Sr. Director of Business Operations
Coherent · Santa Clara, CA
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Production
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level production role at Coherent (industrial) in Santa Clara, CA. A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome.
- They ask for
- 10+ years
- Tools it names
- Casting, EHS / safety
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Production Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $134k–$180k.
Median of the low and high ends of 64 live postings that list pay, out of 147 production engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 146 other live production postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 6+)
Typical $121k–$174k, from 50 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 6+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- New product launch 37%
- Lean 30%
- Root cause 28%
- Team leadership 25%
- Automation 24%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at Coherent
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Coherent in Santa Clara
2 other open roles at this site.
- Manufacturing Engineer · Manufacturing
- Optical Assembly Technician · Manufacturing · Technician
Full description from CoherentAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Education & Experience
- ✓BS in Business Operations, Product Operations, Product Management, PLM, Engineering Operations, or related functions.
- ✓10+ years of experience in optical data transmission or similar technological fields
- ✓5+ years of experience in a leadership role managing teams, business operations, portfolio governance, or cross-functional programs.
- ✓Demonstrated experience leading monthly/quarterly business reviews, annual operating plans, forecasting, and executive reporting.
- ✓Strong experience working across Product Management, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Finance, and Commercial organizations.
Requirements
- ✓Sitting for extended periods while working on a computer or conducting meetings
- ✓Use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling documents.
- ✓Occasional lifting of objects or materials up to 20 pounds for administrative tasks.
- ✓Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
- ✓Mobility within the office environment to attend meetings or interact with colleagues.
Safety
Requirements
All employees are required to attend scheduled training, follow the site EHS procedures and Corporate EHS standards. This includes the use of proper protective equipment (PPE) as required by the job responsibilities.
Managers will ensure that all safety and environmental procedures are followed consistently. They will ensure that risk assessments are performed, proper training, work instructions, required PPE is available, and will monitor compliance.
Quality and Environmental
Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and
responsibilities
within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
I ntegrity – Create an Environment of Trust
C ollaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
R espect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
E nthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Manage a team that is tasked to
- •Lead monthly and quarterly business reviews
- •Track revenue, bookings, backlog, forecast, gross margin, material, delivery, and capacity metrics
- •Coordinate annual operating plans and quarterly forecasts
- •Consolidate business-unit inputs into executive reporting
- •Identify risks, gaps, and required decisions
- •Manage follow-up on cross-functional commitments
- •Support pricing, demand, supply, and allocation decisions
- •Prepare management presentations and decision materials
- •Maintain KPI definitions, reporting accuracy, and operating dashboards
- •Serve as the central coordination point between commercial and operational organizations
Skills
- •Must be excellent at summarizing and explaining complex business situations.
- •Must be comfortable speaking and reporting to executive management
- •Data analytical skills are essential, as are familiarity with Excel, Power Point, and AI tools
Working Conditions
- •This position is onsite, with hybrid accommodations as necessary
- •Will require travel to other Coherent locations, especially to China, Malaysia, and Vietnam
- •Regular use of a computer and other office equipment is necessary
- •Interaction with team members and external contacts is a regular part of the job
- •May require occasional overtime and flexibility in work hours to accommodate the executive’s needs
Physical
