This role is responsible for managing the complete manufacturing lifecycle, from production planning through customer delivery, while collaborating closely with R&D, contract manufacturers, suppliers, logistics partners, and data verification teams. The successful candidate will play a critical role in ensuring operational excellence, schedule adherence, quality performance, and customer satisfaction.
This position has been established as a succession role and includes an approximately one-year handover and on-the-job training (OJT) period with the current incumbent.
Key Responsibilities
1. Production Planning & Manufacturing Management
Lead production activities across multiple contract manufacturing partners throughout Japan.
Negotiate and manage manufacturing costs, engineering resources, production capacity, and delivery schedules.
Develop and execute recovery plans to address production delays, quality concerns, or other operational issues.
Oversee the complete manufacturing cycle, including design, production, testing, and evaluation activities (typically a three-month cycle).
Create production plans based on internal resource availability and contract manufacturer capacity.
Coordinate delivery schedules with Sales teams and end customers, including leading semiconductor device manufacturers.
Monitor production performance and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
2. Supplier & Supply Chain Management
Forecast component requirements and establish procurement and supply plans.
Manage supplier relationships, including negotiations related to cost, delivery performance, and service levels.
Monitor supplier quality performance and ensure appropriate corrective and preventive actions are implemented.
Drive supply chain risk mitigation activities, including safety stock planning, recovery actions, 8D investigations, and CAPA programs.
Ensure uninterrupted material availability to support production commitments.
3. Schedule Coordination & Operational Issue Resolution
Manage internal manufacturing processes, including system evaluation, product verification, inspections, and shipment readiness.
Coordinate cross-functional activities with
Engineering & R&D for software debugging, integration testing, and design support.
Data Verification Teams for data collection, analysis, and validation.
EHS Teams to ensure inspections and compliance requirements are completed prior to shipment.
Allocate internal resources, including personnel, workspace, and equipment, to support production plans.
Analyze schedule deviations, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
Support facility maintenance, infrastructure improvements, production floor optimization, and 5S initiatives to improve efficiency and workplace organization.
4. Operational & Team Support Activities
Manage inventory reconciliation and oversee warehouse inbound and outbound operations.
Coordinate component shipments from suppliers to contract manufacturers and ensure timely delivery.
Prepare and coordinate receiving activities for equipment returned from contract manufacturing sites.
Support daily operational activities to maintain smooth production flow and inventory accuracy.
Leadership Development & Future Management Responsibilities
Participate in a structured one- to two-year transition period with the current manager.
Regularly visit suppliers and manufacturing sites to develop a deep understanding of production processes and operational challenges.
Build leadership capabilities to assume broader management responsibilities.
Progress toward leading the entire Operations function and managing future team members.
Required Experience & Qualifications
Proven experience in Production Management, Manufacturing Operations, Operations Management, or Supply Chain Management within large equipment, machinery, or industrial manufacturing environments.
Strong supplier management and negotiation experience, including cost, delivery, quality, and service-related discussions.
Demonstrated project management experience involving cross-functional stakeholders.
Solid understanding of Bill of Materials (BOM) structures and Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems.
Knowledge of logistics, warehousing, inventory control, and supply chain operations.
Strong financial acumen with experience managing costs, budgets, and payment controls.
Ability to work effectively within a global matrix organization and collaborate across multiple functions.
Business-level English communication skills, both written and verbal (English interview required).
Experience leading teams, coaching employees, and driving organizational performance through effective leadership.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience managing production operations for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, factory automation (FA) systems, or other industrial machinery.
Experience coordinating activities among engineering teams, contract manufacturers, and external suppliers.
Familiarity with semiconductor industry manufacturing processes and operational requirements.
Personal Attributes
Willingness to travel domestically to manufacturing sites and supplier locations.
Strong project leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to influence and collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders.
Results-oriented mindset with strong planning, prioritization, and execution skills.
Ability to balance speed, quality, and operational efficiency in a dynamic environment.
Additional Information
Time Type
Full time
Employee Type
Assignee / Regular
Travel
Yes, 20% of the Time
Relocation Eligible
Yes
Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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.
