Value Stream Manager
My client is seeking an experienced and driven Value Stream Leader to join our Operations team. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a critical manufacturing value stream within a world-class photonics and infrared optics business serving demanding aerospace, defence and industrial markets.
As a Value Stream Manager/Leader, you will be responsible for driving operational performance, continuous improvement and team development across a highly specialised manufacturing environment. You will lead production teams, engineers and coordinators while taking accountability for operational delivery, quality, cost, safety and customer satisfaction.
This role is ideal for a manufacturing leader with a passion for Lean principles, people leadership and continuous improvement who thrives in a technically advanced production environment.
What You’ll Be Doing
Lead Operational Performance
- Manage the day-to-day performance of a manufacturing value stream, ensuring delivery against safety, quality, cost and delivery objectives.
- Take ownership of value stream P&L performance and drive improvements in productivity, efficiency and profitability.
- Lead multi-disciplinary teams including production personnel, engineers and coordinators.
- Monitor operational KPIs and implement actions to improve On-Time Delivery (OTD), lead times, yields and quality performance.
Drive Continuous Improvement
- Apply Lean Manufacturing, Value Stream Mapping and 80/20 principles to identify and eliminate waste.
- Lead Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives focused on cycle time reduction, throughput improvement and process stability.
- Establish future-state manufacturing flows that support business growth and customer requirements.
- Implement and sustain 5S standards across manufacturing and cleanroom environments.
Optimise Manufacturing Processes
- Support manufacturing operations covering precision fabrication, optical coating, assembly and inspection activities.
- Work closely with Engineering teams to support New Product Introduction (NPI) and efficient production layouts.
- Help maximise equipment utilisation and manufacturing capacity while reducing bottlenecks.
- Support the maintenance, calibration and effective operation of manufacturing equipment.
Champion Quality and Compliance
- Ensure compliance with AS9100, ISO standards and customer-specific quality requirements.
- Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions relating to quality and scrap reduction.
- Drive a culture of quality-focused manufacturing and continuous process improvement.
- Maintain audit readiness across the value stream at all times.
Develop and Inspire People
- Coach, mentor and develop team members to achieve high performance.
- Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous learning.
- Cross-train employees to improve flexibility and eliminate single-point dependencies.
- Support succession planning and skills development within the organisation.
What We’re Looking For
Essential
- Proven experience leading teams within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement experience.
- Demonstrated success in driving operational performance and process improvements.
- Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Understanding of manufacturing processes, engineering drawings and quality systems.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced production environment.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations or Business with experience in manufacturing supervision/leadership; or
- Associate Degree with relevant manufacturing leadership experience; or
- Significant equivalent experience in a manufacturing leadership role.
Desirable
- Experience within optics, photonics, semiconductor, aerospace, defence or other high-precision manufacturing environments.
- Knowledge of Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, Six Sigma or other Lean methodologies.
- Experience managing operational budgets and P&L performance.
- Understanding of cleanroom and highly regulated manufacturing environments
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Value Stream Manager employer: AM Global
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