Facilities Manager

Vulcan-Elements; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Vulcan Elements seeks an experienced Facilities Manager to lead day-to-day operations of its R&D facility in Durham, NC, and help transition a new production site in Benson from construction to active operations. You will supervise building systems, vendors, safety programs, and space planning, ensuring 24/7 production readiness.

The role requires 5+ years in industrial facilities management, experience through construction/commissioning, and knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fire

Qualifications

• 5+ years of facilities management experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting a facility through construction/commissioning into operations.
• Working knowledge of building systems: HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection.
• Experience managing outside contractors and service vendors.
• Familiarity with OSHA, NFPA, and local building/fire codes.
• Comfortable operating with some ambiguity due to ongoing development.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day facility operations, including building systems, grounds, and upkeep.
• Coordinate with project team during construction/startup transitions and turnover.
• Review facility designs from operability perspective and flag concerns.
• Manage vendor/contractor relationships (HVAC, electrical, janitorial, etc.).
• Plan space, permits, inspections, and code compliance for both sites.
• Travel between R&D and Production sites as needed.

Skills

Facilities management

Vendor management

HVAC systems knowledge

Electrical & Plumbing basics

Regulatory compliance (OSHA/NFPA)

Construction/commissioning experience

Ambiguity tolerance

Job description

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 Transparency.

The Facilities Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of Vulcan Elements' R&D facility (~21,000 sq ft), a pilot-scale NdFeB magnet manufacturing space supporting near-continuous, high-uptime operations, while also supporting facility readiness and startup activities at the Production Facility currently under construction in Benson, NC. This role balances ongoing operational support at an active site with forward-looking coordination on a greenfield facility — working closely with the construction/project team to ensure a smooth transition from construction to operations and eventually taking on full facilities management responsibility at both locations.

Responsibilities

R&D Facility (Operational)

• Manage day-to-day facility operations, including building systems, grounds, and general upkeep
• Respond to and troubleshoot facility system failures, coordinating repairs with internal staff or contractors
• Manage vendor/contractor relationships (HVAC, electrical, janitorial, pest control, fire/life safety inspections, etc.)
• Coordinate with landlord for communications involving parking, outages, facility upgrades.
• Track facility-related budgets, PM contracts, and minor capital purchases
• Prioritize and sequence facility upgrade projects based on production impact, urgency, and budget, particularly to support 24/7 production plans
• Scope, budget, and manage facility improvement projects from initiation through completion, including contractor coordination and schedule tracking
• Support space planning and layout changes as R&D needs evolve
• Coordinate permits, inspections, and code compliance

Production Facility (Construction / Startup Transition)

• Serve as a facility-side point of contact during construction, coordinating with the project team (owner's rep, GC, commissioning agents) on facility-related turnover items
• Review facility systems designs (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection) from an operations/maintainability perspective and flag concerns during design/construction
• Participate in commissioning and pre-occupancy walkthroughs; track punch list items related to facility systems
• Support development of a facilities staffing/organizational plan for the production site
• Plan and stand-up facility operations at turnover: janitorial, waste management, landscaping, security, pest control, and other site services
• Support the transition from construction warranty period into steady-state operations, including tracking warranty items and contractor callbacks

Both Sites

• Manage facility security systems (badge access, cameras, alarms) in coordination with IT/Security
• Support EHS initiatives related to facility conditions (housekeeping, egress, signage, spill containment) in coordination with EHS team
• Travel between R&D and Production sites as needed

Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business

Qualifications

• 5+ years of facilities management experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment
• Experience supporting a facility through construction/commissioning into operations is a strong plus
• Working knowledge of building systems: HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection
• Experience managing outside contractors and service vendors
• Familiarity with OSHA, NFPA, and local building/fire codes
• Comfortable operating with some ambiguity, given the production site is still under development

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

Physical and Environmental Requirements

The position requires regular presence on the production floor and the ability to navigate all areas of the facility. Candidates must be able to climb stairs, stand and walk for extended periods, and work in environments that may be hot, humid, or noisy. The role also requires the use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, and adherence to all applicable safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Employees must be able to complete required fit testing, wear appropriate PPE for the duration of assigned tasks, and respond safely to changing conditions within the production environment.

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