Plant Operations Director — Lean, Safe & High-Impact

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

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.