3.1 Plant Director
Phoenix Tailings
Exeter, NH, USA
Posted on Jun 22, 2025
About Phoenix Tailings
Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly-growing clean mining and metals production startup dedicated to sustainable and economic critical metals production. Our mission is to be the world's first fully clean mining and metals production company, producing the resources needed for the next generation of our economy.
Why Phoenix Tailings
At Phoenix Tailings, we believe that nothing great is ever accomplished alone or without the passion of people who push and motivate one another. If you are someone who shares our relentless pursuit of a better future, passion for innovation, and are excited about working with some of the top innovators in the world, then this is the place for you.
Our Values:
● You are only crazy if you are wrong, it’s ok to be wrong
● Lead with Compassion
● Be Resourceful
● Listen
● Hustle
Who We Are Looking For:
Phoenix Tailings is looking for a driven and experienced Plant Director to lead operations at our Exeter, NH facility. This individual will play a critical role in standing up new production lines, driving operational excellence, and scaling a first-of-its-kind clean metals facility. If you thrive in fast-paced environments, are excited by the opportunity to build, lead, and optimize advanced manufacturing systems, and want to shape the future of critical metals production in the U.S., we want to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead daily operations of the Exeter facility to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable production of critical metals
- Drive the setup and commissioning of new production lines from the ground up, including layout planning, equipment installation, and process validation
- Optimize plant operations for throughput, yield, and energy efficiency while maintaining strict environmental and safety standards
- Own and improve key production metrics including uptime, cycle time, and cost per unit
- Identify and solve bottlenecks in production systems with a hands-on, data-driven approach
- Coordinate with engineering, supply chain, and R&D teams to ensure seamless scale-up of new processes
- Implement lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives across all plant operations
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing operations team as the facility scales
Qualifications:
- 10+ years experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 5 years in a plant leadership or production management role
- Proven experience standing up and commissioning new production lines, including working with industrial equipment vendors and contractors
- Strong knowledge of process manufacturing systems (chemical, materials, or similar heavy industry experience preferred)
- Demonstrated success driving performance improvements through KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives
- Deep understanding of safety, environmental compliance, and quality assurance in a production setting
- Comfortable working in a startup or scale-up environment — you take initiative, adapt quickly, and thrive under pressure
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, industrial management, or a related field
Exceptional project management skills, with experience managing complex, multidisciplinary initiatives. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to diverse audiences.
- Healthcare, we care about you and your family: 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Stock: Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company.
- Family Focus: Parental leave and flexibility for families.
- Time Off: Flexible vacation policy to encourage people to get out and see the world.
- Team Fun: Regularly scheduled events, and celebrations.
- Learning: Learning and development Opportunities to grow your skills and career.
- Great team: Working with fun, hard-working, kind people committed to making a difference!
- Flexible culture: We are results-focused. We don’t work at the office every day.
At Phoenix Tailings, we have an open culture that values learning, and we are looking to grow the team with enthusiastic individuals who share our vision of sustainable mining.
Phoenix Tailings, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at all levels. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information, or any other applicable protected characteristics, and these characteristics will not be a factor for consideration of any work-related decisions (including but not limited to hiring, firing, compensation, and discipline).
