Global Supply Manager - Capex and Materials

Vulcan Elements
  • Durham, NC
    30+ days ago

    Job Description

    Vulcan Elements is manufacturing American rare-earth permanent magnets to enable a secure and resilient future. With a focus on national security and economic resilience, we serve critical industries including 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.

    As the Global Supply Manager – Capex and Materials, you will own the sourcing strategy and supplier ecosystem for both capital equipment and material procurement.  You will play a central role in scaling Vulcan's manufacturing capabilities, ensuring cost-effective, reliable, and high-quality supply aligned with production ramp timelines.

    Responsibilities

    • Develop and execute global sourcing strategies for capital equipment (Capex) and direct materials supporting rare-earth magnet production.
    • Lead procurement for major equipment packages (e.g., processing equipment, furnaces, automation systems), including RFQs, technical evaluations, and contract negotiations.
    • Partner with Engineering and Manufacturing to define specifications, evaluate suppliers, and drive design-for-cost and manufacturability improvements.
    • Negotiate pricing, contracts, lead times, and long-term supply agreements to optimize cost, quality, and delivery performance.
    • Drive supplier performance management, including KPIs for quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness.
    • Mitigate supply chain risks through dual sourcing, inventory strategies, and geopolitical awareness.
    • Collaborate with Finance on Capex planning, budgeting, and cost tracking for equipment investments.
    • Support factory ramp plans by ensuring timely delivery, installation coordination, and readiness of equipment and materials.
    • Work closely with Logistics and Operations to align inbound material flow with production schedules.
    • Implement and improve procurement processes, systems, and data visibility (ERP/MRP, supplier dashboards, cost models).
    • Maintain strong alignment with Legal on contracts, terms, and compliance requirements.

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

    Qualifications

    • Bachelor's degree in engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or a related technical field.
    • 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, supply chain, or procurement, with a strong focus on Capex and/or direct materials.
    • Proven experience sourcing and negotiating capital equipment in manufacturing environments (e.g., industrial equipment, automation, processing systems).
    • Experience in advanced manufacturing sectors such as materials, aerospace, automotive, battery, or high-volume production.
    • Strong commercial acumen and track record of successful supplier negotiations and cost reductions.
    • Ability to read and interpret technical drawings/specifications and collaborate effectively with engineering teams.
    • Experience building and managing global supplier relationships.
    • Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and procurement tools.
    • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.

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

    Numbers & Facts

    LocationDurham, NC

    Skills

    • Aerospace and Defenseunmatched
    • Analysis Skillsunmatched
    • Automationunmatched
    • Automation Systemsunmatched
    • Budget Managementunmatched
    • Business Skillsunmatched
    • Capital Equipmentunmatched
    • Capital Equipment Purchasingunmatched
    • Capital Expenditure (CAPEX)unmatched
    • Contract Negotiationunmatched
    • Cost Controlunmatched
    • Cost Modelingunmatched
    • ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)unmatched
    • Ecosystemsunmatched
    • Financial Planningunmatched
    • Legalunmatched
    • Logisticsunmatched
    • Manufacturingunmatched
    • Manufacturing Requirementsunmatched
    • Materials Managementunmatched
    • Needs Assessmentunmatched
    • Negotiation Skillsunmatched
    • Performance Metricsunmatched
    • Pricingunmatched
    • Problem Solving Skillsunmatched
    • Process Improvementunmatched
    • Procurement Managementunmatched
    • Production Planningunmatched
    • Production Scheduleunmatched
    • Production Volumeunmatched
    • Project/Program Managementunmatched
    • Purchasing/Procurementunmatched
    • Regulatory Complianceunmatched
    • Reporting Dashboardsunmatched
    • Request for Proposals (RFP)unmatched
    • Requirements Managementunmatched
    • Risk Managementunmatched
    • Sourcing Strategyunmatched
    • Supplier Optimizationunmatched
    • Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)unmatched
    • Supply Chainunmatched
    • Team Buildingunmatched
    • Team Lead/Managerunmatched
    • Technical Analysisunmatched
    • Technical Drawingunmatched
    • Time Managementunmatched
    • Vendor/Supplier Evaluationunmatched
    • Vendor/Supplier Quality Managementunmatched
    • Vendor/Supplier Relationsunmatched
    • Vendor/Supplier Sourcingunmatched

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