Director, EPIC Lab Operations

The Director, Lab Operations is responsible for leading end-to-end lab operations to ensure safe, high-quality, and efficient production execution. This role drives daily performance across Safety, Quality, and Output (SQO), oversees cleanroom and production control activities, and partners with engineering and customers to meet operational objectives. The Operations Manager plays a critical role in fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

Production & Output Execution

• Drive achievement of daily, weekly, and quarterly production targets.
• Maximize equipment utilization by ensuring tools are effectively run when available (UTP).
• Identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions to maintain throughput.

Quality Management

• Ensure adherence to strict quality standards to protect wafer integrity throughout all processes.
• Promote a "product-as-customer" mindset, reinforcing ownership of quality at every operational step.
• Prevent contamination, defects, and handling-related damage through disciplined execution.

Operations Oversight

• Lead and oversee 24/7 lab operations, including:
• Production Control Center (PCC) activities (staffed per shift)
• Cleanroom floor operations through Team Leaders and Clean Room Operators (CROs)
• Ensure alignment and seamless coordination between operations, engineering, and support teams.

Customer/Tenant Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customer and tenant concerns related to lab operations.
• Ensure timely issue resolution, transparent communication, and follow-through on corrective actions.

Incident Investigation & Problem Solving

• Lead root cause analysis using structured methodologies such as 5 Whys and 8D.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to eliminate recurrence of issues.

Performance Management & Reporting

• Monitor and ensure achievement of daily Safety, Quality, and Output (SQO) targets.
• Provide clear, data-driven explanations for deviations, including root cause and recovery plans.
• Report operational performance, risks, and improvements to the Fab Manager.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Participate in Change Review Boards (CRBs) as required.
• Lead weekly production meetings with Engineering to review tool status, performance, and priorities.
• Collaborate with business units and stakeholders to support operational goals.

Continuous Improvement & Lean Practices

• Apply Lean principles through Gemba (go-and-see) practices to observe operations firsthand.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement across teams.

• Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 8+ years of experience in semiconductor manufacturing, cleanroom operations, or similar environments
• Proven leadership experience managing operations teams in a high-volume or R&D fab setting
• Experience with process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent)
• Strong leadership and team management skills in a 24/7 operational environment
• Deep understanding of lab operations, equipment utilization, and production control
• Expertise in problem-solving methodologies (5 Whys, 8D, RCA)
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Data-driven decision-making and performance management
• Strong customer focus and ability to manage escalations effectively

## Qualifications

### Education:

Bachelor's Degree

### Skills

### Certifications:

### Languages:

### Years of Experience:

10 - 15 Years

### Work Experience:

## Additional Information

###

### Shift:

10-Day 8-Hr (United States of America)

###

### Travel:

Yes, 25% of the Time

###

### Relocation Eligible:

Yes

### Referral Payment Plan:

Employee Referral (Standard)

Salary Range:

$164,000.00 - $225,500.00

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.