Value Stream Manager

CVI Infrared Optics; Whetstone; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CVI Infrared Optics, part of IDEX MSS, seeks a Value Stream Leader to own a critical manufacturing value stream in advanced optical production for aerospace, defence and industrial markets. You will lead production teams, engineers and coordinators, and drive performance across safety, quality, cost and delivery.

This role emphasizes Lean principles, people development and continuous improvement in a high‑precision environment, with responsibility for operations excellence and customer

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading teams within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement experience.
• Demonstrated success in driving operational performance and process improvements.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes, engineering drawings and quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day performance of a manufacturing value stream, ensuring safety, quality, cost and delivery objectives.
• Own value stream P&L performance and drive improvements in productivity and profitability.
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams including production personnel, engineers and coordinators.
• Monitor KPIs and take actions to improve OTD, lead times, yields and quality.
• Apply Lean, Value Stream Mapping and Kaizen to remove waste and improve cycle time.
• Establish future-state flows to support growth and customer needs.
• Implement 5S standards across manufacturing and cleanroom environments.
• Support NPI, efficient layouts, equipment utilisation and capacity.
• Drive root cause investigations and corrective actions for quality and scrap reduction.
• Develop people, coach teams, and promote accountability and collaboration.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Analytical Thinking

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor’s Degree (Engineering/Manufacturing/Operations/Business)

Job description

“CVI Infrared Optics is a part of the IDEX Materials, Science and Solutions (MSS) platform. Besides our unique capabilities in manufacturing large optics from visible to longwave, we are backed by the combined capabilities of our platform. CVI offers a full spectrum of optical engineering, manufacturing, and assembly expertise. Together we can support all our customers with more engineering expertise, broader capabilities, and extensive manufacturing resources. Since 1982, CVI Infrared Optics has been manufacturing advanced optical components for high performance optronics systems. We have become the leading experts in manufacturing and integration of large optics from visible, and near infrared, to longwave infrared, that can continuously perform in extreme weather climates and harsh conditions. When you need robust optical components and assembly expertise for your mission critical application, we can provide world-class solutions.“ CVI is seeking an experienced and driven Value Stream Leader to join our Operations team. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a critical manufacturing value stream within a world-class photonics and infrared optics business serving demanding aerospace, defence and industrial markets. As a Value Stream Manager/Leader, you will be responsible for driving operational performance, continuous improvement and team development across a highly specialised manufacturing environment. You will lead production teams, engineers and coordinators while taking accountability for operational delivery, quality, cost, safety and customer satisfaction. This role is ideal for a manufacturing leader with a passion for Lean principles, people leadership and continuous improvement who thrives in a technically advanced production environment.

What You’ll Be Doing

Lead Operational Performance

• Manage the day-to-day performance of a manufacturing value stream, ensuring delivery against safety, quality, cost and delivery objectives.
• Take ownership of value stream P&L performance and drive improvements in productivity, efficiency and profitability.
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams including production personnel, engineers and coordinators.
• Monitor operational KPIs and implement actions to improve On-Time Delivery (OTD), lead times, yields and quality performance.

Drive Continuous Improvement

• Apply Lean Manufacturing, Value Stream Mapping and 80/20 principles to identify and eliminate waste.
• Lead Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives focused on cycle time reduction, throughput improvement and process stability.
• Establish future-state manufacturing flows that support business growth and customer requirements.
• Implement and sustain 5S standards across manufacturing and cleanroom environments.

Optimise Manufacturing Processes

• Support manufacturing operations covering precision fabrication, optical coating, assembly and inspection activities.
• Work closely with Engineering teams to support New Product Introduction (NPI) and efficient production layouts.
• Help maximise equipment utilisation and manufacturing capacity while reducing bottlenecks.
• Support the maintenance, calibration and effective operation of manufacturing equipment.

Champion Quality and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with AS9100, ISO standards and customer‑specific quality requirements.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions relating to quality and scrap reduction.
• Drive a culture of quality‑focused manufacturing and continuous process improvement.
• Maintain audit readiness across the value stream at all times.

Develop and Inspire People

• Coach, mentor and develop team members to achieve high performance.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous learning.
• Cross‑train employees to improve flexibility and eliminate single‑point dependencies.
• Support succession planning and skills development within the organisation.

Essential

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience leading teams within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement experience.
• Demonstrated success in driving operational performance and process improvements.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes, engineering drawings and quality systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced production environment.

Qualifications & Experience

You will ideally have one of the following:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations or Business with experience in manufacturing supervision/leadership; or
• Associate Degree with relevant manufacturing leadership experience; or
• Significant equivalent experience in a manufacturing leadership role.

Desirable

• Experience within optics, photonics, semiconductor, aerospace, defence or other high‑precision manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, Six Sigma or other Lean methodologies.
• Experience managing operational budgets and P&L performance.
• Understanding of cleanroom and highly regulated manufacturing environments.

Why Join CVI?

At CVI, you’ll be part of a team developing advanced infrared optics and photonic solutions that support critical technologies around the world. We offer an environment where innovation, continuous improvement and collaboration drive success. This is an opportunity to make a real impact on operational performance while helping shape the future of a growing, high‑technology manufacturing business. Job Family: Operations Business Unit: CVI