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Operations Continuous Improvement Manager

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Date: Nov 13, 2026

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27712

Company: Corning

Requisition Number: 79746

 

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

 

Role Purpose

Lead the team that makes our Durham manufacturing operation faster, more efficient and more competitive. In this working-manager role, you will drive Lean, Six Sigma and process discipline to improve yield, reduce costs and enable new technology and product introductions. Travel is under 5%, with standard business hours and some evening and weekend hours as projects require.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead, coach and develop the operational excellence team, assigning objectives and projects and conducting performance reviews.
  • Partner with site leadership to set and carry out short- and long-term operational excellence strategy that supports production, quality, safety and financial goals.
  • Manage process improvement, equipment and process debug, and capacity initiatives, including hands-on troubleshooting and raising bottleneck throughput by improving yield and reducing set-up time.
  • Apply Lean and define, measure, analyze, improve, control (DMAIC) methods to reduce costs, and establish standard work, daily management and performance metrics.
  • Support new product introductions, process enhancements, raw material changes and equipment modifications in line with quality, safety and process control procedures. 

Experiences/Education - Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field
  • 10+ years of manufacturing, process or operational excellence experience 
  • 3+ years of supervisory experience, either direct or matrix
  • Experience managing improvement projects, including planning, prioritization and resource conflicts
  • Availability for occasional evening and weekend hours to meet project needs

Experiences/Education - Desired

  • Experience in a manufacturing plant or division operational excellence or engineering group
  • Formal Performance Excellence training, such as Six Sigma or Lean certification
  • Experience improving throughput, yield or set-up time in a bottleneck process
  • Experience supporting new product or equipment introductions
  • Experience coaching team members in continuous improvement, problem solving and process control
  • Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma and DMAIC

 

 

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $145,578.00 - $200,170.00 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.  

 

Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one.

  • 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.
  • As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career. Combined with matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan, Corning’s total contributions to your retirement accounts can reach between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on your age and years of service.
  • Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.  
  • 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 recognition program to celebrate successes and reward colleagues who make exceptional contributions. 

 

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.


Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

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