Value Stream Operations Manager

Xylem • Cheektowaga, NY

12h • $130,000 - $150,000

About The Position

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions. The Role: Lead. Optimize. Transform. We are seeking a high-impact Value Stream Operations Manager to take full ownership of end-to-end operations for a defined product family within our manufacturing environment. This is not a maintenance role — it is a business leadership role inside the plant. You will drive safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance while leading a cross-functional team to execute strategic improvements and achieve operational excellence. If you are a strong Lean leader who thrives on accountability, performance metrics, and developing people, this is your opportunity to make measurable impact. This position directly influences operational performance, customer satisfaction, and business profitability. You will have visibility, autonomy, and the opportunity to shape the future of your value stream. If you are a hands-on leader who: Takes ownership of results Leads from the floor, not just from reports Builds strong teams and drives accountability Thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

Requirements

• Technical Expertise Deep experience with Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Strong understanding of welding, machining, fabrication, and production workflow optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to improve throughput, reduce waste, and optimize capacity.
• Experience managing budgets, cost controls, and KPI performance.
• Ability to analyze data and translate insights into action.
• Leadership & Business Acumen 10+ years of manufacturing operations or production leadership experience.
• Track record of leading teams and delivering measurable operational results.
• Skilled in change management and building high-performance teams.
• Strong financial and business mindset — understands how operations drive profitability.
• Experience leading cross-functional collaboration in a complex manufacturing environment.
• Education & Certifications Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field (Master’s preferred).

Nice To Haves

• Lean / Six Sigma certification strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a cross-functional value stream team to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets.
• Own performance metrics and drive accountability through KPI management and visual management systems.
• Develop and execute value stream strategies aligned with company goals.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing initiatives to eliminate waste and improve flow.
• Oversee production planning, scheduling, and resource allocation to meet customer demand.
• Partner with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and other departments to resolve constraints and improve processes.
• Drive financial performance through cost control, labor optimization, and waste reduction.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies.
• Build a culture of engagement, ownership, and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• At Xylem we offer a competitive compensation package with a generous benefit package, including Medical, Dental, Vision plans, 401(k) with company contribution, paid time off, paid parental leave and tuition reimbursement.
• At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark.
• We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG).

What This Job Offers

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