Production Leader (Value Stream Lead)

DK Recruitment; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment firm in Plymouth is seeking a Value Stream Leader to drive operational oversight and support team development. The successful candidate will ensure effective workflow management and support continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment. Proven experience in production leadership and strong communication skills are essential. This role offers the chance to lead a team in enhancing quality and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a manufacturing or production leadership role.
• Experience in planning workload priorities.
• Experience with continuous improvement in the workplace.

Responsibilities

• Define, prioritize, and communicate work pipeline priorities.
• Support Area Leads in resolving operational issues.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the value stream.

Skills

Clear communication, both written & verbal

Computer literate (including Microsoft Office)

ERP system experience

Ability to identify, analyze, and solve production-related issues

Solution-centric focus

Detail-oriented mindset

Education

Production / Engineering qualification

Tools

Lean Six Sigma / Similar CI qualifications

Job description

Overview

The Value Stream Leader (VSL) plays a pivotal role in the workflow structure, providing direction and operational oversight across their assigned area. Responsible for defining and prioritising the work for their dedicated area, the VSL ensures Area Leads have a clear and actionable workload to drive On Time Delivery (OTD). By acting as the primary liaison between customer services and production, the VSL maintains up-to-date order status visibility and supports the resolution of operational issues. This role enables Area Leads to focus on technical execution, quality standards, and team development by ensuring effective coordination of workflow management.

Key Responsibilities

• Define, prioritise, and communicate the work pipeline priorities for designated value stream
• Provide Area Leads with clear, actionable worklists aligned to customer and business priorities
• Support Area Leads in resolving operational and production issues that impact On Time Delivery
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the value stream to enhance quality, efficiency, and delivery performance
• Facilitate daily communication and coordination between cross-functional teams including production, planning, and resource deployment
• Monitor workflow progress and adjust priorities in response to changing business needs
• Ensure alignment with quality standards and technical requirements by collaborating closely with Area Leads, Setters, and Leading Hands
• Participate in capacity planning and resource allocation decisions in partnership with the Resource Deployment Team
• Attend regular meetings with the Senior Management team to coordinate ongoing progress and discuss constraints
• Monitor performance and progress in your own area, analysing corrective actions and preventative measures
• Foster a culture of measurable continuous improvement and lean operations
• Identify and analyse production bottlenecks and workflow to improve throughput and overall efficiency

Knowledge & Experience

• Proven experience in a manufacturing or production leadership role, ideally in a fast-paced, high-mix environment
• Experience in planning workload priorities
• Experience with continuous improvement in the workplace
• Lean Six Sigma / Similar CI qualifications (desirable)
• Production / Engineering qualification (highly desirable)
• Experience in matrix-management of staff
• Ability to identify and support problem solving of bottlenecks

Skills

• Clear communication, both written & verbal
• Computer literate (including Microsoft office)
• ERP system experience (desirable)
• Ability to identify, analyse, and solve production-related issues
• Solution centric focus using problem solving and troubleshooting techniques
• Detail orientated mindset