Manufacturing Strategy Manager

Requisition Number: 76283

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.  

Corning’s businesses are ever-evolving to best serve our customers, industries, and consumers. Today, we accelerate and transform life sciences, mobile consumer electronics, optical communications, display, automotive, and solar markets. We are changing the world with: 

• Trusted products that accelerate drug discovery, development, and delivery to save lives
• Damage-resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connected
• Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at the speed of light
• Precision glass for advanced displays to deliver richer experiences 
• Auto glass and ceramics to drive cleaner, safer, and smarter transportation 
• Solar polysilicon, wafers, and innovative photovoltaic modules, enabling low-cost solar energy solutions

*This position can be performed remotely. 

Shape the manufacturing strategy behind the next phase of growth

Advanced Optics is entering a pivotal phase of growth and transformation. With plans to double revenue over the next four years and a clear path to even greater scale beyond that, the business is rethinking its manufacturing system to support faster growth, stronger margins, greater agility, improved resilience, and lasting competitive advantage.

We are seeking a Director of Manufacturing Strategy to lead that effort.

This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for defining how Advanced Optics manufactures in the future—where we manufacture, which capabilities we invest in, what we partner externally, and how we build the most scalable, cost-competitive, and resilient manufacturing network for the business.

This is not a program management role. It is a strategic leadership role at the center of some of the business’s most important decisions.

The Opportunity:

The Director of Manufacturing Strategy will lead the design of Advanced Optics’ manufacturing system over a 3–5 year horizon, translating business strategy into a clear roadmap across:

• Manufacturing footprint and network design
• Make-versus-buy strategy and external partnerships
• Capacity planning and capital deployment
• Structural cost transformation and gross margin expansion
• Long-range manufacturing capability development

This role operates at the intersection of operations, finance, engineering, supply chain, and commercial strategy and will serve as a key thought partner to the Advanced Optics leadership team. It also leads a small team of two and is especially well suited for a leader who can operate effectively in a highly matrixed environment.

Required Qualifications:

• 10–15+ years of combined experience in manufacturing strategy, operations strategy, supply chain strategy, industrial transformation, or related fields
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field
• MBA or master’s degree highly preferred
• Experience working in a highly matrixed organization, with demonstrated success influencing across functions, priorities, and leadership levels
• Experience in a growing business or division where manufacturing strategy needed to evolve to support scale, competitiveness, and stronger operational performance
• Experience helping a growing, low-volume, high-complexity business build a more scalable, competitive, and operationally excellent manufacturing model
• Experience in one or more of the following:
• Global manufacturing footprint design
• Capacity strategy and capital planning
• Make-versus-buy and sourcing strategy
• Complex, high-mix or high-complexity manufacturing environments
• Strong financial modeling and business case development skills, including experience with capital analysis and return metrics such as NPV and ROIC
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive cross-functional decisions
• Ability to bring structure and clarity to complex, ambiguous problems

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $189,165.00 - $260,102.00 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.  

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 accommodations@corning.com.