Value Stream Manager

The Gund Company • Walnut, CA

2d

About The Position

The Value Stream Manager (VSM) reports to the Plant Manager and oversees the order fulfillment process—from quoting through shipping and invoicing—for an assigned market. The role is responsible for developing and managing the performance of plant personnel in the value stream, and directing and coordinating facility production operations through subordinate supervisors and/or team leads. These operations may include assembly, machining, processing, treating, packaging, and shipping.

The VSM leads day-to-day manufacturing performance and continuous improvement, including safety, quality, delivery, throughput, cost, and inventory. The role coordinates with customer service, business development, estimating, sales, and plant leadership to support customers and meet production demand. It also manages the value stream budget, develops employees, and oversees personnel processes such as hiring, training, recognition, discipline, and performance management.

The work environment combines office, manufacturing, and warehouse settings. The position requires regular talking, hearing, standing, walking, and use of hands; frequent sitting, reaching, and lifting or moving up to 10 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Gund Company describes itself as 30% employee-owned through an ESOP, with shares awarded annually based on company profitability, employee tenure, and earnings, with no out-of-pocket investment required. The position offers a salary of $84,679 to $91,995 per year.

Requirements

• Ability to lead and influence people and teams.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, verbally and in writing.
• Very good math skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Technical competence and ability to provide clear direction.
• A bachelor’s degree in a technical field and four years of management experience, or a similar combination of education and experience.
• At least two years of experience in a manufacturing industry.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of quality concepts such as SPC, TQM, and JIT.
• Knowledge of quality systems such as ISO 9000, Six Sigma, and Zero Defects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee, monitor, and continuously improve the day-to-day manufacturing process.
• Promote a safe work environment through participation in Safety Gemba walks and investigations of near misses and workplace accidents.
• Review cost data and recommend changes to methods, equipment, tooling, or materials to improve quality and efficiency while minimizing costs and lead times.
• Achieve manufacturing goals for quality, delivery reliability, order fill time, inventory as a percentage of sales, utilization, and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with the company’s Quality Management System and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Share locally developed best practices and adopt practices from other facilities to standardize processes.
• Lead kaizens and train direct reports to lead kaizens that solve business problems.
• Implement visual management systems to facilitate order fulfillment and manage the value stream through SDB, VLC, and DDBs.
• Coordinate with customer service, business development, estimating, and sales to address technical product inquiries, analyze customer returns and complaints, resolve backorders, and provide manufacturing expertise for new product development.
• Maintain the facility in tour-ready condition for customer visits.
• Drive production throughput to meet customer specifications and company profitability goals.
• Work with plant leadership to set shift schedules and assign production personnel to meet customer demand.
• Ensure availability of personnel, tooling, equipment, facilities, programming, and raw material.
• Lead the NCM process to reduce rework and eliminate customer complaints.
• Work with the plant leadership team to eliminate waste throughout order fulfillment.
• Participate in gross profit reviews to eliminate money-losing jobs and continuously improve estimating.
• Develop and implement the budget for the assigned value stream, monitor costs against budget, and take action to address variances.
• Set expectations for subordinates, monitor performance, and ensure team members are qualified and trained.
• Provide feedback and recognition, and use the IDP process to support team members’ development goals.
• Promote accountability through positive behavior modeling, proactive conflict resolution, and courageous conversations.
• Assist with and oversee hiring, promotions, recognition, discipline, and performance management within the assigned value stream.
• Develop direct reports to support their personal and professional goals.

Benefits

• Employee ownership through a 30% employee-owned ESOP; shares are awarded annually based on company profitability, employee tenure, and earnings, with no out-of-pocket investment required.
• Safe and healthy work environment.
• Competitive wages.
• Health, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits.
• 401(k) retirement savings program with a 50% employer match up to 6% of contributions.
• Regular employee feedback through the Individual Development Plan (IDP).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager