Program Director – Smart Manufacturing

Context 

IMEC performs world-leading research in nano-electronics. Imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare, and energy. Imec delivers industry-relevant technology solutions. In a unique high-tech environment, its international top talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable society. Imec is headquartered in Leuven (Belgium) and has offices in the Netherlands, Taiwan, US, China, Japan and India. Its staff of more than 5000 people from over 95 nationalities includes over 750 industrial residents and guest researchers.  
 
Currently, IMEC has decided to launch a strategic initiative called SmartLine aligned with an Industry 4.0 based ambition for accelerated efficiency gains in both cleanroom operations and research support. As part of this program, we started with the definition of a future (conceptual) architecture for the OT and IT building blocks supporting this ambition. Examples include: MES, Equipment integration (Automation), load & go automations, reporting platform,...  
We will be designing and implementing each of the components in this architecture over the coming years. 

What you will do

The Program Director is end-to-end responsible for overseeing all aspects of this multi-million and multi-year transformation program, from strategic planning and execution to budget management and stakeholder communication. Once the program comes to an end, the director can own and run the department that operates this smart setup.

In general, this means that you will: 

• Develop and execute a comprehensive program strategy based on our to-be conceptual architecture and ambition. 
• Design and setup the organization that will operate and support the Smart setup in the future.  
• Lead cross-functional teams to implement program initiatives effectively. 
• Lead the digital transformation office and strategic portfolio team to manage the program priorities and planning, together with business owners, program managers, change managers and product owners. 
• Define project scope, objectives, deliverables and business cases in collaboration with key stakeholders, ensuring alignment with company goals and objectives. 
• Establish and manage program and project budgets, timelines, and resource allocation to ensure successful and timely completion of milestones. 
• Ensure alignment between different SmartLine projects running in parallel based on priorities and dependencies. 
• Monitor program progress and performance, identifying risks and implementing mitigation strategies as needed to ensure project success. 
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the program, driving adoption of new technologies and best practices. 
• Collaborate with internal and external partners, including vendors and industry experts, to leverage expertise and resources in support of program objectives. 
• Communicate program status, updates, and key milestones to executive leadership and stakeholders, providing regular reports and presentations as required. 

What we do for you

We offer you a challenging role in which you think and act strategically and in which you have a concrete impact the IMEC core operations. This is your opportunity to work in an advanced high-tech environment, contributing to technologies that will have an impact on tomorrow’s society. At imec, we offer ongoing learning opportunities to help you acquire new skills or deepen existing expertise.  

Your valuable contribution and that of your colleagues make imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of an attractive and competitive salary with many fringe benefits. 

Who you are

• A program director that has an architecture background. 
• Proven track record of successful transformation program management, particularly in the semiconductor industry or similar high-tech manufacturing environment. 
• Extensive experience leading large-scale, multi-year initiatives, with demonstrated ability to drive results and deliver projects on time and within budget. 
• Strong background in smart manufacturing technologies, including MES systems, automation, data analytics and robotics. 
• Experience / knowledge of semiconductor processes. 
• The ability to go deep into the content, while keeping an overview on the entire program. 
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization. 
• Strategic thinker with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement, able to identify opportunities for process optimization and efficiency gains. 

 IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.