Director, EPIC Lab Operations

Key Responsibilities

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