Head of Factory Deployment Management Office (FDMO)

The Lumber Manufactory (TLM) is building the future of sustainable lumber with next-generation sawmill technology. We design and operate state-of-the-art modular sawmills that produce high-grade dimensional wood products with greater efficiency and less waste. Backed by leading investors including Cantos, Slow Ventures, Susa Ventures, Banter Capital, Humba Ventures, and Ravelin Capital.

The Lumber Manufactory (TLM) is seeking a Head of Factory Deployment Management Office (FDMO) to establish and scale our facility deployment function. This role will build the systems, processes, and the team needed to successfully launch new manufacturing sites across the country as we expand our sustainable sawmill operations.

In this role you will initially operate as a senior Factory Deployment Lead, owning the execution of TLM’s early facility launches while establishing the foundational processes, playbooks, and standards that will scale across future deployments. As these systems mature and deployment volume increases, you will transition into building and leading a team of Deployment Leads who will replicate your approach across multiple sites.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who wants to define how things should work by doing the work first, then codify what works and build a team around it.

What You'll Build

Establish the Deployment Function

Create standardized deployment methodologies, playbooks, and tools that can scale across multiple simultaneous projects

Define roles, responsibilities, and handoff points across Engineering, Construction, Procurement, Production, and external partners

Build reporting frameworks and KPIs to track deployment health, identify risks early, and drive continuous improvement

Document what works capturing lessons learned, best practices, and key decisions to inform repeatable processes

Lead Early Deployments

Own end-to-end execution of TLM's initial facility launches, serving as the onsite leader during critical phases

Establish and maintain project critical paths, ensuring clear sequencing of construction, utilities, equipment installation, and commissioning

Build strong relationships with contractors, utilities, inspectors, and local stakeholders to navigate permitting, inspections, and community coordination

Coordinate across internal teams to align timelines, resolve dependencies, and keep projects moving forward

Build and Develop the Team

Hire and mentor Factory Deployment Leads who will own day-to-day execution of future sites

Create career development pathways and training programs for the deployment team

Foster a culture of ownership, problem-solving, and operational excellence

Scale the Organization

Capture lessons learned from each deployment and integrate improvements into standard processes

Prepare the organization to manage multiple concurrent facility launches efficiently

Partner with leadership to inform site selection, design standards, and deployment strategy

How You Are Measured

Deploy factories and ensure they are operationally ready on schedule and within budget.

Implement a continuous improvement loop to refine deployment efficiency and reduce startup variability across sites - provide feedback to Engineering and Factory Execution to ensure that future factory designs are optimized to meet TLM's deployment speed, cost, and operating objectives.

Who You Are

Experienced operator who thrives in early-stage, high-growth environments where you define the path forward

Natural leader who earns trust quickly with both internal teams and external partners

Passionate about rebuilding America's industrial base through sustainable manufacturing

Comfortable moving between strategic planning and hands-on field execution

Energized by solving complex, ambiguous problems with practical solutions

Willing to travel extensively and spend significant time onsite during active deployments

Qualifications

10+ years of experience in industrial facility deployment, infrastructure development, large-scale construction, or manufacturing expansion

Experience managing ground-up industrial or manufacturing facility construction, including contractor oversight, schedule management, factory build-out, machine commissioning, and ensuring facilities are production ready

Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects from planning through commissioning

Proven ability to build, lead, and scale high-performing teams

Experience managing contractors, vendors, inspectors, and site stakeholders in an active field environment

Demonstrated ownership of project schedules, budgets, and coordinating cross-functional teams

Working knowledge of construction sequencing, site logistics, safety practices, inspections, and utility coordination

Ability to operate in a field-based role with frequent travel and extended onsite presence

Nice to Have

Experience working with utilities, permitting authorities, or AHJs

OSHA 30, PMP, or similar safety or project management certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Construction Manager (CCM®) credential preferred

Location & Travel

This is a field-based leadership position requiring extensive travel and extended onsite presence during active deployment phases, particularly during TLM's initial facility launches.

Compensation
The expected annual base salary for this position starts at $175,000. Our compensation and benefits package includes comprehensive health coverage, life insurance, and flexible time off. The applicable annual base salary paid to a successful applicant will be determined based on multiple factors, including but not limited to the nature and extent of prior experience and educational background.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including:

100% employer-paid health coverage for employees and dependents (medical, dental, and vision)

100% employer-paid life insurance and disability coverage

Paid time off and company holidays

The opportunity to help build something from the ground up in an essential, evolving industry

Join our team as we modernize timber from forest to finished product.

The Lumber Manufactory is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive team. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.