Manufacturing Innovation Effectiveness Manager

Requisition Number: 70375

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.

🌟 Job Opportunity: Manufacturing Innovation Effectiveness Manager 

📍 Location: Concord, NC 🏢 Division: Corning Optical Fiber and Cable (OFC) – Division Engineering

Are you a seasoned engineering professional with a passion for innovation and operational excellence? Corning Optical Fiber and Cable is seeking a dynamic Manufacturing Innovation Effectiveness Manager to drive transformative solutions across our innovation programs. This is a high-impact role where you'll collaborate across Commercial, Technology, and Manufacturing teams to shape the future of fiber optics.

🔧 Scope of Position

As a strategic partner in innovation, you will:

• Identify and execute creative solutions for resourcing business-critical engineering projects.

• Guide planning and decision-making to establish successful manufacturing solutions.

• Engage early in the innovation lifecycle to influence program direction and ensure operational readiness.

• Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to align on program hypotheses, business cases, and execution plans.

🧠 Key Responsibilities

• Serve as an equal partner with Commercial & Technology teams to build shared understanding and drive program success.

• Interpret manufacturing needs across low and high-volume phases, influencing priorities to ensure scalable, viable operations.

• Ensure product and process designs meet performance targets in Quality, Cost, Capacity, and Safety.

• Define and deliver operational readiness across sites, including systems for material and information flow.

• Lead start-up, pilot, and scale-up plans that adapt to evolving customer demands and product generations.

• Ensure compliance with Achieving Manufacturing Excellence Level 1 criteria.

• Leverage innovation frameworks (MIE playbook, PQA, NPI) and participate in the MIE community of practice.

✈️ Travel & Schedule

• Up to 25% domestic travel, with occasional international assignments.

• Flexibility required for extended project-based travel and non-standard work hours.

🎓 Qualifications

Education:

• B.S. or M.S. in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical/Controls, Materials, or equivalent)

Experience:

• 10+ years in a manufacturing setting

• Minimum 5 years in fiber manufacturing

Required Skills:

• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills

• Mastery of engineering fundamentals and manufacturing problem-solving

• Proven leadership and project management capabilities

• High motivation, customer focus, and results orientation

• Advanced data analysis skills (Excel, Access)

• Innovative thinker and team-oriented decision-maker

Preferred:

B.S. or M.S. in Engineering Chemical

• 15+ years of progressive manufacturing engineering experience

• Operations leadership with order fulfillment accountability

• Experience in innovation deployment and technology transfer

• Familiarity with systems like PQA, PEx, MEE, KT, Lean, and SHE assessments

• Ability to manage complex, multi-stream projects on time and within budget

🌐 Why Join Us?

At Corning, you’ll be part of a team that’s redefining what’s possible in fiber optics. You’ll work on cutting-edge technologies, contribute to meaningful innovation, and help shape the future of global connectivity.

Ready to engineer the future? Apply now and bring your expertise to a team that thrives on innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.  

The range for this position is $169,173.00 - $232,613.00 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. The benefits available for this position are dependent on hours worked and may include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, pension plan, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, and PTO.

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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, and career from day one

• As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit that grows throughout your career.  We also offer a 401(k) savings plan with company matching contributions.  
• Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, and disease management programs. 
• 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.     
• 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 peer-to-peer recognition program to celebrate success by recognizing colleagues who demonstrate above-and-beyond behaviors.  

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.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To request an accommodation, please contact us at accommodations@corning.com.