1. Job Purpose/Summary:
The Value Stream Manager – Fabrication will directly manage team members within the fabrication value stream to exceed operational KPI targets, advance company culture, and develop a strong talent pipeline. This role provides leadership for welding, fabrication, and Engineered-to-Order manufacturing operations while driving continuous improvement initiatives in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Growth to support Polydeck's Operational Excellence journey and profitability.
2. Essential Functions/Responsibilities:
- Engagement & Culture – Exemplify servant leadership principles, lead with passion, care for others, and drive for excellence. Foster a positive work atmosphere where team members feel appreciated, praised, challenged, and cared for.
- Safety – Establish & sustain a ZERO-incident mindset with team; focused on courage to care and driving down safety risks across department. Partner with EHS Manager to implement actions within Safety Framework strategy.
- Quality – Strive for process standardization, first-time accuracy, and variation reduction to produce world class products within each opportunity. Leverage dedicated Quality Team Members to proactively identify unfavorable process elements, deploy formal problem-solving tools, and exceed COPQ targets.
- Delivery – Coordinate and execute production schedule to delight customers with on-time shipments at best-in-class lead times. Treat customer expedites with rapid response and utmost importance. Strategically plan staffing levels & equipment to meet incoming order rates as effectively as possible. Work tightly with Customer Service, Engineering, and Supply Chain to optimize operational flow or material and information to the shop floor.
- Cost – Achieve optimum efficiency, throughput, and variable spending to outperform Gross Margin percent targets; thus, maximizing company profitability returns. Intense focus on welding automation and work order variance reduction.
- Growth – Support value stream related R&D projects and new product launches. Research and recommend innovative production solutions & technologies and expand manufacturing throughput capacity. Stay closely connected with Manufacturing Engineering Team Members to deploy capital and flex staffing levels in-line with new product sales ramp up. Partner with Supply Chain to activate the outsource strategy when demand far exceeds internal capacity.
- Talent – Partner with HR to attract, select, and retain the very best people in the market; ensuring that new hires receive effective, timely, and gratifying on-boarding experience. Remain aware of local market trends, competitive wage analysis, and evolving labor skills.
- Compliance - Ensure compliance of safety, environmental, ISO, and professional standards within the facility. Closely monitor welding certification status and proactively plan appropriate training and re-certification of team members.
- Value Stream Tracking Center – Link annual KPI’s with value stream tracking center tool to ensure weekly activities are aligned with high level objectives. Maximize improvement initiatives through pareto analysis and frequent check-ins with team members.
- Perform related duties as required.
3. Skills/Certifications:
- Six Sigma training and certification is a plus.
- Value Stream Mapping is a plus.
- Formal Lean training and certification is a plus.
- Knowledge utilizing Power BI is desired.
- Leadership role within a custom business or Engineer-to-Order environment is strongly desired.
4. Minimum Education & Work Experience Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in business or engineering is strongly preferred.
- Pursuit of Advanced Degree is desired.
- 7-10 years of experience in a Manufacturing Leadership, welding, metal fabrication, or Engineered-to-Order manufacturing environments required.
- AWS Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS) or Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) preferred.
- Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma certification preferred.
5. Necessary Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Leadership – Proven ability to effectively guide teams through adversity while maintaining a positive attitude & solution-focus
- Problem Solving – Approach challenges with data, collaboration, and innovation; governed by lean principles.
- Change Agent – Provide a spark for operational improvements, harnessing the energy of others and inspiring the team to continuously improve.
- Welding & Fabrication – Working knowledge of welding processes, fabrication methods, weld quality standards, weld symbols, engineered drawings and Engineered-to-Order manufacturing environments.
- Financial Analysis – Navigate financial statements to determine Gross Margin & budgetary areas of focus; subsequently linking together appropriate actions to enhance performance.
- Software – Microsoft Office, Teams, Project, Minitab, Visual
- Technical Knowledge – Basic understanding of molding, quality measurement systems, engineering drawings, and industrial equipment.
- Six Sigma – Green belt or black belt certification; and demonstrated abilities to utilize statistical tools is preferred.
6. Supervisory Responsibility & Budget Accountability:
- Direct-line responsibility for 45 employees.
- Responsible for 30/60/90-day reviews for new hires.
- Conduct annual reviews for all team members.
- Address performance commitment policy per the handbook.
- Approve vacation schedules of team.
- Coordinate & announce overtime when business conditions are necessary.
- Create & maintain cross training matrix for team members.
- Collaborate with other Value Stream Managers to share single-point resources.
- Moderate responsibility for the safety of others.
- The job is performed in an office and manufacturing environment where dust and noise are prevalent.
7. Other Comments:
- Uses independent judgement and discretion based upon the employee’s experience in the position and knowledge of the products, equipment, and services.
- Moderate levels of stress may be experienced in the performance of the job.
- Position is performed in a combined office and manufacturing environment (non-conditioned).
