Value Stream Manager at Solar Turbines in Wamego, KS

Value Stream Manager

Location: Wamego, Kansas

Career Area:

Manufacturing

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Position Summary

The Value Stream Manager is responsible for leading the daily operations of a manufacturing value stream, ensuring safe, efficient, and effective production performance. This role drives operational excellence through leadership, process improvement, lean manufacturing initiatives, workforce development, and accountability for safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations across one or more production areas to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Manage staffing, employee development, performance management, and succession planning activities for operations personnel and leadership teams.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to supervisors and operational teams to drive engagement and performance.
• Ensure production schedules, operational targets, and customer commitments are achieved while maximizing the effective use of resources.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, efficiency, quality, safety, and cost reduction.
• Implement and sustain Lean Manufacturing principles, tools, and best practices throughout the value stream.
• Monitor operational performance metrics and identify opportunities to improve processes, workflow, and resource utilization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure effective communication, alignment of priorities, and resolution of operational challenges.
• Ensure compliance with all safety standards, environmental requirements, company policies, and regulatory guidelines.
• Evaluate operational risks and implement corrective actions to maintain a safe and efficient manufacturing environment.
• Support production planning and scheduling activities to ensure capacity, demand, and delivery requirements are met.
• Lead problem-solving efforts and root cause analysis activities to resolve production, quality, and operational issues.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Experience leading manufacturing operations, production teams, or value stream management activities.
• Experience managing employee performance, coaching leaders, and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Effective communication and leadership skills in a manufacturing environment.

Preferred Skills & Competencies

Manufacturing Operations Leadership

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, production processes, and operational performance management.
• Experience overseeing production activities to ensure schedules, forecasts, and customer requirements are achieved.
• Ability to balance staffing, capacity, and resources to meet business objectives.

Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement

• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing principles and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of process mapping, value stream analysis, waste reduction, and operational excellence methodologies.
• Ability to identify and implement process improvements that improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.

Process Management

• Experience evaluating, optimizing, and implementing business and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to analyze workflows, identify inefficiencies, and develop sustainable improvements.
• Experience building business cases and evaluating the cost-benefit impact of operational changes.

Performance Management & Employee Development

• Demonstrated ability to coach, develop, and motivate employees and leadership teams.
• Experience setting performance expectations, providing feedback, and addressing performance issues.
• Ability to recognize achievements and build a culture of accountability and continuous development.

Planning & Organizational Effectiveness

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing business needs.
• Experience developing contingency plans and proactively addressing operational challenges.
• Strong project planning, resource allocation, and execution skills.

Analytical Problem Solving

• Ability to analyze complex operational issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions.
• Experience using data and performance metrics to support decision-making.
• Ability to evaluate risks, costs, benefits, and potential outcomes before implementing changes.

Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing safety practices and regulatory requirements.
• Experience promoting a safety-first culture and ensuring compliance with company and OSHA standards.
• Ability to identify hazards, implement corrective actions, and drive safety improvements.
  

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job. At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of “essential job functions” as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Summary Pay Range:

$128,470.00 - $192,710.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits:

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*

• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*

• 401(k) savings plans*

• Health Savings Account (HSA)*

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*

• Health Lifestyle Programs*

• Employee Assistance Program*

• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*

• Career Development*

• Incentive bonus*

• Disability benefits

• Life Insurance

• Parental leave

• Adoption benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Relocation is available for this position.Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

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