Lean Manager

Lean Manager

The Value Stream Manager is responsible for the overall performance of a designated value stream, acting as the business leader. This role involves owning SQDIP performance (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, and Productivity) and collaborating across various departments such as Operations, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Customer Service to eliminate constraints, improve flow, and drive operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and improve end-to-end SQDIP performance through data-driven problem solving and corrective actions.
• Develop supervisors and frontline leaders to enhance their capabilities.
• Drive disciplined daily management processes, ensuring issues are identified, escalated, and resolved effectively.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives that reduce waste and sustain operational gains.
• Manage people, materials, and equipment resources to meet customer demand.
• Own the value stream's operational and financial performance.
• Determine staffing levels, line changeovers, line stoppages, supervisor hiring, process change approvals, and spending within authorized limits.
• Partner with various departments on production priorities, workforce planning, process improvements, inventory management, and budget issues.
• Ensure safe, on-time delivery, quality performance, and schedule attainment.
• Use daily SQDIP management to identify gaps, drive corrective actions, and improve flow.
• Remove constraints across labor, materials, equipment, and processes to reduce variation and increase efficiency.
• Lead new product and process launches by coordinating training, documentation, capacity, and material readiness.
• Maintain clear escalation processes and ensure issues are addressed at the appropriate level.
• Report value stream performance, trends, root causes, and improvement plans to leadership.

Essential Skills

• High school diploma/GED required.
• Experience and success in a Value Stream leadership role with proven ability to deliver SQDIP improvements.
• 5+ years' experience in manufacturing leadership roles with Lean/Continuous Improvement experience.
• Leadership ability with prior supervisory experience, including multi-shift operations.
• Proficient computer skills (MS Excel, MS Word, ERP systems).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering preferred.
• Experience with 5Y, root cause analysis, and Kaizen.
• Six Sigma and Single-Piece Flow (One-Piece Flow) experience.
• Lean Six Sigma certification is a plus.

Work Environment

The work environment offers a fast-paced manufacturing setting where this role will gain leadership experience. The facility is recently remodeled with a game room area and is extremely clean. The role involves overseeing at least one direct report, likely a production supervisor. The company values thoughtful design and aims to protect against serious injuries. With a team of 35 people on the first shift and 400 total in the company, candidates should be prepared for some ambiguity and lack of structure in processes.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cleveland, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $67.00 - $72.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Cleveland, OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 7, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.