Value Stream Manager

Value Stream ManagerLocation: Longview, TexasCompensation: $150,000–$185,000 base salary + 25% Annual Incentive Plan + 25% Long-Term Incentive PlanEmployment Type: Full-timeAbout the CompanyHireIQ Solutions is leading the search for a Value Stream Manager at a US manufacturer of engineered-to-order HVAC and thermal management systems serving mission-critical and commercial/industrial environments. The company designs and manufactures highly customized equipment and continues to invest in production capability, operational excellence, and cross-functional execution across its manufacturing footprint. We are working directly with the Site Director at the Longview location to make this hire.About the RoleThe Value Stream Manager will report directly to the Site Director and lead a major operating area within the Longview manufacturing site. This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who can run a value stream like a business — combining technical manufacturing credibility, frontline leadership, Lean execution, safety and quality discipline, and financial acumen.The company is building out its value stream leadership structure in Longview, and this role will be part of establishing that operating model. The position will oversee Production Managers and lead a defined business unit or production area with responsibility for safety, quality, delivery, cost, people, equipment performance, and continuous improvement. Current areas of focus include coil-related operations and sheet metal fabrication. Depending on the assigned value stream, the role may include responsibility for complex, equipment-heavy manufacturing processes such as coils, sheet metal fabrication, lasers, punch presses, progressive machines, and related industrial production equipment.Key ResponsibilitiesLead an assigned manufacturing value stream with accountability for safety, quality, delivery, cost, people, and operational performance.Report directly to the Site Director and help establish the value stream organization structure within the Longview facility.Oversee Production Managers and build strong frontline leadership capability through coaching, accountability, standard work, and disciplined execution.Run the assigned value stream as a business unit, with ownership of performance, priorities, labor planning, equipment readiness, and financial outcomes.Lead daily operations across production, safety, quality, maintenance, continuous improvement, planning, and manufacturing execution.Align staffing, capacity, materials, scheduling, and maintenance readiness to meet customer demand and on-time delivery commitments.Establish operating rhythms, tiered accountability, visual management, and standard work to drive predictable execution.Identify and remove constraints that impact safety, quality, throughput, lead time, and delivery performance.Partner closely with Planning, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, EHS, and site leadership to synchronize priorities and deliver results.Champion a safety-first culture and ensure strong adherence to site safety practices, OSHA expectations, and risk management processes.Support quality system execution, corrective actions, audit readiness, first-pass yield improvement, and reduction of defects or escapes.Lead Lean manufacturing initiatives, including value stream mapping, flow improvement, structured problem solving, waste reduction, and continuous improvement.Improve productivity, labor effectiveness, equipment utilization, material flow, and overall operating performance.Define, monitor, and act on leading and lagging indicators to improve throughput, quality, safety, delivery, and cost.Build a culture of ownership, urgency, accountability, and continuous improvement across the assigned value stream.Qualifications• 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, ideally in automotive Tier 1, automotive OEM, high-scale industrial manufacturing, metal fabrication, HVAC, machinery, components, or similarly complex manufacturing environments.• Experience as a Value Stream Manager, Plant Manager, Manufacturing Operations Manager, Operations Manager, Business Unit Manager, Manufacturing Manager, or large-scope Production Manager.• Proven experience leading manufacturing operations at scale, including direct or indirect leadership of Production Managers, Supervisors, or equivalent frontline leaders.• Strong Lean manufacturing background, including value stream mapping, standard work, flow improvement, Kaizen, structured problem solving, and daily management systems.• Ability to run an operation as a business, including exposure to P&L, budgets, labor planning, cost management, productivity, and business performance metrics.• Strong technical manufacturing credibility, especially in equipment-heavy production environments.• Experience with safety, environmental compliance, and quality systems.• Exposure to IATF, ISO 9001, or similar quality management systems is strongly preferred.• Maintenance and equipment reliability experience, or experience working closely with Maintenance teams in complex manufacturing environments.• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Business, or a related field is preferred.• Master's degree is a plus.• Spanish language capability is a plus, as a significant portion of the workforce is Spanish-speaking.Technical Experience PreferredDepending on the assigned value stream, relevant technical experience may include:Sheet metal fabricationLaser cuttingPunch presses / punching processesProgressive machinesCoil manufacturing or coil-related operationsCopper or industrial component manufacturingHigh-volume production equipmentEquipment-heavy manufacturing operationsMaintenance-intensive production environmentsIdeal Candidate ProfileThe ideal candidate has operated beyond a narrow production leadership role. This person has led a meaningful manufacturing operation, business unit, value stream, or smaller plant with responsibility for people, equipment, safety, quality, delivery, cost, and continuous improvement.This role is well suited for someone who has grown up in a disciplined manufacturing environment and understands how to lead from the floor while also managing the business side of operations. Automotive Tier 1 experience is highly valued because of the Lean, quality, safety, and operating discipline associated with that environment, though candidates from other high-scale manufacturing sectors may also be considered.Work Environment & Physical Requirements• This role operates in a manufacturing environment with regular interaction across production and functional teams.• Requires a hands-on operations leader who is comfortable spending time on the floor, engaging with frontline teams, and driving accountability at the point of execution.• Work environment may include standard manufacturing conditions, complex production equipment, and regular cross-functional interaction with operations, quality, maintenance, engineering, planning, supply chain, and EHS.Why JoinThis is an opportunity to step into a highly visible operations leadership role reporting directly to the Site Director at a growing manufacturing site in Longview, Texas. The company is building its value stream organization, and this leader will have the opportunity to help shape the structure, cadence, culture, and performance of a major operating area. For the right candidate, this is a strong next step from a smaller plant, business unit, or large production operation into a broader role with significant people, equipment, Lean, quality, safety, and business ownership. This is a chance to lead meaningful manufacturing scope, develop Production Managers, improve flow and execution, and help build a stronger operating system in a complex, customized manufacturing environment.