Value Stream Manager – Fabrication
📍 Location: Eagle, Wisconsin (Onsite)
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time
📈 Seniority Level: Mid-Senior
🕒 Experience Required: 5–7+ years
🎓 Education: Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent experience)
✈️ Travel: Occasional
🌎 Visa Sponsorship: Not available
🚀 Overview
A leading manufacturing organization is seeking a Value Stream Manager – Fabrication to lead end-to-end operations within a key production value stream.
This role is responsible for driving safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance, while embedding lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement across fabrication operations.
🔧 Key Responsibilities
Operations Leadership
Lead daily operations within the value stream to achieve performance targets across:
Safety
Quality
Delivery
Cost
Drive execution of daily, monthly, and annual production goals
Ensure a culture of accountability and operational excellence
Lean & Continuous Improvement
Implement lean methodologies including:
Flow optimization
Pull systems (Kanban)
Standardized work
Apply structured problem-solving methods (PDCA, root cause analysis)
Build a culture focused on “stop to fix” quality mindset
Team Leadership & Development
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team
Manage performance, succession planning, and talent development
Foster a positive, engaged, and collaborative team environment
Process Optimization
Improve production flow and reduce:
Lead times
Inventory levels
Operating costs
Develop and execute short and long-term improvement plans
Ensure cross-training and workforce flexibility
Visual Management & Metrics
Implement visual management systems to surface issues quickly
Drive KPI performance across:
People
Safety
Quality
Delivery
Cost
Ensure consistent execution through leader standard work
New Product Introduction (NPI)
Lead operational readiness and execution for new product launches
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth integration
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with:
Engineering
Supply Chain
Quality
Operations leadership
Share best practices and drive alignment across the facility
✅ Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in:
Engineering
Business
Supply Chain
Or related field (or equivalent experience)
5+ years of experience in:
Operations leadership or lean manufacturing environments
⭐ Preferred Qualifications
Experience in sheet metal fabrication, including:
Cutting
Punching
Forming
Welding
Painting
Hands-on experience with:
Lean principles and implementation
Flow, Kanban, and PFEP (Plan for Every Part)
ERP system experience (e.g., SAP)
Lean / Operations / Supply Chain certifications
🧠 Key Skills
Strong leadership and team development capability
Deep understanding of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement
Problem-solving expertise (5 Why, Fishbone, RCA)
Ability to drive cultural change and employee engagement
Strong analytical and performance management skills
🎯 Ideal Candidate
Proven manufacturing leader with a cost, quality, and efficiency mindset
Strong people leader who can motivate and engage shop floor teams
Hands-on experience in metal fabrication environments (laser, turret, press brake, welding, robotics)
Comfortable operating in high-mix, low-volume production environments
Experience driving operational transformation and scaling production capabilities
💡 What’s on Offer
Competitive salary and full benefits package
Modern manufacturing environment with strong investment in growth
Opportunity to lead a critical value stream with high visibility
Strong culture of teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement