Job Summary: This role is a senior leadership role responsible for driving strategic planning, operational execution, business performance, and cross-functional alignment across the global Communications Business Group (BG), especially with Sales, Procurement and Manufacturing. As a strategic advisor and operational architect to EVP of Communications BG, the Sr. Director of Business Planning & Operations will own the end-to-end planning and execution framework for Communications BG. This role drives Integrated Business Planning, demand forecasting, capacity optimization, and operational excellence across all regions. The role will translate market signals into actionable capacity and financial plans, align cross-functional global teams, and ensure the BG operates with agility, efficiency, and profitability at scale.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
1. Strategic Business Planning & IBP Leadership
- Architect and lead the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) process, ensuring absolute alignment between the communications BG’s strategic roadmap, financial targets, and operational execution.
- Partner with BU leaders to translate long-term corporate vision into actionable annual and quarterly business plans, long-range forecasts, and strategic growth initiatives across the global BG
- Lead scenario planning, risk modeling, and strategic resource allocation to balance growth targets with capacity constraints and capital efficiency
2. Global Demand & Capacity Orchestration
- Oversee the end-to-end global demand sensing and capacity planning lifecycle, balancing dynamic market signals with supply constraints to optimize revenue, margin, and inventory health.
- Collaborate closely with Global Supply Chain and Manufacturing leaders to secure strategic capacity, mitigate supply risks, and ensure the agility to meet customer commitments in a fast-paced high-tech environment.
- Lead cross-functional efforts to resolve demand-supply mismatches, ensuring seamless end-to-end execution from order capture to final delivery.
3. Digital Transformation & AI-Driven Decision Making
- Champion the independent and full utilization of our global Oracle ERP ecosystem, leveraging its embedded AI/ML forecasting and predictive analytics to drive operational autonomy and elevate planning maturity and decision speed.
- Foster a data-centric culture by building and leading a high-performing team of planners and analysts who leverage advanced analytics to uncover deep insights into market trends, product lifecycles, and operational bottlenecks.
- Spearhead the continuous evolution of planning workflows by AI-driven analytics, establishing a technologically advanced operational ecosystem that secures the communications BG's competitive edge in business innovation
4. Operational Excellence & Customer Success
- Drive the communications BG towards world-class operational maturity by implementing continuous improvement frameworks and standardizing global processes to maximize efficiency and agility.
- Champion a customer-centric operational culture, ensuring that supply chain reliability, product quality, and on-time delivery consistently exceed customer expectations and drive profit growth.
- Establish and monitor key operational metrics to proactively identify bottlenecks, mitigate risks, and enhance overall customer satisfaction.
Education & Experience
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related technical field is required. An MBA or master’s degree from a top-tier institution is highly preferred.
- Professional Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in Business Planning, Operations, or Supply Chain within the global High-Tech, Semiconductor, or Hardware industry, with a proven track record of managing operations in a global, matrixed organization.
- 5+ years in a senior executive capacity, leading global teams and operational strategy in complex, matrixed environments. Requires deep expertise in financial management, spanning P&L oversight, budgeting, scenario modeling, ROI/Capex analysis, and working capital optimization.
- System Expertise: Extensive hands-on experience with enterprise-level ERP systems (Oracle Fusion Cloud preferred) and advanced planning tools.
Skills & Other Requirements
- Strategic Leadership & Execution: Exceptional ability to think conceptually and translate high-level corporate strategies into actionable, results-driven operational plans. Proven track record of operating strategically while maintaining a hands-on approach to execution.
- Organizational Influence & Change Management: Demonstrated expertise in leading large-scale organizational initiatives and change management across multiple business units, geographies, and HR partners. Ability to navigate complex matrixed organizations, influencing stakeholders and establishing relationships as a trusted advisor.
- Project Management & Implementation: Highly motivated and success-driven with exceptional project management skills. Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects and roll out global solutions (including employee experience or operational platforms) from concept and planning through to implementation and results measurement.
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills: A natural team player with a strong, open, and direct leadership style. Operates with transparency and integrity, free of personal agendas. Possesses outstanding written and verbal communication skills, alongside strong negotiation and conflict resolution capabilities.
- Analytical Skills: Strong capability in data-driven decision-making, including financial modeling, scenario planning, and interpreting complex operational metrics
Key Competencies
- Strategic Vision: Ability to anticipate market trends and translate corporate strategy into actionable operational roadmaps.
- Change Leadership: Proven ability to lead organizational change, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and drive digital transformation initiatives.
- Financial Acumen: Deep understanding of financial principles, including P&L management, budgeting, ROI/Capex analysis, and working capital optimization.
- Collaborative Influence: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust, influence without authority, and align diverse stakeholders across Sales, Product, Finance, and Supply Chain.
- Problem Solving: A proactive and analytical approach to identifying operational bottlenecks and implementing scalable, world-class solutions.
Working Conditions
- Office Environment: This position primarily operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers.
- Remote & Hybrid Work: As per company policy, this role may involve a hybrid work model, requiring the ability to effectively manage remote teams and utilize digital collaboration platforms.
- Work Schedule: Standard business hours, though the nature of a global executive role requires flexibility to attend early morning or late evening meetings to coordinate with international teams (EMEA/APAC).
- Up to 30% travel may be required to visit global offices, manufacturing sites, and key stakeholders.
Physical Requirements
May work in prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer or standing in front of a classroom to facilitate.
Safety Requirements
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. EHS standards.
Quality & Environmental Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001, RBA 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.:
Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].