Value Stream Leader

Web Industries Inc•Fort Wayne, IN

About The Position

The Value Stream Leader coordinates activities for a defined value stream with relevant functional stakeholders to ensure customer requirements are met or exceeded. Using knowledge of the value stream and process capabilities, the role eliminates waste across operations from start to finish and uses Lean tools to support communication, execution, and accountability. The position drives implementation, alignment, and execution of business processes to maximize value. The Value Stream Leader owns and maintains the value stream map for a defined product family and is accountable for the value stream’s financial and operational performance, including sales output, margin, overhead budget, and on-time delivery. The role coordinates daily production and continuous improvement, collaborates across functions, and maintains a strong presence on the plant floor to understand processes, identify improvement opportunities, and engage employees in solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in organizational development, Process Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least 5 years of successful leadership experience with increasing levels of responsibility in manufacturing.
At least 5 years of successful continuous improvement experience using Lean Six Sigma tools and visual factory.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel, and the ability to quickly learn new systems.
Experience driving Lean manufacturing principles and implementing or understanding production systems, including setting and maintaining meaningful metrics to drive improvement.
Experience interacting with customers at high levels of the organization.
Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
Facilitation and coaching skills, particularly across functions.
Ability to overcome resistance to organizational change, influence hourly and salaried employees to embrace change, and lead change initiatives.

Nice To Haves

Lean Certified and/or Six Sigma Black Belt.
Experience in high-volume production environments.
Knowledge of film extrusion and/or converting.
Experience in medical device manufacturing and with cGMP.

Responsibilities

Own and maintain the value stream map for a defined product family from start to finish.
Achieve the value stream’s financial requirements through operational output (sales), margin performance, overhead budget (profit), and on-time delivery (cash).
Coordinate daily production activities and continuous improvement efforts within the assigned value stream.
Drive performance and operational discipline using Lean processes and tools, including daily accounting processes, leader standard work, managing systems, standard KPIs, 6S, and troubleshooting techniques.
Collaborate with Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Human Resources to support product quality, customer service, manufacturing cost objectives, new product commercialization launches, machine reliability and performance improvements, and recruitment and retention.
Conduct GEMBA walks with stakeholders to develop learnings and best practices and identify improvement opportunities.
Execute the operational team plan, identifying key actions needed during the fiscal year to meet operational goals and commitments.
Maintain value stream information boards and prepare reports and daily status updates as required.
Attend and participate in daily Operations Team meetings and other scheduled meetings.
Ensure materials are planned and requisitioned to meet production schedules, inventory is accurately maintained and issued, and variances are properly managed.
Partner with customers to understand their needs and issues and ensure satisfactory service standards.
Maintain a high level of plant-floor presence to build process knowledge, identify improvement opportunities, and engage employees at all levels in finding solutions.