Plant Superintendent

MRC Recruiting; Duncan (OK); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Opportunity to build facility

Fast-paced culture

Job summary

MRC Recruiting is assisting an industrial technology client in Oklahoma to recruit a Plant Superintendent to lead the development, commissioning, and day‑to‑day operation of a new facility. This full‑time, on‑site role carries full accountability for safety, production, cost, and people, with hands‑on leadership on the plant floor.

The successful candidate will build a safety‑first culture, manage a growing hourly workforce, drive continuous improvement, ensure compliance with HSE standards, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or hands‑on plant processing experience.
• 5+ years in chemical, mineral processing, or related operations.
• 3+ years in a supervisory role in plant operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in line with a safety‑first culture.
• Ensure compliance with all HSE standards and regulations.
• Lead demonstration plant operations, equipment selection, installation, commissioning, and safe ramp‑up.
• Manage daily plant operations to hit production, quality, recovery and efficiency goals.
• Lead a team of hourly operators, set schedules, conduct performance reviews.
• Identify and roll out continuous improvement initiatives to optimize plant performance.

Skills

Leadership

Safety

Regulatory compliance

Project management

Troubleshooting

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering (Chemical/Metallurgical/Mechanical) or hands-on plant processing experience

Job description

Our client is an industrial technology company turning end-of-life magnets into a domestic source of critical materials, cutting the country's reliance on overseas supply. Backed by serious investment, they're standing up a first-of-its-kind plant from the ground up, and need an experienced, hands-on leader to run it.

As Plant Superintendent, you'll lead the development, commissioning, and day-to-day operation of the facility. This is a full-time, exempt, on-site leadership role with full accountability for safety, production, cost, and people, and real involvement in shaping how the plant runs as it scales. The right person leads with a safety-first mindset, shows up on the floor, and can balance daily delivery with building toward what comes next.

What You’ll Do

• Provide leadership in line with a safety-first culture.
• Ensure compliance with all HSE standards, procedures, and federal, state, and local regulations.
• Play an active, hands-on role in managing demonstration plant operations and facility development, supporting equipment selection, installation, commissioning, and the safe ramp-up from demonstration scale to full production.
• Lead daily plant operations to hit production, quality, recovery, and efficiency goals, while maintaining strong process control, risk management, and operational discipline.
• Lead a team of hourly operators, set schedules, conduct performance reviews, and build a well-trained, motivated workforce, growing the team from a handful of operators to a 24/7 rotation as the plant scales.
• Identify and roll out continuous improvement initiatives to optimize plant performance, throughput, and reagent consumption.

What You Bring

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required. Chemical, Metallurgical, and Mechanical backgrounds all work; what matters most is hands‑on plant processing experience.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in chemical, mineral processing, manufacturing, oil and gas, or petrochemical operations, including at least 3 years in a supervisory role in plant operations.
• Proven success leading teams in a production or plant environment, including engaging, motivating, and holding hourly staff accountable.
• Strong understanding of safety systems, plant operations, process control, and cost management.
• Working knowledge of project management principles and hands‑on troubleshooting ability.
• Direct experience with critical minerals or rare earth processing is a plus, not a requirement.

Key Skills

• Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent administrative, organizational, and supervisory skills.
• Valid driver’s license.

Additional Requirements

• Able to regularly lift moderately heavy objects (50 lbs, occasionally up to 75 lbs), climb ladders and stairs, and stand for extended periods.
• Comfortable working safely in and around strong permanent magnets and magnetic fields (individuals with pacemakers, implanted medical devices, or related conditions should consult occupational health first).
• Legally eligible to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship, now or in the future.

Why Join

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Health benefits package, with full benefits details shared during the interview process.
• The chance to help build a first‑of‑its‑kind facility in a strategically vital U.S. industry.
• A fast‑moving, collaborative, high‑performing, safety‑first team culture.

A Note on Fit

We understand no candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we’ve identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we’d love to learn more about you!