Value Stream Manager - Fabrication

Value Stream Manager – Fabrication

Location: Eagle, Wisconsin

Work Model: Onsite (Manufacturing Facility) Type: Full-Time

The Value Stream Manager will lead end-to-end operational performance for a metal fabrication value stream at its Eagle, WI manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for driving safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance using the Manufacturing System and Lean principles. The Value Stream Manager will lead daily operations and continuous improvement initiatives focused on creating continuous flow, implementing pull systems where applicable, leveling workload, increasing team capability through training and standard work, and achieving consistent metric performance across daily/monthly/quarterly/yearly targets. The ideal candidate is a strong people leader with a cost, quality, and efficiency mindset and hands-on exposure to fabrication operations such as lasers, turrets, press brakes, welding, robotic welding, and sheet metal assembly processes. This site is expanding fabrication assets and growing capability to supply sheet metal parts to Beaver Dam.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Value Stream in daily operations and continuous improvement activities (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost).
• Drive creation of continuous product flow, implement pull systems (Kanban) and level workload to optimize throughput.
• Ensure standardized work and processes are followed, countermeasures are implemented, and safety improvements are driven.
• Build a culture of stopping to fix problems, ensuring quality is achieved "right the first time."
• Instill and maintain a positive, can-do team environment with strong employee engagement and empowerment.
• Design and direct work of the functional area; select, coach, and develop team members aligned with company strategy.
• Lead performance management, succession planning, talent development, and continuous feedback delivery.
• Utilize PDCA process along with MDI process to deliver metric performance results.
• Create and maintain a visual value stream to ensure issues are visible and addressed quickly.
• Perform Leader Standard Work to ensure consistent execution of processes and procedures.
• Ensure effective training and cross-training plans are implemented, including backup coverage from other areas.
• Develop and execute short and long-range CI plans to deliver improvements across people, safety, quality, delivery & cost.
• Lead and coordinate successful New Product Introductions (NPI) within Operations.
• Participate in development and implementation of facility strategic plans and initiatives.
• Facilitate information sharing across best practices, benchmarking, and continuous improvement programs.

Required Qualifications (Must-Haves)

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or related field OR equivalent experience

• 5+ years progressive operations leadership and/or Lean management experience

• Strong leadership and operational execution mindset with focus on safety, quality, efficiency, and cost

Preferred Qualifications (Nice-To-Haves)

• 3–5 years experience in sheet metal fabrication including:

• Cutting / Lasers
• Punching / Turrets
• Forming / Press brakes
• Welding / Robotic welding
• Painting exposure (preferred)

• 3+ years demonstrated Lean implementation experience

• Lean / Operations / Supply Chain certifications

• SAP or equivalent ERP system experience

• Demonstrated experience in:

• Flow principles
• Kanban / Pull systems
• PFEP (Plan For Every Part)

• Strong leadership experience with diverse skilled teams

Core Skills

• Value Stream leadership (Safety / Quality / Delivery / Cost)

• Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Client/Client-like systems

• PDCA, MDI, Standard Work, Leader Standard Work

• Fabrication operations knowledge (laser/turret/press brake/welding/robotic welding)

• Team coaching, cross-training, engagement and empowerment culture

• KPI ownership and execution discipline

• NPI Leadership and operational launch readiness

• ERP exposure (SAP preferred)

• Strong problem solving and operational decision-making