Job Title:  Operations Director

Introductory paragraph:

Reporting to French Site Director, the Operations Director and member of the Management Committee plays a critical role in defining and executing the company’s operational strategy across CAMECA’s global manufacturing footprint. With direct oversight of the Production Director, Supply Chain Director, and Operational Excellence Director, he will be responsible for ensuring that operational performance supports the company’s growth, innovation, and customer commitments — in full alignment with AMETEK's standards of excellence. His mission will be to ensure the robustness, scalability, and competitiveness of CAMECA’s operations in a context of innovation, growth, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities section:

The Operations Director will:

• Strategic Leadership
  • Define and implement the global operations strategy in alignment with corporate objectives, ensuring integration between production, supply chain, and operational excellence.
  • Actively contribute to the company's strategic planning, bringing an operations perspective to support business growth, product development, and market expansion.
  • Lead cross-functional transformation initiatives aimed at increasing operational agility, reducing costs, and improving customer satisfaction.
• Team & Functional Leadership
  • Manage and guide the Production, Supply Chain, and Operational Excellence leadership teams, ensuring clear objectives, regular performance reviews, and alignment with corporate KPIs.
  • Build a strong culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous development within the operations team.
  • Coach and develop your direct reports, ensuring succession planning and talent pipeline readiness across operations functions.
  • Promote a culture of safety, quality, and performance excellence throughout all operations.
• Production Management
  • Ensure robust day-to-day production management across sites, with a focus on safety, quality, on-time delivery, cost control, and operational efficiency.
  • Support the industrialization of new products and technologies by ensuring readiness of processes, teams, and resources.
  • Monitor production capacity and efficiency metrics and anticipate investments or restructuring needs to support growth and competitiveness.
  • Collaborate with R&D and Engineering to ensure seamless product transfer and manufacturability.
• Supply Chain Optimization
  • Oversee the end-to-end supply chain, including procurement, supplier management, logistics, inventory control, and planning.
  • Ensure continuity and resilience of the supply chain, especially for strategic or long lead-time components.
  • Improve forecast accuracy, demand planning, and stock optimization in coordination with sales and finance.
  • Develop supplier partnerships and lead cost-reduction or dual-sourcing initiatives where applicable.
• Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
  • Lead the deployment of Lean principles across all areas of operations, fostering a mindset of waste reduction, standardization, and value creation.
  • Lead VA/VE (Value Analysis / Value Engineering) programs in close collaboration with R&D and Engineering teams, with the objective of reducing product cost, improving manufacturability, and increasing customer value without compromising performance or quality.
  • Promote data-driven performance improvement initiatives through KPIs, dashboards, and continuous improvement routines.
  • Drive the implementation of digital tools and systems (ERP, MES, dashboards) that enhance process visibility and efficiency.
  • Ensure the deployment of best practices across sites and establish a culture of benchmarking and knowledge sharing.
• Compliance, Risk & Sustainability
  • Guarantee compliance with all applicable regulations and standards (e.g., ISO, HSE, export controls).
  • Implement and enforce robust HSE policies and practices to maintain a safe and secure working environment across all facilities.
  • Support corporate sustainability and ESG objectives through initiatives that reduce the environmental footprint of operations.
• Stakeholder & Cross-functional Collaboration
  • Act as the primary liaison between operations and other internal stakeholders including R&D, Quality, Sales, Marketing, Service, HR and Finance.
  • Communicate operational strategies and performance to senior management and contribute to corporate reporting and reviews.
  • Collaborate within the AMETEK network to leverage synergies, share best practices, and participate in global initiatives.

Requirements section:

• Education & experience:
  • Master’s degree in engineering, Industrial Management, Supply Chain, Operations, or related technical field is required.
  • Additional qualifications such as an MBA or executive training in lean management, operations strategy, or global supply chain leadership are a strong asset.
  • 15+ years of experience in operations, with at least 8 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Director, or equivalent), ideally in a complex industrial or technology-driven environment.
  • Proven track record in leading multi-site production operations, including international facilities, with accountability for performance, cost, quality, and delivery.
  • Strong background in supply chain management, including procurement, logistics, planning, and supplier development, ideally in a global context.
  • Demonstrated success in industrialization and new product introduction (NPI) within a high-mix/low-volume manufacturing environment.
  • Hands-on experience implementing Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies across operational functions.
  • Experience working within a matrix organization or part of a large industrial group, with exposure to group-level reporting, compliance, and strategic alignment.
• Professionnal knowledge & abilities:
  • Leadership & Management Skills:
  • Strong leadership presence with the ability to inspire, align, and drive performance across a multi-disciplinary and international team
  • Excellent ability to set strategic direction, translate it into actionable plans, and deliver results through others.
  • Proven capability to manage and develop senior-level direct reports, creating a culture of empowerment, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Ability to navigate complex organizational structures and influence stakeholders at all levels, including executive and corporate leadership.
  • Technical & Operational Expertise:
  • Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, quality systems, and production planning in a technical or scientific environment.
  • Deep knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles, operational performance metrics, and tools for process optimization.
  • Strong command of supply chain best practices, including risk management, global sourcing, and integrated planning.
  • Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle), MES, and data-driven operations management.
  • Languages & Communication:
  • Fluency in English is mandatory; proficiency in French is highly preferred.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information in a clear, structured, and persuasive manner.
  • Comfortable communicating and influencing in multicultural and cross-functional environments.
  • Personal Attributes
  • Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach and strong execution mindset.
  • High level of business acumen, with a results-oriented and customer-focused approach.
  • Resilient and adaptable, capable of leading through change and managing ambiguity.
  • High integrity and a strong sense of responsibility, aligned with AMETEK’s core values.