Hitachi America

Value Stream Leader

Hitachi America$95K — $115K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS Degree in Engineering or equivalent manufacturing experience.
  • 10+ years in manufacturing operations with a focus on improvement.
  • Effective communicator across various organizational levels.
  • Strong proficiency in analytical tools like Excel and ERP systems.
  • Experience working within a matrix organizational structure.
  • Strong interpersonal and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

  • Drive team safety initiatives and compliance with safety protocols.
  • Ensure product quality and adherence to regulatory guidelines.
  • Manage production schedules and On-Time Delivery (OTD).
  • Oversee inventory levels in accordance with WIP targets.
  • Implement labor cost reduction and productivity improvement projects.
  • Lead hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluations for team members.
  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement.

Benefits

  • 401(k) with company match
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid time off and holidays
  • Career development opportunities
  • Employee engagement initiatives
Full Job Description

Location:

Michigan City, Indiana, United States

Job ID:

Date Posted:

2026-09-22

Company Name:

HITACHI GLOBAL AIR POWER US, LLC

Profession (Job Category):

Production & Skilled Trades

Job Schedule: 

Full time

Remote:

No

Job Description:

Summary of the position:

                       

As a Value Stream Leader (VSL), you serve and perform a critical role in the successful development of a team culture focused on employee engagement and development, and operational execution. The VSL is ultimately accountable for every aspect of the specific assigned manufacturing area - from hiring, training, developing, and managing your team members, executing the production plan, implementing and improving the processes, to maximizing performance against Key Performance Indicators - Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, Productivity and Engagement (SQDIP-E).

The Value Stream Leader position will be on site at the Hitachi Global Air Power facility in Michigan City, Indiana, and will report to the Value Stream Manager.

Duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to:

The Value Stream Leader is an integral and vital position with the Value Stream Management organization.  She / he is the “front-line manger” of the assigned value stream in operations.  As a VSL, some of the duties, responsibilities will include:

  • Safety: Drive proactive safety observations, Safety Audits, Safety KYKs and Safety KAI ZENs – provide training as required. Prioritize safety daily – ensuring team members remain safe while performing daily functions. Identify and investigate any unsafe situations – with focus on implementing robust countermeasures to reduce or eliminate the risk. Comply with and monitor 6S in the workplace.

  • Quality: Confirm quality is evident in daily work – delivering high quality product that meets all customer and daily satisfaction and completion of all quality documentation (TQCs, QN, etc.) Ensure the team members work  according to regulatory guidelines - providing coaching as necessary to earn and retain ISO and other regulatory certifications. Identify, coach and implement quality improvements to reduce scrap.

  • Delivery: Accountable for daily schedule meeting rate and On-Time Delivery (OTD) requirements. Problem solves for OTD misses – owning or assisting from problem definition, root cause investigation and permanent corrective action implementation. Strategically work with her / his Value Stream Manger and cross-functional support to improve efficiencies.

  • Inventory: in accordance with WIP targets for the value stream, manages the daily output aligning the production to not exceed the WIP.  Focuses on value-stream “line-side” presentation and location of all components leading to the effective and efficient work for the team members, drives inventory reduction and notes where “over inventory” stocking is occurring and works with Production Control / Planning and Supply-chain to reduce excessive inventory in her / his GEMBA.

Duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to: continued

  • Productivity: Owns problem solving centered on staffing levels vs. required output to ensure the value stream  can successfully fulfill the daily, weekly delivery schedule while optimizing cost. Lead (directly or indirectly) the team to implement labor cost reduction projects and process improvements. Hold team accountable to hourly output expectations, collaborate to ensure downtime is resolved immediately and apply permanent counter measures where applicable.

  • Supervisory responsibilities: Completing time & attendance regularly – ensuring employee time-off and work schedules allows for deliveries to be met. Creating a culture focused on qualitative performance that is transparent and measurable, development-based and engagement focused. Hiring and onboarding of new associates – including training when required. Analyzing headcount requirements to ensure we are maximizing delivery performance and optimizing cost.  Preparing and delivering yearly performance evaluations (including performance and development goals).

  • Owns the continuous improvement culture for the value stream: responsible for the Daily Management (SQDIP-E) – ensuring metrics and targets align with business/plant objectives. Owning the problem-solving process to understand gaps in value stream (and cell) performance. Identifying waste and trends from daily management to develop Kaizen charters. Participating, leading, and facilitating kaizen events. Seizing the opportunities to train and develop your team in C/I tools. Promote a diverse and inclusive learning environment. Drive the cross-training associates to ensure labor capacities meet required workload and minimize risk of downtime due to skill sets. Emphasize employee involvement and empower team to deliver great results.

  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education:

  • BS Degree in Engineering, and / or applicable years of manufacturing experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities  

Professional experience:

  • 10 + years of functional manufacturing operations experience with special emphasis on continuous improvement and organizational transformation
  • Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of an organization (internal/external) and across global nationalities and cultures
  • High level of expertise in the use of analytical tools such as Excel and ERP systems.
  • Capable and comfortable driving improvements and results within a matrix structure
  • Strong presentation skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills and professional demeanor

Key behaviors:

  • Candidate must work well in a cross-functional and matrix environment. Strict attention to detail. Must be results-oriented, high energy, and a representative of the Hitachi Global Air Power Values.

Direct reports:

  • Include direct reports – team members, technicians, maintenance personnel and others as assigned. 

The successful candidate is responsible for complying with Hitachi Global Air Power US Code of Ethics and related policies. In performing the job, the incumbent shall take all steps necessary to comply with our safety rules and requirements and must actively support the organization's efforts to meet and exceed its goals of creating and maintaining a safe workplace.

This description is to serve as a guide. It is intended to be flexible and will continue to evolve over time with business needs and demands and may be updated periodically and at the Company's discretion.

About Hitachi America

Hitachi America is a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., a Japanese multinational conglomerate. They provide a wide range of products and services, including information technology, power systems, and social infrastructure. They work with clients in a variety of industries, including healthcare, transportation, and finance. They are committed to sustainability and social responsibility, and have implemented various initiatives to reduce their environmental impact.
Learn more about Hitachi America
Size
368,247 employees
Industry
Founded
1959
NASDAQ

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