Manager, Commercial Applications

Vulcan Elements; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Vulcan Elements, based in the United States, seeks a Manager, Commercial Applications to lead customer engagement and qualification from first contact to long-term partnerships. You will coordinate technical and commercial requirements across internal teams and ensure a seamless customer experience from quote to contract.

This cross-functional role demands commercial and technical fluency, translating market needs into actionable inputs for operations, product development, and leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• 7+ years of experience in engineering, technical sales, business development, or customer program management.
• Proven ability to manage complex programs with technical deliverables (samples, testing, qualification).
• Strong communication and relationship management across technical and executive audiences.
• Demonstrated experience working cross-functionally with operations, R&D, and quality teams.

Responsibilities

• Own the full commercial pipeline including quotes, sampling, qualification, and transition to production.
• Serve as the primary point-of-contact for customers—building relationships, coordinating site visits, and ensuring timely communication throughout engagement.
• Translate customer requirements and feedback into clear technical and operational inputs for internal teams.
• Work closely with operations, R&D, and quality to ensure all testing and qualification milestones are met.
• Lead the quotation process, ensuring pricing and terms align with company strategy and cost structure.
• Partner with operations to align production schedules, sample delivery, and customer timelines.
• Maintain accurate records of customer status, technical progress, and commercial forecasts in CRM and internal reporting systems.
• Support the Commercial team in gathering competitive intelligence and identifying market opportunities.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship management

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical fluency

CRM experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, business, or related field

Tools

CRM software

Project management tools

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 Manager, Commercial Applications will lead Vulcan Element’s customer engagement and qualification pipeline—from first contact through long-term partnership. This role is responsible for managing customer relationships, coordinating technical and commercial requirements across internal teams, and ensuring a seamless customer experience from quote to contract.

You will serve as the voice of the customer across the organization - translating market and customer needs into actionable input for operations, product development, and leadership. This is a highly cross-functional role requiring both commercial and technical fluency.

Responsibilities

• Customer Pipeline Management: Own the full commercial pipeline including quotes, sampling, qualification, and transition to production.
• Customer Engagement: Serve as the primary point-of-contact for customers—building relationships, coordinating site visits, and ensuring timely communication throughout all stages of engagement.
• Voice of the Customer: Translate customer requirements and feedback into clear technical and operational inputs for internal teams.
• Qualification Coordination: Work closely with operations, R&D, and quality teams to ensure all customer testing and qualification milestones are met.
• Quoting and Commercial Support: Lead the quotation process, ensuring pricing and terms align with company strategy and cost structure.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with operations to align production schedules, sample delivery, and customer timelines.
• CRM and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of customer status, technical progress, and commercial forecasts in CRM and internal reporting systems.
• Market Awareness: Support the Commercial team in gathering competitive intelligence and identifying emerging customer or market opportunities.

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

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, materials science, business, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in engineering, technical sales, business development, or customer program management - preferably in advanced manufacturing, materials, or automotive/aerospace sectors.
• Proven ability to manage complex programs with technical deliverables (e.g., samples, testing, or qualification).
• Strong communication and relationship management skills across technical and executive audiences.
• Demonstrated experience working cross-functionally with operations, R&D, and quality teams.

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

Desired Skills

• Experience in rare‑earth materials, magnetics, or related advanced materials markets.
• MBA preferred.
• Familiarity with defense or aerospace procurement processes.
• Technical aptitude in magnet design, materials processing, mechanical engineering, or component manufacturing.
• Experience building and maintaining CRM pipelines and customer reporting systems.

Why Join Vulcan Elements

You’ll play a key role in rebuilding America’s rare‑earth magnet supply chain - supporting national security, economic resilience, and industrial leadership. As part of a fast‑growing team, you’ll have the opportunity to directly influence both customer success and company growth.