Value Stream Manager

Seeking a Business-Minded Manufacturing Leader to Help Drive Our Next Phase of Growth

Position Summary

The Value Stream Manager is accountable for the overall performance, efficiency, and growth of an assigned value stream within our manufacturing operation. A value stream consists of one or more production lines producing similar parts, which may be identical or have slight variations. This role provides strategic leadership and operational direction to ensure the value stream consistently meets safety, quality, delivery, cost, and growth objectives.

While the role is not responsible for generating new sales, the Value Stream Manager works closely with executive leadership and the Sales team to ensure the value stream is operationally prepared to support new business opportunities, capacity changes, and long-term growth objectives.

This position leads a team of supervisors who oversee the day‑to‑day activities of production employees and plays a critical role in driving continuous improvement, process optimization, and a culture of accountability and “getting things done.”

Key Responsibilities

Value Stream Ownership & Performance

• Own and lead all aspects of value stream performance, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and employee engagement.
• Establish and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with company objectives.
• Ensure the value stream consistently meets production targets and customer requirements.
• Identify risks and constraints and proactively implement solutions to mitigate impact.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of production supervisors responsible for daily operations.
• Set clear expectations, reinforce accountability, and support supervisors in achieving operational goals.
• Foster a culture of ownership, problem-solving, and continuous improvement at all levels of the value stream.
• Ensure staffing, training, and skill development plans support current and future production needs.

Continuous Improvement & Process Engineering

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing, six sigma, or similar methodologies.
• Partner with engineering and operations teams to improve processes, reduce waste, increase throughput, and improve quality.
• Support process engineering efforts including line balancing, cycle time reduction, layout optimization, and standard work development.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for operational issues.

Strategic Planning & Growth Readiness

• Collaborate with executive leadership to plan capacity, capital investments, and operational readiness for future growth.
• Work cross‑functionally with Sales, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality to support new product introductions and new business opportunities.
• Evaluate feasibility, risks, and resource requirements to support new programs within the value stream.

Cross‑Functional Communication

• Act as the primary point of contact for value stream performance and execution.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with leadership, peers, and teams regarding priorities, challenges, and progress.
• Support a collaborative, solutions‑focused approach across departments.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• Proven leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, ideally leading supervisors or similar frontline leaders.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production flow, and performance metrics.
• Demonstrated experience driving continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
• Ability to lead through challenges and ambiguity, with a strong bias toward action and execution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Engineering degree and/or hands‑on experience in process engineering.
• Experience with lean manufacturing, six sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience managing multi‑line or multi‑cell manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated success preparing operations for growth or new business integration.

Key Attributes for Success

• Can‑Do Mindset: Tackles challenges head‑on and finds solutions rather than focusing on obstacles.
• Execution‑Focused: Delivers results and holds self and others accountable.
• Resilient Leader: Maintains momentum and performance in the face of adversity.
• Practical Problem Solver: Combines data, experience, and sound judgment to drive decisions.
• Strong Communicator: Builds trust and alignment across all levels of the organization.