Technical Capabilities Manager

Corning; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 98,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonuses

401(k) matching 4%

Company-paid pension

Job summary

Corning is seeking a Manufacturing Talent Program Leader in Wilmington, NC, to design, implement, and sustain a comprehensive technical training program for the plant workforce. The role ensures safe, efficient, and reliable maintenance and improvement of plant equipment and processes.

The position partners with internal and external stakeholders to assess skill gaps, develop curricula, and drive continuous capability aligned with plant goals. Strong leadership and PM skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a technical or manufacturing environment.
• Experience designing and delivering technical training programs.
• Proven leadership experience.
• Project management experience.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and results-oriented.
• Ability to work effectively in a matrixed organization.
• Strong decision-making skills with minimal supervision.
• Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
• Proven ability to build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external customers.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a structured technical training curriculum across all plant departments
• Develop and standardize training materials and delivery methods for entry-level, intermediate, and advanced technical skill levels
• Define technical competency standards and certification requirements for plant roles
• Support subject matter experts (SMEs) in the delivery of specialized technical training
• Manage systems and tools used for technical training, including implementation of new solutions as needed
• Provide regular communication and updates to leadership and key stakeholders
• Drive technical talent progression and career development pathways
• Leverage advanced tools (e.g., Manufacturing 4.0) to identify technical gaps and support technician development programs
• Lead cross-functional teams to develop and execute department training improvement plans and initiatives
• Document processes and implement change management systems to support ongoing updates and improvements
• Build and sustain continuous improvement plans and collaborate with other Corning locations

Skills

Technical training design

Leadership

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Matrix organization

Decision making

Confidential information handling

Relationship building

Education

BS in Engineering or equivalent

Job description

Requisition Number: 74171

The company built on breakthroughs.
Join us.

Corning is one of the world’s leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what’s possible.

How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations – not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company, and the world, forward.

At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more.

Come break through with us.

Our Optical Communications segment has recently evolved from being a manufacturer of optical fiber and cable, hardware and equipment to being a comprehensive provider of industry-leading optical solutions across the broader communications industry. This segment is classified into two main product groupings – carrier network and enterprise network. The carrier network product group consists primarily of products and solutions for optical-based communications infrastructure for services such as video, data and voice communications. The enterprise network product group consists primarily of optical-based communication networks sold to businesses, governments and individuals for their own use.

Role Purpose

The Manufacturing Talent Program Leader is responsible for designing, implementing, and sustaining a comprehensive technical training program for technical resources across the Wilmington Plant. This role ensures the workforce has the skills, knowledge, and competencies required to safely, efficiently, and reliably maintain and improve plant equipment and processes.

This position partners with internal and external stakeholders to assess technical skill gaps, develop standardized training curricula, and drive continuous technical capability development aligned with plant performance goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement a structured technical training curriculum across all plant departments
• Develop and standardize training materials and delivery methods for entry-level, intermediate, and advanced technical skill levels
• Define technical competency standards and certification requirements for plant roles
• Support subject matter experts (SMEs) in the delivery of specialized technical training
• Manage systems and tools used for technical training, including implementation of new solutions as needed
• Provide regular communication and updates to leadership and key stakeholders
• Drive technical talent progression and career development pathways
• Leverage advanced tools (e.g., Manufacturing 4.0) to identify technical gaps and support technician development programs
• Lead cross-functional teams to develop and execute department training improvement plans and initiatives
• Document processes and implement change management systems to support ongoing updates and improvements
• Build and sustain continuous improvement plans and collaborate with other Corning locations

Work Schedule

• Monday–Friday
• This position is salaried and not eligible for overtime pay
• Overtime may be required at times based on business needs

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or equivalent preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a technical or manufacturing environment

Required Skills

• Demonstrated experience designing and/or delivering technical training programs
• Proven leadership experience
• Project management experience
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• Self-motivated, proactive, and results-oriented
• Ability to work effectively in a matrixed organization
• Strong decision-making skills with minimal supervision
• Ability to handle confidential information appropriately
• Proven ability to build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external customers

Desired Skills

• Experience collaborating, interfacing, and communicating across multiple functions
• Ability to lead teams without direct authority
• Strong process and equipment knowledge
• Prior manufacturing experience
• Previous shift leadership experience
• PEx Green Belt training or certification

This role offers an opportunity to make a significant impact on workforce capability and operational excellence at the Wilmington Plant.

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $97,542.00 - $134,121.00 assuming full time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.

A job that shapes a life.

Corning offers you the total package.

Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one.

• Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well. When Corning wins, we all win.
• As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career. Combined with matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan, Corning’s total contributions to your retirement accounts can reach between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on your age and years of service.
• Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.
• Getting paid for our work is important, but feeling appreciated and recognized for those contributions motivates us much more. That’s why Corning offers a recognition program to celebrate successes and reward colleagues who make exceptional contributions.

Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one.

• Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well. When Corning wins, we all win.
• As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, Corning provides company matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan of up to 4% of pay when you contribute at least 6% of pay.
• Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.

We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status.

Corning is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and considers requests for reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access other benefits and privileges of employment. To submit a request for reasonable accommodation related to disability or religion, please contact us at .