establish and maintain appropriate Measurement System Analysis practices, including Gage R&R, bias, linearity, stability, and other capability studies required to demonstrate reliable measurement relative to product and process requirements.
LIMS, Laboratory Systems and Data IntegrityLead the configuration and implementation of the laboratory LIMS, including sample workflows, test plans, specifications, approval paths, result reporting, equipment interfaces, traceability, and retention requirements.
Establish controlled laboratory procedures for sample receipt, identification, prioritization, preparation, testing, review, disposition, and reporting, aligned with ISO-based laboratory and quality-system practices.
Drive appropriate instrument integration and automation to improve data integrity, reduce manual transcription, increase throughput, and connect laboratory information effectively with plant quality and manufacturing systems.
Laboratory Operations, Team and ProductivityBuild and lead the Benson laboratory organization, including workforce planning, recruiting, training, technician qualification, competency assessment, work standards, and technical development.
Own day-to-day laboratory performance, including sample prioritization, technician scheduling, equipment loading, testing queues, turnaround time, and escalation of constraints that could affect production or product release.
Develop laboratory capacity and staffing models based on sample demand, testing frequency, method cycle time, equipment availability, technician loading, and future production growth; use these models to identify resource and capital requirements.
Optimize technician productivity, instrument utilizatio
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