The Impact You’ll Make in this Role
This role exists to stand up and scale contract manufacturing for one of 3M’s most strategically significant growth technologies — Expanded Beam Optical (EBO), a high-performance optical connectivity solution for AI data center infrastructure. This is both a hands-on operational leadership role and a strategic one: the person in this role will qualify and ramp large-scale contract manufacturers to commercial production, while simultaneously building the team, systems, and institutional knowledge that will define how 3M manages large-scale CMs going forward.
3M has historically managed smaller, specialized suppliers. EBO represents a meaningful shift — toward larger, more complex co-manufacturing relationships that require a different operating model. This leader will help 3M make that transition successfully.
As a(n) Director, Global Contract Manufacturing you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:
Drive end-to-end qualification and production ramp for at least one, potentially two, large-scale contract manufacturers capable of producing EBO technology to specification and at commercial volume.
- Assess and select CMs — evaluate technical capability, cleanroom and equipment requirements, optical assembly processes, and quality systems
- Own the full qualification process from initial site assessment through FAI completion, EWR/AFE sign-off, and validation sign-off with Quality, Lab, and Regulatory
- Lead production ramp at qualified CMs; hold partners accountable to capacity, volume, quality, and cost commitments
- Serve as the primary interface between 3M and CM leadership — escalation point, resolution owner, and day-to-day operating partner
- Provide Engineering oversight — coordinate assets, tooling, capital plans, and process documentation at CM sites
- Respond to capacity and yield challenges in real time — staffing, yield improvement, equipment needs, and operational scale-up
- Ensure replication capability — qualify the same production process at a second CM site as the program scales
- Support RFQ and negotiation processes for CM selection; manage ongoing supplier performance against cost, quality, and delivery commitments
Your Skills and Expertise
To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher (completed and verified prior to start)
- Three (3) years of experience managing large-scale, high-volatility programs with compressed timelines and strong discipline in operational controls, reporting, and communication in a private, public, government or military environment
Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:
- Master's degree in Business, Engineering or Supply Chain from an accredited institution
- Five (5) years of Senior technical, commercial, and operational aptitude to manage large-scale contract manufacturers; precision manufacturing experience required, optical or photonics background strongly preferred
- Proven track record managing large-scale, demanding end-customer supply chains (hyperscaler, Tier 1 OEM, or equivalent)
- Ability to model unit economics for precision manufactured products and identify structural cost improvement opportunities
- in a private, public, government or military environment
- Skills include… Demonstrated ability to lead in ambiguous, high-stakes environments — setting direction, building structure, and driving results without a fully built organization
- Experience recruiting, developing, and organizing teams; ability to scale a function from early-stage to operational maturity
- Strong executive presence and cross-functional influence — able to align Quality, Engineering, Legal, and Regulatory stakeholders without direct authority
- Experience managing large-scale, high-volatility programs with compressed timelines and strong discipline in operational controls, reporting, and communication
Work location:
Travel: May include up to 20% [international]
Relocation: Not applicable
Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).
