Team Manager

Team Manager in a plant production environment.

Who we are:

We are on a mission to become the leading Western supplier of high value rare earth magnets and critical minerals through a supply chain that supports the future state of energy, mobility, and national security. Our dynamic solution solves key domestic rare earth production challenges through optimizing margins, enhancing efficiency, minimizing costs and mitigating technical challenges.

Our early mover advantage positions us to become the first vertically integrated ex-China rare earth supply chain through substantial interest in the Round Top heavy rare earth, lithium and critical minerals deposit in West Texas, a rare earth separation facility with proven extraction methods, and development of the United States’ first rare earth and critical minerals production facility, with scalable production capability. By developing this fully integrated, US-based “mine-to-magnet” critical mineral supply chain, we are poised to become the leading Western supplier.

What you can expect:

At USA Rare Earth, we are pioneers and problem solvers, technologists and team players. Together, we:

Build Solutions: If our task was a simple one, it would already be done. We are creative and solution-oriented, and we think outside the box to solve important problems. We know that a range of expertise and technologies is needed for success, and we work across sectors and alongside customers to deliver world-class solutions in sustainable ways.

Deliver Quality: When we do things, we do them well. We believe that top-tier quality leads to industry competitiveness and we hold ourselves to the highest quality standards. We move fast when executing, while keeping safety, quality and excellence at the forefront in everything we do.

Lead responsibly: We have a responsibility to the planet, our consumers, our country, and each other. We put safety at the center of all we do, take accountability for our actions, incorporate sustainable practices in our processes and act with the financial best interest of our investors and consumers in mind.

Win Together: Establishing a rare earth magnet supply chain is a big undertaking – and getting there is a team effort. We communicate openly, work together and challenge each other in pursuit of our goals. With every step we take we learn and get better.

Position Overview: The Team Manager oversees daily production activities within an assigned area of the rare earth magnet manufacturing plant. This role is responsible for leading Operators I–IV, maintaining safe and efficient operations, ensuring product quality, coordinating staffing, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives. The Team Supervisor works closely with engineering, maintenance, quality, and logistics teams to meet production goals and uphold operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Workforce Management

• Supervise, coach, and evaluate Operators I–IV, fostering a culture of safety, quality, and accountability.
• Assign daily tasks, balance staffing across workstations, and manage shift scheduling.
• Conduct training and onboarding for new operators; coordinate skills development for all levels.
• Provide real-time performance feedback and participate in formal performance reviews.

Production Oversight

• Ensure production plans, work orders, and schedules are executed efficiently to meet output targets.
• Monitor machine load, workflow, and operator utilization; adjust assignments as needed.
• Provide hands-on assistance with complex operations, setups, or troubleshooting when required.
• Coordinate with logistics for materials availability and inventory accuracy.

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce all plant safety rules, PPE requirements, and safe handling of rare earth materials, powders, and magnets.
• Conduct daily safety huddles and ensure adherence to LOTO, chemical handling, and equipment safety procedures.
• Lead incident investigations and corrective actions in partnership with EHS.
• Ensure processes comply with ISO/AS quality and environmental standards.

Quality & Process Control

• Monitor in-process inspections, quality checks, and SPC data to ensure conformance to specifications.
• Review and verify production documentation, batch records, and traceability logs.
• Respond to quality deviations, containment actions, and root-cause investigations.
• Support engineering and quality teams with trials, first-article builds, and process qualifications.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies; drive improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, or TPM tools.
• Lead 5S initiatives and maintain workplace organization.
• Recommend process, equipment, or workflow enhancements based on production data and operator feedback.
• Support the deployment of new equipment, tooling, and technologies.

Administrative & Reporting

• Maintain accurate production records, downtime logs, and shift reports.
• Track KPI performance including yield, throughput, scrap, and OEE.
• Report staffing issues, training needs, and equipment concerns to management.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings to support plant-wide initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to motivate and develop diverse operator teams.
• Solid understanding of rare earth magnet manufacturing processes (powder handling, pressing, sintering, machining, coating).
• Skilled in problem-solving, troubleshooting, and decision-making in fast-paced environments.
• Proven ability to manage workflow, prioritize tasks, and maintain high standards of quality and safety.
• Proficient with manufacturing documentation, ERP systems, SPC tools, and basic Microsoft Office applications.

Minimum Requirements:

• Experience Level: 5 years manufacturing experience along with 2 years in a leadership or Operator 3 role

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, move, sit, carry, bend, kneel, reach, push, pull, lift, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel and talk and hear. May be required to lift and move boxes or packages not exceeding 40 pounds in weight. Some work stress inherent to the position and extended work hours may be required.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required of personnel so classified. The reporting relationship may not reflect the most recent changes to the corporate

USA Rare Earth proudly supports Equal Employment Opportunities

USA Rare Earth's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and will provide reasonable accommodations according to applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.