Operations Leader

Advantest•San Jose, CA

About The Position

The Operations Leader is responsible for leading Mechanical Assembly and Service Center Operations supporting Advantest Interface products. This role oversees manufacturing execution, depot repair, refurbishment, logistics coordination, quality, and customer delivery performance while driving operational excellence across the organization. The leader will ensure safe, efficient, and scalable operations that meet business objectives for quality, cost, delivery, inventory management, and customer satisfaction. Working closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Customer Engineering, Product Management, and Sales teams, this individual will establish a high-performance culture focused on continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, or related technical discipline.
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, operations, service, or industrial environments.
5+ years leading managers, supervisors, and cross-functional teams.
Experience with electromechanical assembly, manufacturing operations, or service depot operations.
Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Experience managing operational metrics, budgets, and departmental performance.
Demonstrated success improving quality, productivity, and delivery performance.
Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience in semiconductor test, automated test equipment (ATE), interface products, or related high-technology industries.
Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or Lean certification.
Experience supporting global customers and field service organizations.
Familiarity with ISO quality systems and regulated manufacturing environments.
MBA or advanced technical degree.

Responsibilities

Lead daily operations of Mechanical Assembly and Service Center functions, ensuring achievement of production, quality, and delivery targets.
Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with company growth objectives and customer requirements.
Establish operational metrics and management systems to monitor performance and drive accountability.
Manage staffing, workforce planning, training, and succession planning to support business needs.
Foster a culture of safety, quality, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Direct mechanical assembly activities for Advantest Interface products and related subsystems.
Ensure production schedules are achieved while maintaining product quality and cost objectives.
Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering to optimize workflows, tooling, and assembly processes.
Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives to improve productivity, reduce waste, and increase operational efficiency.
Support New Product Introduction (NPI) and engineering change implementations.
Oversee repair, refurbishment, calibration coordination, and service activities for customer-returned equipment.
Drive turnaround time improvements and maximize asset utilization.
Establish service center processes that deliver predictable and high-quality outcomes.
Ensure customer commitments and service level agreements are consistently achieved.
Support root cause investigations and corrective actions for recurring field issues.
Champion quality systems and ensure compliance with company and industry standards.
Lead corrective and preventive action (CAPA) initiatives.
Analyze operational performance data and implement improvement plans.
Drive Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
Partner with Quality and Engineering teams to improve product reliability and manufacturability.
Work closely with Supply Chain and Procurement to ensure material availability.
Optimize inventory levels while maintaining customer delivery commitments.
Manage service inventory, spare parts availability, and repair asset tracking.
Support forecasting and capacity planning activities.
Act as a key operational partner to Customer Engineering and customer-facing teams.
Ensure rapid response to customer escalations and critical delivery requirements.
Monitor operational performance impacting customer satisfaction and implement corrective actions.
Participate in customer reviews, audits, and business discussions as required.
Develop and manage departmental budgets and operating plans.
Drive cost reduction initiatives while maintaining quality and service levels.
Monitor operational KPIs and ensure achievement of business objectives.
Support strategic planning and growth initiatives for the Interface business.