Director of Manufacturing Operations

Coherent Corp.; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent Corp. in Delaware seeks a Director of Manufacturing Operations to lead a high‑performing site, delivering safe, reliable, and cost‑effective production execution with disciplined planning, WIP control, and continuous improvement.

The role requires coordinating with Engineering, Quality, EHS, Purchasing, Finance, Sales, and Product Management to translate customer requirements into executable plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required; Mechanical or Chemical Engineering preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in manufacturing or operations leadership.
• Required: demonstrated Lean leadership and continuous-improvement results in productivity, yield, quality, cost, delivery, or flow.
• Required: experience establishing or improving production planning, scheduling, WIP control, and shop-floor flow.
• Preferred: experience managing a unionized workforce.
• Preferred: experience in advanced materials, ceramics, semiconductor components, or other complex industrial manufacturing.
• Preferred: experience implementing or significantly improving an ERP or manufacturing execution system.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily manufacturing execution across the Delaware site with hands-on presence at all levels.
• Direct and develop the Production Manager, Planner/Scheduler, Maintenance Manager, and Special Projects Manager.
• Set operating expectations, establish performance routines, remove barriers, and drive accountability.
• Maintain focus on high-value priorities and avoid crisis-driven models.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Quality, EHS, Purchasing, Finance, Supply Chain, HR, Sales, and Product Management."
• Establish reliable planning and scheduling aligned with commitments, capacity, and material constraints.
• Improve visibility of WIP and production flow; drive throughput and lead-time improvements.
• Partner with Purchasing/Supply Chain to ensure material availability without excess inventory.
• Own operational quality and ensure containment and corrective actions.
• Lead Lean and continuous-improvement initiatives to boost productivity, yield, and cost efficiency.
• Collaborate with EHS to sustain safe work practices and audits.

Skills

Hands-on leadership

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Discipline and prioritization

Strong communication

Ability to work across shifts

ITAR compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

ERP experience

Manufacturing execution system

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Director of Manufacturing Operations provides hands-on operational leadership for the Delaware manufacturing site. The role is accountable for safe, reliable, and cost-effective execution of the production plan; disciplined planning and scheduling; WIP flow; productivity and yield improvement; operational quality; maintenance and facilities coordination; and development of a high-performing Operations organization. The Director works across the business to translate customer and strategic requirements into executable operating plans and measurable results.

Job Summary

The Director of Manufacturing Operations provides hands-on operational leadership for the Delaware manufacturing site. The role is accountable for safe, reliable, and cost-effective execution of the production plan; disciplined planning and scheduling; WIP flow; productivity and yield improvement; operational quality; maintenance and facilities coordination; and development of a high-performing Operations organization. The Director works across the business to translate customer and strategic requirements into executable operating plans and measurable results.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead daily manufacturing execution across the Delaware site, maintaining a visible and hands-on presence with employees and leaders at all levels.
• Direct and develop the Production Manager, Planner/Scheduler, Maintenance Manager, and Special Projects Manager. The Production Manager leads three Shift Supervisors.
• Set clear operating expectations, establish performance routines, remove barriers, and hold leaders accountable for results and behaviors.
• Maintain focus on the highest-value priorities while resisting a crisis-driven operating model.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Quality, EHS, Purchasing, Finance, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Sales, and Product Management to resolve issues and execute site priorities.

Planning Scheduling and Flow

• Establish and maintain a reliable planning and scheduling process aligned with customer commitments, available capacity, material availability, staffing, and equipment constraints.
• Improve visibility and control of WIP, production flow, supermarkets, constraints, and recovery plans through the Planner/Scheduler and operating reviews.
• Use data to identify bottlenecks, improve throughput, reduce lead time, and support fact-based decisions on priorities and resources.
• Partner with Purchasing and Supply Chain to ensure material availability supports the production plan without creating unnecessary inventory or disruption.

Quality Safety and Continuous Improvement

• Own operational quality performance by building quality into processes, reinforcing standards, and ensuring timely containment and effective corrective action.
• Partner with Quality to maintain applicable certifications and management systems, prepare for audits, and strengthen process discipline and change control.
• Lead a culture in which employees identify problems, elevate concerns early, follow standard work, and take ownership of the process and outcome.
• Lead Lean and continuous-improvement activity that produces measurable gains in productivity, yield, quality, cost, delivery, and flow.
• Partner with EHS to establish safe work practices, address hazards, reinforce accountability, and achieve strong site safety performance.

People Labor and Culture

• Build a high-performing Operations team through selection, onboarding, coaching, development, recognition, and fair, consistent performance management.
• Develop and coach supervisors and other leaders to manage through facts, engage employees, and sustain improvements across shifts.
• Maintain a constructive day-to-day relationship with the Teamsters workforce and support Human Resources in contract administration, grievances, and future negotiations.
• Promote the company values of Integrity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Enthusiasm through personal example and consistent leadership.

Financial Capital and Customer Support

• Manage Operations performance and cost control within the budget established by the GM, using data to identify savings opportunities and improve labor, material, equipment, and operating effectiveness.
• Develop the initial site capital plan and business cases for automation and other investments. Drive approved projects to completion on schedule and within budget.
• Support Sales as the primary operational partner for customer escalations, visits, delivery discussions, and technical or manufacturing topics. Sales remains the primary customer interface.
• Provide concise, timely, and fact-based operating updates to the Sr. Director of Global Operations and leadership team.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required; Mechanical or Chemical Engineering preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in manufacturing or operations leadership.
• Required: demonstrated Lean leadership and continuous-improvement results in productivity, yield, quality, cost, delivery, or flow.
• Required: experience establishing or improving production planning, scheduling, WIP control, and shop-floor flow.
• Preferred: experience managing a unionized workforce.
• Preferred: experience in advanced materials, ceramics, semiconductor components, precision fabrication, or other complex industrial manufacturing.
• Preferred: experience implementing or significantly improving an ERP or manufacturing execution system.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through others, develop teams, resolve problems, and sustain accountability in a changing environment.

Skills

• Hands-on, visible, and self-motivated leadership style with a strong sense of urgency and ownership.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and fact-based decision-making skills.
• Ability to establish priorities, execute with discipline, and convert strategy into practical operating routines.
• Ability to influence across functions and the organization and work effectively with technical, commercial, and corporate partners.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively with employees and leaders across shifts and levels of the organization.
• Due to ITAR compliance, this position requires candidates to be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident Alien, or Protected Individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Working Conditions

Regular work in a manufacturing environment is expected, including time on the production floor. The position requires the ability to sit, stand, bend, squat, and walk throughout the facility and to occasionally lift, push, or pull up to 10 pounds. Up to 20% domestic and international travel may be required as business needs dictate.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality And Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

I Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

C Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

A Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

R Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

E Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!