The Value Stream Manager has direct leadership responsibility for manufacturing operations, maintenance, production planning, and a mechanical engineering team, ensuring alignment across functions to achieve business objectives, optimize value stream performance, and support successful product launches and operational readiness. This role provides strategic leadership to drive operational excellence, strengthen organizational accountability, develop frontline leaders, and deliver sustainable business results. Working cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, and Human Resources, the Value Stream Manager leads operational strategy, capacity planning, talent development, and continuous improvement initiatives that support growth and customer satisfaction.
What You'll DoOperational Leadership- Lead all aspects of value stream performance, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, productivity, and employee engagement.
- Provide leadership and direction for manufacturing operations, maintenance, production planning, and a small manufacturing engineering team to ensure alignment with business priorities and customer requirements.
- Develop and execute operational strategies that improve throughput, optimize resources, increase capacity, and support business growth.
- Drive performance through KPI management, visual controls, data-driven decision making, and disciplined operating reviews.
- Ensure equipment reliability and asset performance through effective maintenance strategies, preventive maintenance programs, and continuous improvement of maintenance processes.
- Lead capital investment, equipment acquisition, workforce planning, and capacity planning initiatives.
Continuous Improvement- Champion Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives across the value stream.
- Lead problem-solving, waste elimination, and process improvement efforts that improve productivity, lead times, inventory performance, and profitability.
- Implement and sustain manufacturing technologies, systems, and best practices that enhance operational performance and customer satisfaction.
Quality, Safety & Compliance- Foster a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with all environmental, health, safety, and regulatory requirements.
- Ensure quality systems and processes consistently meet customer expectations and business objectives.
- Maintain accountability for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and the effectiveness of internal controls within assigned areas.
Cross-Functional Leadership- Partner with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Customer Service teams to optimize end-to-end value stream performance.
- Lead supply chain and inventory strategies that balance customer service, material availability, inventory investment, and working capital objectives.
- Lead New Product Development (NPD) launches activities within the value stream, ensuring manufacturing readiness, capacity planning, process validation, resource alignment, and successful transition from development to production.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to support product enhancements, manufacturability improvements, process optimization, and long-term operational scalability.
Talent Development- Build, coach, and develop high-performing teams and future leaders.
- Create a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous learning.
- Lead organizational change initiatives and effectively communicate priorities, expectations, and results across all levels of the organization.
What You'll Bring- Bachelor's degree in engineering, Operations Management, Business, Supply Chain, or related field; MBA preferred.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
- Demonstrated success leading a value stream, manufacturing operation, or business unit with accountability for safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, productivity, and people performance.
- Proven track record of driving measurable improvements in productivity, throughput, capacity utilization, inventory optimization, lead times, and operational profitability.
- Experience leading a manufacturing operation through significant growth, transformation, operational turnaround, business integration, or cultural change.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, including manufacturing operations, maintenance, production planning, and engineering functions.
- Experience supporting or leading New Product Development (NPD) launches, including manufacturing readiness, production ramp-up, and cross-functional project leadership.
- Demonstrated success improving equipment reliability, maintenance effectiveness, and overall asset utilization.
- Demonstrated history of building accountability and improving performance through frontline leadership development, standard work, performance management systems, and disciplined operating rhythms.
- Experience leading salaried leaders and supervisors in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience in a high-mix, mid-volume manufacturing environment.
- Strong Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, or Toyota Production System (TPS) experience.
- Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and execute strategic initiatives.
- Strong business and financial acumen with the ability to connect operational performance to business results.
- Experience in leading capital projects and operational improvement initiatives.
- Experience in manufacturing metal products is preferred.
Leadership Competencies:- Strategic and results-oriented leader
- Strong coach and developer of people
- Effective communicator and collaborator
- Data-driven decision maker
- Change agent who drives accountability and execution.
- Strong project management and organizational skills
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while balancing competing priorities.
