Operations Department Head
Apply now »Date: Aug 7, 2025
Location: Winston-Salem, NC, US, 31520
Company: Corning
Requisition Number: 70080
The company built on breakthroughs.
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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.
Role Purpose
Responsible for leading and managing production operations at the Winston-Salem cable facility. This role will have direct responsibility and accountability for safety, quality, cost, delivery, and team morale. This position includes both direct and indirect reports along with dotted line reporting through various functional groups.
Key Responsibilities:
- Drive results through manufacturing performance and deliver monthly production metrics (be able to quickly identify bottlenecks, work through changes in staffing, and optimize labor productivity).
- Manage the department budget while understanding critical cost drivers (using overtime as a lever where needed, while also understanding the trigger point to hire).
- Work with the product team to gain alignment between plant capacity and customer demand; use this alignment to drive inputs to the monthly SIOP process.
- Partner with planning and scheduling resources to ensure department OTM (on time to manufacture) and OTP (on time to promise) metrics are satisfied. Manage large product/process changeovers, equipment upgrades, experiments with engineering, and required maintenance activities.
- Serve as the operational receiver for major equipment upgrades and department specific new product introductions. Champion change while continuing to meet monthly production targets.
- Drive operational improvements through partnership with the lean group at Winston-Salem. Use this partnership to improve bottleneck processes and drive critical OEE improvements.
- Provide leadership and direct supervision to both direct reports and indirect manufacturing teams. Hold the department accountable to clear metrics centered around improving safety and quality performance.
- Deploy Corning’s talent management programs within the department to effectively attract, develop, and maintain manufacturing talent, ensures that all salaried employees have training and development plans.
- Interact and be able to effectively communicate the department’s vision and long term goals with senior leaders both within the organization and cross-functionally.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor of Science (technical or business degree preferred).
- Minimum of 7 years experience in manufacturing with proven track record of leadership progression.
- Direct people management experience (for both salaried and non-exempt employees).
- Demonstrated people leadership skills of conflict resolution, coaching, active listening, and employee effectiveness.
- Experience and accountability for developing, implementing, and driving results through critical manufacturing metrics (including safety, quality, cost, delivery, and morale).
- Certified Six Sigma DMAIC Green Belt and/or demonstrated Lean capabilities.
- Experience managing the talent development strategy for the department, including programs to attract, develop, and retain key talent.
Desired:
- MBA or advanced technical graduate degree
- Experience and competence of innovation and new product development and delivery; has participated or led a project team responsible to develop and/or launch a new product into manufacturing.
- Has participated or led a cross-functional team in manufacturing environment responsible to deliver key improvement initiative or cost reduction program.
- Experience in collaborating, interfacing, and communicating upward and outward.
This position does not support immigration sponsorship.
The range for this position is $118,428.00 - $162,839.00 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.
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.
Nearest Major Market: Brunswick