Senior Director, Manufacturing

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Lumentum (NASDAQ: LITE) is a global leader in optical and photonic technologies that power the networks and infrastructure behind AI, cloud computing, and next-generation communications. Built on decades of photonics innovation, Lumentum delivers high-performance lasers, modules, and optical subsystems that enable scalable, energy-efficient data center connectivity, advanced telecom networks, industrial manufacturing, and sensing applications. Headquartered in San Jose, California, the company operates R&D, manufacturing, and sales facilities worldwide.

Learn more at www.lumentum.com.

Senior Director, Manufacturing

Location: Lumentum Thailand, Navanakorn – Pathum Thani

Position Summary

Lumentum is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Senior Director, Manufacturing to lead overall manufacturing operations within a high-volume, fast-paced production environment. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence across production, quality, safety, compliance, workforce capability, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring alignment with business goals, customer expectations, and organizational priorities.

The Senior Director, Manufacturing will provide strong leadership across manufacturing functions, develop high-performing teams, and drive operational performance through effective execution, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate will possess extensive manufacturing leadership experience, strong business acumen, operational expertise, and the ability to lead organizational transformation and operational scalability.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Operations Leadership

• Lead overall manufacturing operations to achieve business targets related to safety, quality, delivery, productivity, customer satisfaction, and cost performance.

• Develop and execute manufacturing strategies aligned with company objectives and operational priorities.

• Drive operational excellence and manufacturing efficiency across production functions and operational teams.

• Oversee production planning execution, capacity management, manpower planning, and operational readiness.

• Ensure effective resource allocation and optimization to support business growth and customer demand.

• Monitor manufacturing KPIs, operational performance, and productivity to drive sustainable improvements.

• Lead escalation management and ensure timely resolution of operational and production challenges.

• Partner closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, EHS, Warehouse, HR, Finance, and other cross-functional teams to support business objectives.

Leadership & Organization Development

• Lead, coach, and develop Manufacturing Managers, Production Managers, and operational leadership teams.

• Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, operational discipline, engagement, and continuous improvement.

• Drive leadership development, succession planning, talent management, and organizational capability building.

• Foster positive employee relations and maintain an inclusive, safe, and people-focused work environment.

• Lead workforce strategy and organizational planning to support operational scalability and business transformation.

• Promote strong communication, employee engagement, and leadership visibility across manufacturing operations.

Quality, Safety & Operational Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with safety regulations, EHS standards, company policies, customer requirements, and manufacturing regulations.

• Drive a strong safety-first culture across all manufacturing operations.

• Ensure manufacturing processes and operational execution comply with quality systems, operational procedures, and customer expectations.

• Lead quality improvement initiatives and support effective corrective and preventive actions.

• Support customer audits, internal audits, and external compliance assessments.

• Ensure operational readiness and compliance with manufacturing standards and regulatory requirements.

RBA, ISO & Governance Management

• Lead manufacturing compliance activities related to Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), ISO standards, labor regulations, and company governance requirements.

• Ensure manufacturing operations maintain audit readiness and strong compliance practices.

• Partner with Quality, EHS, HR, Legal, and related functions to strengthen operational governance and risk management.

• Drive accountability for SOP compliance, work instruction adherence, ethical business conduct, and workplace safety standards.

• Support corrective action management and sustainable compliance improvements across manufacturing operations.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Drive Lean Manufacturing, automation, productivity improvement, waste reduction, and cost optimization initiatives across manufacturing operations.

• Lead operational transformation and continuous improvement strategies to improve efficiency, scalability, and operational performance.

• Utilize manufacturing data, KPIs, and operational metrics to identify gaps, risks, and improvement opportunities.

• Lead structured problem-solving, root cause analysis, and operational recovery initiatives.

• Support digital transformation, process automation, and manufacturing innovation initiatives.

• Champion operational excellence methodologies including Lean, Kaizen, 5S, Six Sigma, and best manufacturing practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field. Master’s degree is preferred.

• Minimum 15+ years of manufacturing experience with at least 8–10 years in senior manufacturing leadership roles.

• Strong experience in electronics manufacturing, semiconductor, automotive, or other high-volume manufacturing environments.

• Proven track record leading large-scale manufacturing operations and high-performing operational teams.

• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, organizational development, and decision-making capability.

• Deep understanding of manufacturing operations, production systems, quality management systems, EHS, and operational compliance.

• Experience supporting RBA, ISO, customer audits, and regulatory compliance activities.

• Strong analytical, operational problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.

• Experience driving Lean Manufacturing, operational transformation, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Strong communication and executive leadership presence with ability to work effectively in a global matrix organization.

• Good command of English communication.

Preferred Competencies

• Strategic Manufacturing Leadership

• Operational Excellence & Transformation

• Organizational & Talent Development

• Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement

• Business & Financial Acumen

• Cross-functional Collaboration

• Stakeholder & Executive Management

• Data-Driven Decision Making

• Compliance & Governance Leadership

• Change Management & Organizational Agility

• Accountability & Results Orientation

Working Conditions

• Work in manufacturing and production floor environment.

• May require flexibility to support manufacturing operations, business priorities, and customer requirements.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability 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. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability 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. Please contact us to request accommodation.