Operations Manager

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Position Summary:

Advanced Thin Films (ATF) develops and manufactures high-performance optical components for advanced laser applications. The Lasercom Operations Manager, serves as a key strategic leader responsible for driving operational excellence across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and inventory performance within the Lasercom business line. This role provides forward-looking operational leadership, ensures scalable processes, and strengthens the organization’s capability to meet evolving customer and market demands.

As a senior member of the leadership team, the Lasercom Operations Manager leads cross-functional teams, champions continuous improvement, and builds long-term operational maturity to support ATF’s strategic objectives and high-performance growth culture.

The Lasercom Team at ATF is entering a period of significant growth. The ideal candidate will have experience supporting rapid organizational expansion and building manufacturing lines and teams to meet increasing demand. This person will be energized by the opportunity to contribute to the team’s scaling efforts and will be passionate about driving growth for both the team and the company.

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Safety Leadership:

• Serve as the primary safety advocate for the Lasercom business line.
• Establish and oversee proactive safety programs, ensuring a culture of responsibility and compliance.
• Sponsor and lead sitewide safety improvement initiatives aligned with corporate and regulatory requirements.
• Quality:
• Create and execute a strategic quality vision that meets and exceeds customer expectations.
• Build sustainable processes and organizational structure to support quality improvements across all manufacturing stages.
• Own customer quality scorecards, ensuring transparency, rigor, and accountability.
• Oversee quality control systems, auditing processes, and adherence to business line quality standards.
• Production Leadership and Management:

o Develop and execute production strategies aligned with business objectives, customer demand, and capacity considerations.

o Drive seamless coordination across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and shipping and receiving.

o Lead and mentor production supervisors and supply chain specialists, promoting strong performance and collaboration.

o Champion flawless integration of new products and processes into full-scale production.

o Establish and maintain clear operational KPIs, ensuring data-driven decision making.

o Build and maintain a robust pipeline of productivity and operational excellence initiatives.

• Forecasting and Capacity Planning:

• Partner closely with the Site Leader and Finance Leader to perform monthly and quarterly production forecasting.
• Analyze demand signals and operational constraints to proactively adjust capacity.
• Position the business line for scalable and reliable delivery performance as market demands evolve.
• Continuous Improvement:
• Lead process improvement strategies and capability-building initiatives.
• Implement best practices across manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and engineering interfaces.
• Drive cost-reduction efforts, efficiency improvements, and throughput enhancements.
• Customer Relations:
• Develop and maintain strong strategic relationships with key Lasercom customers.
• Quickly address customer needs, concerns, and feedback while ensuring timely and quality-focused responses.
• Represent operations in customer reviews, audits, and program discussions.
• People Leadership and Development:
• Assess talent capabilities, identify skill gaps, and promote targeted development programs.
• Partner with the training manager and production supervisors to build a highly skilled, agile workforce.
• Foster a culture of accountability, empowerment, and continuous learning.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the Site Leader or designee.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Experience in high volume production environments.
• Experience in scaling production lines to achieve step functional production targets.
• Expertise with ERP systems and data-driven operational management.
• Proven leadership experience managing diverse technical teams.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in fast-paced, highly technical manufacturing environments.
• Highly self-motivated, team-oriented, and capable of influencing across organizational levels.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

· Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Operations, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).

· 5+ years in manufacturing or process engineering.

· 5+ years leading operational or technical teams, including direct leadership responsibility.

· Experience supporting high-volume or precision manufacturing operations.

· Strong background in process development, industrialization, and continuous improvement/Lean manufacturing.

· Familiarity with optical manufacturing, coatings, or other precision-engineering processes strongly preferred.

· Experience working cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering.

· Experience in a Lean manufacturing environment

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in both office and manufacturing environments, including production areas and cleanrooms.
• Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, and movement throughout the facility to oversee operations, engage with employees, and monitor production activities.
• Regular use of computers, standard office equipment, and communication devices for reporting, analysis, and operational management.
• Occasional bending, stooping, reaching, and lifting or carrying materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Requires visual acuity to review production data, technical documentation, and manufacturing processes.
• Exposure to manufacturing equipment, machinery, noise, and other typical industrial conditions while following established safety procedures.
• Requires wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses and cleanroom attire, as applicable.
• May require occasional schedule flexibility to support production needs, operational issues, or activities outside normal business hours.

Requirements:

Certain positions with IDEX Corporation and its business units require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations or the Export Administration Regulations. Applicants for these positions may need to be "U.S. Persons," as defined in these regulations. Generally, a "U.S. Person" is a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or an individual who has been granted refugee or asylum status.

Are you ready to join a different kind of company where our people, our culture, and our commitments are centered around providing trusted solutions that improve lives around the world?

Total Rewards

Benefits Package

Our comprehensive U.S. benefit offerings include: Health benefits, 401(k) retirement savings program with company match, PTO, and more. More information on our benefits and rewards can be found on our career page: https://www.idexcorp.com/careers/our-benefits-and-rewards/

IDEX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IDEX gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other consideration or protected category made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.

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