Job Description

Composing the core of a brighter world.

LIGHTERA has one of the longest and most respectable corporate lineages in American business, which goes back to Alexander Graham Bell and the invention of the telephone more than a century ago. We have a proven track record of being first in the industry with application-specific fibers, optical connectors, ribbon cables, erbium-doped fibers, Raman fiber lasers, fiber gratings, and more. Our mission is to provide leading optical innovations and solutions by designing, manufacturing and supplying the best optical fibers, fiber cable, and components and devices for our customers, with exceptional service that creates value for our shareholders, customers, and employees. To do so, we continue shaping the future of communications by applying the best minds to the challenges our customers will continually face.

Our mission is simple and bold: to build brighter, more connected communities through cutting‑edge optical technologies.

Master Data Manager

Norcross, GA-Hybrid

The Master Data Manager will lead the development, governance, and global deployment of the company's Master Data Management (MDM) strategy across a complex, multi-site optical fiber and cable manufacturing organization operating on four continents. This senior leadership position is responsible for establishing a scalable master data governance framework that enables operational excellence, digital manufacturing, supply chain optimization, financial accuracy, and enterprise analytics.

Reporting directly through the Office of the CFO, this role will serve as the enterprise owner for Product, Material, Customer, Vendor, BOM, Routing, and Manufacturing Master Data. The Master Data Manager will partner closely with Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, IT, Commercial, Engineering, and Quality teams to create a single source of truth across ERP, MES, PLM, CRM, and analytics platforms.

The successful candidate will have proven experience architecting and implementing a Master Data Management program within a global manufacturing environment, including establishing governance structures, organizational ownership models, data standards, stewardship processes, and supporting technology platforms.

This position is a hybrid position requiring on-site attendance a minimum of two days/week and is located in Norcross, GA.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Business, Information Systems, Engineering, Supply Chain, Data Management, or related field. MBA strongly preferred.

• 12+ years of experience in data management, ERP governance, business systems, supply chain, operations, or manufacturing environments.

• Minimum 5 years in a leadership role overseeing enterprise master data programs.

• Proven experience establishing and implementing a Master Data Management framework from the ground up in a manufacturing organization.

• Experience leading global data governance programs across multiple business units and geographic regions.

• Demonstrated success managing large-scale data transformation, ERP implementation, or digital manufacturing initiatives.

• Experience within industrial manufacturing, telecommunications, optical fiber, cable manufacturing, electronics, or similarly complex manufacturing environments strongly preferred

Additional Qualifications, Certifications and/or Licenses:

• Deep expertise with:

  o Master Data Management principles

  o Data Governance frameworks

  o Data Quality Management

  o BOM and Product Data Management

  o Material Master Governance

  o Manufacturing data structures

• Experience with ERP platforms such as SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, Microsoft Dynamics, or equivalent.

• Familiarity with MES, PLM, CRM, Data Warehouse, and Analytics platforms.

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain operations, costing, and financial controls.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Enterprise MDM Strategy & Leadership

  · Develop and execute a global Master Data Management strategy aligned with business objectives and digital transformation initiatives.

  · Establish and lead the enterprise Master Data Governance Council and supporting regional governance structures.

  · Define ownership, stewardship, accountability, and approval workflows for all master data domains.

  · Create a long-term roadmap for data standardization, governance maturity, and process harmonization across global operations.

  · Serve as the executive-level advisor to the CFO and senior leadership team on data governance and enterprise data quality initiatives.

• Data Governance & Standards

  · Develop governance policies, procedures, standards, and controls for master data creation, maintenance, validation, and retirement.

  · Establish enterprise data quality metrics, scorecards, and monitoring processes.

  · Define global naming conventions, classification structures, hierarchies, and business rules.

  · Implement controls to ensure compliance with audit, financial reporting, regulatory, and customer requirements.

  · Drive a culture of data ownership and accountability throughout the organization

• Manufacturing Master Data Management

  · Lead governance of:

  o Product Master Data

  o Material Master Data

  o Bill of Materials (BOM)

  o Routings

  o Specifications

  o Manufacturing Process Data

  o Customer and Supplier Master Data

  · Partner with Operations and Manufacturing teams to standardize product, production, and engineering data across all facilities.

  · Support manufacturing network optimization through consistent data definitions and structures.

  · Ensure alignment between engineering, manufacturing, quality, and commercial master data requirements.

• Technology & Systems Integration

  · Act as business owner for MDM-related technologies and processes.

  · Collaborate with IT and business stakeholders to integrate master data across ERP, MES, PLM, CRM, Data Lake, BI, and analytics platforms.

  · Support enterprise initiatives involving SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, Microsoft platforms, MES systems, and future data architecture initiatives.

  · Lead master data migration, cleansing, harmonization, and governance activities associated with ERP and manufacturing transformation programs.

• Data Quality & Continuous Improvement

  · Establish enterprise-wide data quality monitoring and reporting.

  · Identify and remediate root causes of master data defects.

  · Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on data accuracy, completeness, consistency, and governance efficiency.

  · Develop KPIs and executive dashboards that measure business impact and governance effectiveness.

• Global Stakeholder Management

  · Lead cross-functional teams spanning North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM.

  · Influence senior business leaders and functional teams to adopt governance standards and best practices.

  · Develop and deliver global training programs that promote data literacy and stewardship.

  · Facilitate alignment among Finance, IT, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Commercial leadership teams.

• Other duties as assigned and role requires approximately 35% travel both internationally and domestically.

General Expectations:

• High attention to detail with strong analytical skills

• Demonstrate effective communications (verbal, written) skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office

• Strategic thinker with enterprise-wide perspective.

• Ability to build organizational alignment in a matrixed global environment.

• Exceptional communication and executive presentation skills.

• Strong change management and stakeholder influence capability.

• Data-driven decision maker.

• High degree of integrity and accountability.

• Proven ability to lead global transformation initiatives.

• Maintain discretion when working with confidential and proprietary information

• Strict adherence to Company safety policies and procedures

• Exhibit all of Lightera “Standards of Conduct”

Working at LIGHTERA means having the opportunity to realize ideas, experience innovation, and discover new solutions for the future. In addition to our dynamic work environment, we offer competitive salaries and generous benefits programs, including medical, dental, tuition reimbursement, and a matching 401(k) plan.

Employees are expected to serve as role models for safe work practices and behaviors. This includes following established health and safety policies and procedures, maintaining a clean, organized work area, wearing, and properly storing all personal protective equipment (PPE), and actively engaging as a safety conscious worker with personal safety and wellness as a priority.

If you'd like to be part of an energetic, world leader in optic fiber solutions, please apply through our Career portal at Careers | Lightera

Visa sponsorship not available. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States now and in the future. The company does not provide visa sponsorship or any immigration support (including STEM OPT training plan) for this position

Note: Only those candidates selected for the interview process will be contacted.

About Lightera

Lightera is a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions, delivering innovative technologies that drive communication networks, data centers, and specialty photonics applications. With a deep legacy of expertise in optical science, we provide high-performance solutions that enable faster, more reliable, and more sustainable connections for businesses, communities, and industries worldwide.

Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, U.S.A., Lightera operates with a global footprint, serving customers across telecommunications, enterprise, industrial, generative AI, data centers, 5G/6G, utilities, medical, aerospace, defense, and sensing markets. Lightera is part of Furukawa Electric Group, a multi-billion-dollar leader in optical communications.

Lightera is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or status as an individual with a disability.