Head of US Operations

COHERENT; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 265,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent Corp. is seeking an accomplished manufacturing leader to direct multi-site operations in the U.S. and collaborate on global product transfers. The role emphasizes scalable growth, process standardization, and advanced manufacturing readiness.

The candidate will drive operational excellence, oversee production planning and supply chain alignment, and lead organizational development across sites, including Asia partnerships. A track record in ISO 9001 and Lean is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business Management required; MBA preferred.
• 15+ years of manufacturing leadership experience with multi-site responsibility.
• Experience with global operations, including Asia, strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Multi-site operational oversight across Saxonburg, Santa Rosa, and Eugene to ensure performance, standards, and execution.
• Develops and executes multi-year plans to expand production capacity and technical capability while maintaining quality and cost discipline.
• Leads Lean, automation, and digital transformation initiatives to improve throughput and competitiveness.
• Oversees planning, scheduling, inventory control, and capacity balancing to support growth and predictable delivery.
• Maintains alignment with Asia operations for global product transfers and scaling.

Skills

Large-scale leadership

Lean manufacturing

Precision machining

Optical fabrication

Executive communication

ITAR compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business Management

MBA preferred

Tools

SAP

Power BI

ERP/MES

Job description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Multi‑site operational oversight — Leads day‑to‑day and long‑range operations across Saxonburg, Santa Rosa, and Eugene, ensuring consistent performance, shared standards, and coordinated execution.

• Operational growth & scalability — Develops and executes multi‑year plans to expand both production capacity and technical capability across all U.S. sites. Ensures scalable manufacturing to support revenue growth, new product introductions, and evolving customer demand while maintaining quality, cost discipline, and technical readiness for advanced manufacturing processes.

• Technology readiness — Ensures U.S. operations maintain the equipment, processes, and technical capability required for future product roadmaps and advanced materials technologies.

• Workforce development — Builds leadership and technical talent pipelines across all U.S. sites. Ensures teams are trained, developed, and prepared for expanded capabilities and increased production volumes.

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

• Enterprise KPI ownership — Owns delivery, cost, quality, yield, and productivity metrics across all U.S. operations, ensuring performance supports business growth targets.

• Operational excellence — Leads Lean, automation, and digital transformation initiatives to improve throughput, reduce variation, and strengthen competitiveness.

• Cycle‑time and yield optimization — Directs analysis of cycle times, bottlenecks, and first‑pass yields to maximize efficiency and support scalable growth.

Production, Planning & Supply Chain Alignment

• Integrated production planning — Oversees planning, scheduling, inventory control, and capacity balancing across all U.S. sites to support growth and ensure predictable delivery.

• Site allocation strategy — Determines optimal product placement across U.S. and global sites to meet delivery, cost, and technology objectives.

Global Coordination

• Asia operations partnership — Maintains alignment with Asia operations leadership to support global product transfers, shared learning, and coordinated scaling.

• Logistics & compliance — Ensures shipments meet export guidelines, customer requirements, and global logistics standards.

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Culture & accountability — Drives a culture of operational discipline, collaboration, and high performance aligned with Coherent’s ICARE values.

• Change leadership - Leads organizational change initiatives, including digital transformation and cross‑site standardization to support scalable growth.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business Management required; MBA preferred.

• 15+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, including multi‑site responsibility.

• Experience with global operations, including Asia, strongly preferred.

Skills

• Proven leadership of large, diverse, multi‑site teams

• Strong understanding of precision machining and optical fabrication

• Excellent communication and executive‑level presentation skills

• Demonstrated success driving continuous improvement and operational transformation

• Knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 and Lean methodologies

• ERP/MES proficiency; SAP and Power BI preferred

• Must meet ITAR requirements (U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected Individual)

Working Conditions

• Fast‑paced, multi‑site manufacturing environment

• Office and shop‑floor presence required

• ~20% travel across U.S. sites; occasional international travel

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 ntegrity – Create an Environment of Trust

C ollaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

R espect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

E nthusiasm – 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!

Job Schedule: Full time

Pay Scale: 179,975-265,420