Head of CAD Operations (Clear Aligners - Dentistry)

About the Role The Head of CAD Operations is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing and optimising all digital design and CAD workflows across the organisation.

This position requires managing a large, multi-tiered team to ensure seamless alignment between design output, production requirements, and client expectations.The ideal candidate will be an operational expert with a deep understanding of CAD/CAM processes, specifically within dental and orthodontic aligner manufacturing.

They will ensure high-quality output, manage capacity distribution, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities Team Leadership & ManagementLead and manage CAD operations across multiple teams, overseeing six operational teams comprising all Full-Time Employees (FTEs).

Core leadership accountabilities include:

• Directly manage six Team Leads and two Operational Coordinators, providing mentorship, performance evaluations, and strategic direction.
• Handle comprehensive team management, including salary concerns, capacity planning, and resource allocation.
• Generate and track Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure team performance consistently meets company standards.

Operational Oversight & Workflow ManagementAdapt and optimise CAD workflows to ensure seamless compatibility with downstream CAM processes.

Key duties include:

• Maintain synchronisation between the CAD and production teams, acting as the key liaison for smooth transitions between the CAD and Treatment Plan (Designers) teams.
• Oversee operational customer onboarding, ensuring smooth workflow initiation and establishing robust STL validation processes across multiple client sources.
• Manage expedited cases across teams, aligning workflows when cases are at earlier steps such as treatment planning.
• Prepare and implement contingency plans for hardware or system issues to prevent production downtime.
• Coordinate with facilities regarding any hardware changes required for file compatibility.

Capacity Planning & Data ManagementData integrity and capacity management are paramount in this role.

Responsibilities include:

• Perform rigorous data checks across various systems to ensure all orders are accurately tracked and progressing smoothly through the workflow.
• Actively manage capacity distribution among teams for cases and aligners.
• Create and maintain comprehensive monthly dashboards for capacity tracking and reporting.
• Proactively declare and manage any capacity increases in facilities to top management during capacity distribution planning.

Technology & InnovationStaying at the forefront of technological advancements is crucial for our operations.

Responsibilities include:

• Work on the software validation process for new CAD tools alongside the product team, ensuring full workflow compatibility before organisational rollout.
• Actively test new software and workflows to enhance operational efficiency and design quality.
• Collaborate closely with the IT department on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within CAD workflows to drive continuous innovation.

Required QualificationsDoctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), or equivalent dental qualification.Proven experience with a 10+ years in clinical and operational experience in orthodontic treatment planning for clear aligners, with a strong command of tooth movement staging, attachments, IPR (interproximal reduction), and malocclusion correction principles.Hands-on experience with dental CAD/CAM software and clear aligner treatment planning platforms.Solid understanding of the end-to-end CAD-to-CAM workflow, including STL file validation and production handoff processes.Demonstrated experience leading and managing large, multi-tiered teams (Team Leads, Coordinators, and FTEs) in a production or operations environment.Experience with capacity planning, resource allocation, and OKR/KPI development and tracking.Strong data management skills, including building and maintaining operational dashboards for reporting.Experience supporting or leading software validation and testing for new digital design tools.Excellent cross-functional collaboration skills, with experience working closely with Production, IT, Product, and Facilities teams.Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to operate at both strategic and hands-on levels.

Preferred QualificationsSpeciality qualification or experience in orthodontics.Experience integrating or evaluating AI-driven tools within CAD or digital treatment planning workflows.Experience operating in a multi-client or outsourced design environment with varied case sources.Familiarity with medical device quality systems (e.g., ISO 13485) relevant to dental manufacturing.