Sr. Director of Business Operations

Summary of the Senior Director, Business Operations role:

 

• Consolidate forecasts and operating data.
• Prepare revenue, margin, cost, and variance analysis.
• Coordinate the annual operating-plan process.
• Administer S&OP and executive-review cadence.
• Track program milestones, risks, actions, and dependencies.
• Maintain backlog, commitment, and contract-obligation reporting.
• Run weekly in-quarter revenue tracking.
• Maintain KPI dashboards and business-review materials.
• Use AI to improve efficiency and accuracy

   

Title: Senior Director, Business Operations

Level: Senior Director-level senior individual contributor, with no direct reports initially.
Proposed reporting line: EVP, Communications Business Group.

The role integrates business planning, financial analysis, S&OP, customer commitments, and program execution across the group. That scope supports a Senior Director-level role even without an initial team.

Role Summary

The Senior Director, Business Operations will establish a clear, reliable operating view for the Communications Business Group and help its leaders translate business priorities into plans and measurable execution. The role integrates financial, commercial, supply-and-demand, and program information; coordinates planning and review cadences; surfaces risks and decisions; and drives follow-through on actions. It operates as a senior individual contributor, building alignment across business units and corporate functions through strong analysis, judgment, and influence.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

1. Integrated business planning and forecasting

• Consolidate business unit, Finance, Sales, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing inputs into an integrated view of revenue, margin, cost, demand, supply, capacity, inventory, and key assumptions.
• Coordinate the annual operating plan and recurring forecast updates, establishing clear milestones, owners, inputs, and review dates.
• Develop scenario and variance analyses to help leaders understand tradeoffs, allocate resources, and close gaps against business and financial goals.

2. Financial and operating performance

• Prepare revenue, gross margin, cost, and variance analyses; explain performance against plan and forecast, identify drivers, and frame corrective actions.
• Run weekly in-quarter revenue tracking, reconciling customer, product, order, and backlog information with Finance and commercial teams; surface risks, opportunities, and actions.
• Maintain reporting on backlog, customer commitments, and contract obligations, with clear visibility to timing, delivery expectations, ownership, and changes.

3. S&OP and executive review cadence

• Administer the S&OP and executive-review cadence, coordinating inputs, preparing concise pre-reads and business-review materials, capturing decisions, and tracking actions through closure.
• Work with commercial, product, supply-chain, manufacturing, and business-unit leaders to reconcile demand, supply, capacity, and customer priorities.

4. Program execution and risk management

• Track milestones, risks, actions, dependencies, and owners across major business and operating programs.
• Identify schedule or execution gaps early, clarify cross-functional dependencies, and ensure mitigation plans and leadership decisions are followed through.

5. KPI dashboards and decision support

• Maintain business KPIs, dashboards, metric definitions, data owners, and reporting sources so leaders can rely on consistent, timely information.
• Improve planning and reporting workflows, using analytics and automation tools where appropriate to reduce manual work and strengthen data integrity.
• Translate complex operating data into clear, decision-ready insights and materials for senior leaders.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in business operations, financial planning and analysis, strategic planning, integrated business planning, commercial operations, or a related field. Experience in a global technology or manufacturing business is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate financial and operating plans and lead cross-functional planning, S&OP, business reviews, or comparable operating cadences.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to work with complex data, build forecasts, assess performance, and explain key drivers and risks.
• Experience with spreadsheet and presentation tools and business-intelligence platforms such as Power BI or Tableau; familiarity with ERP, CRM, or planning systems is an advantage.
• Clear executive communication, sound judgment, strong organization, and disciplined follow-through.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and deliver results across a matrixed organization without relying on direct authority or an initial team.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, engineering, or a related discipline; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Optical industry knowledge/experience is a plus

The role begins as an individual contributor. Any future team growth can be considered as the work and business needs evolve.

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.

About UsCoherent 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.