Value Stream Manager

Location: Bedford

Salary: 45,000 - Depending on Experience

Proactive are currently in search of a Value Stream Manager in Bedford to start work as soon as possible. This is an exciting opportunity working for a market leader in the design and manufacturing of industrial braking solutions.

As a Value Stream Manager, you will be responsible for eliminating waste in the overall supply-chain from start to finish, for a defined product family and ensuring that the value stream meets/exceeds the customer's expectations. You will also manage the materials related functions including but not limited to Production Scheduling, Purchasing, and Inventory Control.

Responsibilities:

• Ensuring that a current state value stream map is created of the end-to-end value stream.
• Conducting fact-based analysis of the current state map.
• Preparing an ideal state map showing what the value stream could look like in the long term.
• Defining the product family by conducting product routing analysis and appropriate groupings.
• Preparation of a future state map that uses lean techniques to remove waste and improve process value in the short to mid-term.
• Leading the day to day activities within the value stream to ensure that current commitments are achieved while improvements are being made.
• Managing the activities of the shop floor within their value stream, machining processing and assembly, under the direction of the Director of Operations and follow established procedures and approved processes.
• Leading and mobilising the people inside and outside of the value stream to enable the required changes (including customers and suppliers).
• Manage the purchasing and inventory control functions of their value stream in order to meet on time delivery goals and other company metrics.
• Compile and maintain manual or computerised records such as material inventory, in process production reports and status and location of materials within the SAP/MRP system.
• Ability to perform root cause analysis and resolve problems.
• Reviews visual schedules and related information to co-ordinate the planning and forecasting of customer orders to meet shipments.
• Experience in the utilisation of Kanban and other lean manufacturing techniques to improve inventory turns and total working capital management.
• Working closely with other departments such as Engineering and Sales on new product development and other related projects.
• Supervise all Value Stream members under their responsibility in both shifts.
• Supervise the shop floor through one or more Team Leaders.
• 1st Gemba Walk: Arrange support requirements (Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Materials). Deal with all personnel issues. Review and respond to expedite requests (Y or N).
• 2nd Gemba Walk: Deal with abnormalities. Check performance metrics at all cells in the value stream. Follow up on expedite requests.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Have thorough knowledge of all manufacturing methods, techniques and related equipment.
• Familiarity with product construction and application.
• Have complete knowledge of production scheduling and shop operations.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities and easily adapt to changing situations.
• Be computer literate, particularly in shop floor control, production planning and inventory control systems.
• Be highly organised, self-motivated and can work independently.
• Have strong leadership skills with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Able to demonstrate competence in problem solving, team building, planning and decision making.
• Have a working knowledge of lean or TPS principles.
• High mix / Low volume machine shop experience.

Education & Experience:

• You should hold a recognised technical engineering qualification.
• You should be able to demonstrate 5 - 10 years of progressive manufacturing experience and responsibilities of which the most recent 3 years must be in a supervisory capacity - Desirable.
• Requires broad technical and administrative experience in a manufacturing machine shop environment.

How to Apply:

For more information on the role, or an informal discussion regarding opportunities we have available, please contact Jemal Tawfieg.

Proactive Global is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.

Proactive Global is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.