VP of Operations

• Lead and oversee all operational functions including production, logistics, supply chain, customer service, HR, and administration. Actively engage in managing day-to-day operations, ensuring each function runs efficiently and effectively.
• Collaborate closely with the CEO and executive team to set and implement company strategy and operational goals. Engage in executing strategic initiatives and translating high-level objectives into actionable plans. Work directly with teams to ensure strategies are effectively implemented on the ground.
• Support the execution of strategic initiatives and operational improvements. Work with teams to identify areas for improvement, assist in implementing changes, and help ensure efforts are carried out effectively and contribute to positive results.
• Work directly with team members to foster growth, provide coaching, and ensure performance expectations are met. Be actively involved in day-to-day team operations, offering support and guidance to enhance team effectiveness.
• Actively participate in the development and management of the company-wide budget, working closely with department heads and finance teams to ensure sound financial planning, effective resource allocation, and alignment with strategic goals. Contribute to budgeting discussions and support ongoing adjustments as needed.
• Evaluate and optimize operational systems and procedures to support growth and scalability. Take a hands-on approach to identifying operational bottlenecks and inefficiencies, working directly with teams to implement improvements and ensure the systems are scalable and capable of supporting future growth.
• Support legal, compliance, internal control and ESG-related activities as they pertain to operations. Be actively involved in day-to-day compliance checks, audits, and risk assessments to ensure all operational processes meet legal and regulatory requirements. Develop and maintain compliance manuals, lead internal training initiatives, and ensure consistent adherence to standards across the organization.
• Promote a collaborative and improvement-focused work environment across departments. Set a positive example through direct involvement in day-to-day operations, support the adoption of effective practices, and encourage open communication and teamwork to help teams perform at their best.
• Maintain clear communication and coordination between U.S. operations and international sister companies (e.g., Taiwan, China). Work closely with global teams to support alignment on processes and share practical insights. Contribute to cross-functional projects to help ensure consistency in operational efforts across regions.

• US citizen or permanent resident required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field (MBA or advanced degree preferred).
• 8 years of operational management experience with a strong track record of direct, hands-on involvement; at least 5 years in leadership roles.
• Proven experience managing day-to-day operations in a small to mid-sized company, ideally in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and collaborate across departments including production, supply chain, customer service, administration, and HR.
• Practical experience in HR-related functions, such as recruitment, performance management, organizational development, team-building initiatives, and ensuring compliance with employment laws and regulations.
• Willingness and ability to roll up sleeves and actively contribute to daily operations, including process execution and problem-solving.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a focus on team development, coaching, and fostering a positive workplace culture.
• Solid analytical and financial skills with experience in company-wide budgeting, forecasting, resource planning, and KPI tracking.
• Experience with ERP systems and data analytics tools is a plus.

• Medical/dental insurance; Paid Time-Off; Paid Holidays.

LIGHTEL designs, manufactures, and supplies a broad range of products and services to the fiber optic industry worldwide. Since our beginning in 1999, we have continued our solid growth pattern, and have become a recognized leader in bringing ELemental innovations to LIGHT. Starting out with Coupler Workstations for manufacturing Fused Biconic Taper products, LIGHTEL has expanded into Fused Fiber components, Micro-Optic passive optical components, Video Microscopes for inspection purposes, and many other fiber optic related products and services. Our coupler workstations are updated to reflect the latest in software, packaging, and control systems. Our broad range of analog and digital video microscope products keeps network down time to a minimum, and allows documentation through an easy to use software interface.