Director of Manufacturing

CSG Talent is partnering with an innovative critical minerals technology company developing a portfolio of products designed to increase lithium production, improve recovery and make brine operations more efficient.

The business is now looking for a Director of Manufacturing to take its technologies from prototype and early field deployment into repeatable, cost effective commercial production.

It is a build and scale role covering technology platforms including electronics manufacturing, digital site monitoring and lithium extraction.

The Director of Manufacturing will create the manufacturing strategy, supplier network and quality systems needed to scale each platform successfully.

The Role

Working between product development teams in the US, manufacturing partners in China and field operations in South America, you will lead the complete transition from prototype to commercial production.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing a clear manufacturing and scale up strategy for all technology platforms.
• Creating product specific manufacturing plans for physical hardware, sensor and electronics systems, and modular fluid process equipment.
• Leading the transition from prototype and pilot builds into repeatable commercial production.
• Reviewing existing prototype to production workflows and identifying technical, quality, cost and supply chain risks.
• Embedding design-for-manufacture and design-for-assembly principles into the product development process.
• Working with engineering teams to improve product durability, modularity, field installation and maintainability.
• Building and managing relationships with contract manufacturers and component suppliers in China.
• Establishing bills of materials, product cost models and cost-reduction programs.
• Developing appropriate sourcing strategies for coated and fabricated components, sensors, electronics, fluid-handling equipment and other critical parts.
• Implementing QA/QC frameworks, supplier qualification processes, manufacturing documentation and product acceptance standards.
• Ensuring products can operate reliably in remote, chemically demanding and environmentally challenging locations.
• Supporting deployments in South America and resolving manufacturing or product reliability issues identified in the field.
• Translating field performance and customer feedback into practical design and manufacturing improvements.
• Building a global manufacturing network capable of supporting multiple international deployments.
• Balancing cost, quality, lead time and speed to market across a varied product portfolio.
• Contributing directly to the company's commercial and profitability roadmap.

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate is likely to bring:

• At least five years of manufacturing or product industrialization leadership experience.
• A proven track record of taking complex technologies from prototype or pilot stage into repeatable commercial production.
• Experience working across more than one product discipline, ideally involving industrial hardware, process equipment, electronics, sensors, IoT systems or cleantech products.
• Strong experience managing Chinese contract manufacturers and international supply chains.
• Practical knowledge of new product introduction, design for manufacture, process engineering and cost optimization.
• Experience building supplier quality, QA/QC and audit processes from an early stage.
• An understanding of mechanical, electrical and fluid handling systems.
• Experience with equipment operating in chemical, mining, water treatment or other demanding industrial environments would be advantageous.
• The ability to work effectively across engineering, operations, software, supply chain and commercial teams.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to coordinate teams and suppliers across several continents.
• A bachelor's or master's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering or a related discipline.
• The flexibility to travel regularly to China and South America.

Chinese-language or Spanish skills would be advantageous but are not essential. An MBA would also be beneficial.