Value Stream Leader

Location: Michigan City, Indiana, United States Job ID: R0145786 Date Posted: 2026-09-22 Company Name: HITACHI GLOBAL AIR POWER US, LLC Profession (Job Category): Production & Skilled Trades Job Schedule: Full time Remote: No Job Description: Hitachi Global Air Power: We build the machines that power industry. We are Hitachi Global Air Power, a leading global industrial compressed air manufacturer driving the innovations that keep the world moving. From our headquarters in Michigan City, Indiana, our compressed air solutions power manufacturing operations all around the globe: from food and beverage to life-saving pharmaceuticals and cutting edge semi-conductor chips. Our portable compressors provide the air power to build roads and bridges, lay pipelines and aid in oil and gas mining and production. We are a team of innovators, engineers, and quality experts with a shared vision to create the next generation of efficient, environment-forward compressed air solutions that meet the demands of today, while boldly contributing to a sustainable, circular economy. With more than 58 years of legacy and trusted performance through our brands - Hitachi, Sullair, and Champion (Australia), we are proud of our reputation for reliability, durability, and performance and groundbreaking engineering. Join us in building a future where your work has an impact. At Hitachi Global Air Power, you will be part of a global network that is shaping the future of industrial power. Summary of the position: As a Value Stream Leader (VSL), you serve and perform a critical role in the successful development of a team culture focused on employee engagement and development, and operational execution. The VSL is ultimately accountable for every aspect of the specific assigned manufacturing area - from hiring, training, developing, and managing your team members, executing the production plan, implementing and improving the processes, to maximizing performance against Key Performance Indicators - Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, Productivity and Engagement (SQDIP-E). The Value Stream Leader position will be on site at the Hitachi Global Air Power facility in Michigan City, Indiana, and will report to the Value Stream Manager. Duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to: The Value Stream Leader is an integral and vital position with the Value Stream Management organization. She / he is the “front-line manger” of the assigned value stream in operations. As a VSL, some of the duties, responsibilities will include: Safety : Drive proactive safety observations, Safety Audits, Safety KYKs and Safety KAI ZENs – provide training as required. Prioritize safety daily – ensuring team members remain safe while performing daily functions. Identify and investigate any unsafe situations – with focus on implementing robust countermeasures to reduce or eliminate the risk. Comply with and monitor 6S in the workplace. Quality: Confirm quality is evident in daily work – delivering high quality product that meets all customer and daily satisfaction and completion of all quality documentation (TQCs, QN, etc.) Ensure the team members work according to regulatory guidelines - providing coaching as necessary to earn and retain ISO and other regulatory certifications. Identify, coach and implement quality improvements to reduce scrap. Delivery : Accountable for daily schedule meeting rate and On-Time Delivery (OTD) requirements. Problem solves for OTD misses – owning or assisting from problem definition, root cause investigation and permanent corrective action implementation. Strategically work with her / his Value Stream Manger and cross-functional support to improve efficiencies. Inventory: in accordance with WIP targets for the value stream, manages the daily output aligning the production to not exceed the WIP. Focuses on value-stream “line-side” presentation and location of all components leading to the effective and efficient work for the team members, drives inventory reduction and notes where “over inventory” stocking is occurring and works with Production Control / Planning and Supply-chain to reduce excessive inventory in her / his GEMBA. Duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to: continued Productivity: Owns problem solving centered on staffing levels vs. required output to ensure the value stream can successfully fulfill the daily, weekly delivery schedule while optimizing cost. Lead (directly or indirectly) the team to implement labor cost reduction projects and process improvements. Hold team accountable to hourly output expectations, collaborate to ensure downtime is resolved immediately and apply permanent counter measures where applicable. Supervisory responsibilities : Completing time & attendance regularly – ensuring employee time-off and work schedules allows for deliveries to be met. Creating a culture focused on qualitative performance that is transparent and measurable, development-based and engagement focused. Hiring and onboarding of new associates – including training when required. Analyzing headcount requirements to ensure we are maximizing delivery performance and optimizing cost. Preparing and delivering yearly performance evaluations (including performance and development goals). Owns the continuous improvement culture for the value stream : responsible for the Daily Management (SQDIP-E) – ensuring metrics and targets align with business/plant objectives. Owning the problem-solving process to understand gaps in value stream (and cell) performance. Identifying waste and trends from daily management to develop Kaizen charters. Participating, leading, and facilitating kaizen events. Seizing the opportunities to train and develop your team in C/I tools. Promote a diverse and inclusive learning environment. Drive the cross-training associates to ensure labor capacities meet required workload and minimize risk of downtime due to skill sets. Emphasize employee involvement and empower team to deliver great results. Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications: Education : BS Degree in Engineering, and / or applicable years of manufacturing experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities Professional experience: 10 + years of functional manufacturing operations experience with special emphasis on continuous improvement and organizational transformation Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of an organization (internal/external) and across global nationalities and cultures High level of expertise in the use of analytical tools such as Excel and ERP systems. Capable and comfortable driving improvements and results within a matrix structure Strong presentation skills Strong interpersonal skills and professional demeanor Key behaviors: Candidate must work well in a cross-functional and matrix environment. Strict attention to detail. Must be results-oriented, high energy, and a representative of the Hitachi Global Air Power Values. Direct reports: Include direct reports – team members, technicians, maintenance personnel and others as assigned. The successful candidate is responsible for complying with Hitachi Global Air Power US Code of Ethics and related policies. In performing the job, the incumbent shall take all steps necessary to comply with our safety rules and requirements and must actively support the organization's efforts to meet and exceed its goals of creating and maintaining a safe workplace. This description is to serve as a guide. It is intended to be flexible and will continue to evolve over time with business needs and demands and may be updated periodically and at the Company's discretion. Hitachi Global Air Power US is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate based on race, religion, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or other protected categories under applicable law, whether in recruitment, employment, promotion, transfer, compensation, or other conditions of employment.