Operations Manager, Sr

Coherent Corp.•Mount Olive, NJ

92d

About The Position

The Senior Manager of Operations for Coherent’s Advanced Crystal Growth Division will lead all aspects of production, planning, supply chain shipping/receiving, purchasing, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role ensures operational excellence, efficiency, and alignment with strategic objectives in a technically sophisticated manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will be a seasoned operations leader with a proven ability to drive process optimization, foster collaboration across cross-functional teams, and deliver results in a fast-paced, precision-driven environment.

Requirements

Experience with laser manufacturing and with lean manufacturing principles is required
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or related field; MBA or advanced technical degree preferred.
12+ years of relevant operations or manufacturing experience, preferably in advanced materials, semiconductors, optics, or related high-tech industries.
7+ years of proven managerial and leadership experience in multi-functional operations environments.
Leader in the creation of manufacturing processes that achieve exceptional product quality, on-time delivery and productivity gains.
Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Proven ability to influence outcomes and drive alignment at senior and executive levels.

Nice To Haves

Self-managed work team and customer service experience desired.
Oracle and Agile business suite experience also desired.

Responsibilities

Oversee end-to-end operations including production, materials planning, procurement, logistics, and inventory management for the division.
Ensure operational targets for output, quality, cost, and delivery are consistently achieved or exceeded.
Develop and execute production strategies that align with long-term business goals and customer commitments.
Drive operational scalability to support growth in advanced materials and crystal technologies.
Partner with senior and executive leadership to translate strategic objectives into actionable operational plans.
Direct capacity planning, scheduling, and resource allocation to optimize throughput and meet demand forecasts.
Partner with engineering and project management teams to support new product introductions and design changes.
Establish and maintain performance metrics to drive accountability and operational transparency.
Lead global and domestic sourcing strategies for raw materials and critical components.
Optimize supplier relationships for cost, quality, and reliability.
Work in collaboration with Finance to optimize inventory levels, working capital, and cost management.
Champion a culture of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement (CI) through data-driven problem solving.
Implement initiatives to enhance productivity, eliminate waste, and streamline workflows.
Implement AI-driven solutions to improve production scheduling, demand planning, inventory management, and supply chain visibility.
Provide mentorship and direction to a multidisciplinary team of operations professionals and supervisors.
Foster a high-performance culture emphasizing safety, accountability, and professional growth.
Regularly interact with senior management, executives, and customers on cross-functional and strategic initiatives.
Navigate sensitive situations with professionalism and influence, gaining alignment without compromising relationships.