Main Function:
The Value Stream Manager (VSM) is responsible for the organization of assigned activities at the Chestertown facility, ensuring the efficiency of operations and enforcement of LaMotte Quality Standards. The VSM manages production planning, scheduling of area activities, maintains product inventory, and reports on assigned area production metrics. Additionally, the VSM provides continuous communication with upstream production, supply chain, sales, and customer service.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Builds and maintains safe workplace conditions, practices and behaviors which comply with all applicable safety and environmental regulations and internal requirements, conducts proactive safety improvement activities, identifies and corrects safety hazards, and ensures all employees do the same.
- Creates, maintains, and publishes production schedules based on resources, available materials, and risk. Retrospectively reviews delivery metrics to continuously improve production scheduling and planning.
- Ensures that products are manufactured and delivered to the customer in a timely and cost-effective manner while maintaining the highest standard of quality.
- Manages the day-to-day production-related operations.
- Provide direct reports with training, resources, and coaching to fully utilize their capabilities.
- Partners with HR to create and maintain a positive work environment and oversee all aspects of talent management.
- Assigns team members tasks and projects to improve overall operational efficiencies. Utilize “Lean” tools and “6S” techniques to reduce waste.
- Optimize department activities to ensure the timely fulfillment of customer orders.
- Manage Inventory both physically and within the ERP system to ensure accurate accounting of all materials.
- Communicate with upstream production and supply chain partners to ensure timely delivery of needed inventory to keep operations flowing.
- Provide frequent updates to Sales and Customer Service on the delivery schedule of orders.
- Communicate production inefficiencies to Plant Manager and provide solutions to overcome challenges.
- Leads and manages direct reports:
- Reviews timecards for accuracy and approval and submits them in a timely manner to Payroll for processing
- Assists employees with questions or problems they have regarding work assignments, priorities, safety, personnel issues, etc.
- Counsel employees when necessary and recommends to Management such personnel actions as disciplinary action, transfer, termination of employment, etc. Documents any issues, counseling efforts, etc.
- Evaluates employees using the Company's performance appraisal system.
- Oversees training and orientation of new employees and offers additional training as needed. Offers re-training when necessary. Sets up and maintains cross training between the Shift Operations Managers, Team Leaders and/or staff
- Coaches and develops staff, fosters a team atmosphere
- Work with team throughout the day to be sure that any issues (equipment problems, people issues, raw materials, product issues, safety, etc.) are addressed promptly. Drives and directs the departments to achieve the highest level of quality.
Qualifications/Job Requirements:
- B.S. degree in Engineering, Science or Business preferred (previous experience may be considered in place of education requirement).
- Minimum of 5 years of experience within a manufacturing / assembly environment.
- Experience with a Materials Management system or Enterprise Management System for inventory control.
- Experience in successful implementation and use of Operational Excellence, Lean Manufacturing, and Six Sigma principles/practices.
- Experience leading, mentoring, and coaching a production team.
- Exceptional organization skills and experience maintaining a dynamic production schedules.
- Excellent Communication and interpersonal skills.Ability to communicate with all levels of a manufacturing organization to provide product status.
- Commitment to creating a safe work environment for production staff.
- Commitment to company Quality standards.
- High degree of accuracy in work and reporting metrics.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask.
- Good judgment, decision-making, and troubleshooting skills.
- Must be able to prioritize workload and meet deadlines.
- Excellent computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Must be ethical, professional and confidential.
Miscellaneous:
- Participates in lean activities, including but not limited to:
- Lean training and lean events such as kaizen or a 5-day event.
- 6-S program in department or other areas assigned.
- DMAICs. Continuously looks for ways to improve both the departments and own individual efficiencies and time management, as well as ways to improve any aspect of the Company’s operations and develops and implements DMAICs accordingly.
- Completes monthly safety observations.
- Notifies Managers of any production, equipment, safety, personnel problems, etc. and cooperates in resolving such issues as well.
- Provides Managers with feedback to determine where additional training would benefit and obtains additional training as necessary.
- Assists in other department activities as needed and performs other duties as assigned.
- Complies with all Company policies (i.e. personnel, safety, etc.)
Environmental Factors & Physical Demands:
- Works indoors in temperature-controlled and humidity-controlled environments.
- Requires walking, standing, sitting, stooping, bending, reaching, climbing step ladders, transporting up to 50 pounds, handling a loaded pallet jack, operating a computer, and operating various equipment as needed.
- Requires good manual dexterity and ability to operate various equipment.
LaMotte Company is a 100+ year-old global industry leader in developing and manufacturing premier water analysis solutions. LaMotte operates from two manufacturing sites in Chestertown, MD, and Newark, DE. Both facilities have production, research and development, and administrative capabilities, with the Newark site operating 24/7. LaMotte retails its products globally through direct and indirect sales channels into various end-market applications.
LaMotte is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, disability, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local laws.
