Value Stream Manager, Paint/Powder Coat Operations

MPE-Inc; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, life ins.

401(k) match and profit sharing

Vacation time from day one

9 paid holidays

Job summary

MPE-Inc is seeking a Value Stream Manager for Paint/Powder Coat Operations in Milwaukee, WI. You will own the value stream, drive lean improvements, and lead a team of 15+ leads and operators in a high-mix, low-volume setting to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets are met.

You will coordinate with Plant Manager and Master Scheduling to balance demand, train and mentor staff, and support new product launches while maintaining ISO standards and ERP-driven workflows.

Qualifications

• Degree in a technical field such as Operations Management or Engineering.
• 5+ years leading teams of 10–20 direct labor in a high-mix, low-volume environment.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills, with ability to analyze workflow and quality concerns.
• Experience scheduling production, managing resources, and using ERP for work orders, materials, and inventory.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, technical docs, and specifications (routings, BOMs, drawings).
• Comfort with power/hand tools and precision measurement equipment, including electrical testing tools.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 and 13485 quality systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Own full performance of the Paint/Powder Coat Value Stream, including preparation, painting, post-processing, touch-up, and silkscreen.
• Supervise Area Leads and operators, lead daily GEMBA stand-ups, and manage scheduling and staffing across shifts.
• Coach and mentor team on safety, procedures, system transactions, and troubleshooting.

Skills

Operations management

Team leadership

Lean manufacturing

ERP systems

Problem solving

Communication

ISO 9001 / 13485 knowledge

Microsoft Office

Powder coating knowledge

FDA regulations knowledge

Six Sigma Green/Black Belt

Education

Engineering or Operations Management degree

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Value Stream Manager, Paint/Powder Coat Operations

Full Time Office & Admin Milwaukee, WI, US

Today Requisition ID: 1831

At MPE, we're dedicated to making a difference in the world through cutting-edge medical technology. Our mission is to be the global leader in design, engineering, and manufacturing solutions for the medical and technology industries - creating impactful solutions that improve lives, and fostering an environment where our team members can thrive, grow, and contribute to groundbreaking advancements in the medical field.

A better career for you. Creating medical technology for all.

Why This Role

As our Value Stream Manager, Paint/Powder Coat Operations, you'll own the full performance of a critical value stream - preparation, painting, post-processing, touch-up, and silkscreen - that directly supports electromechanical medical device assemblies. You'll lead a team of 15+ Area Leads and operators, running daily GEMBA stand-ups, driving lean improvement initiatives, and making the calls that keep safety, quality, delivery, and cost all on track in a low-volume, high-mix environment.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who wants real ownership - not just managing a schedule, but shaping how a value stream runs day to day, coaching a team, and directly impacting the quality of medical devices that matter.

What You'll Do

Value Stream Ownership

• Own full performance of the Paint/Powder Coat Value Stream - including preparation, painting, post-processing, touch-up, and silkscreen - against safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives
• Own process adherence, including validating operating parameters, documenting corrective actions for near-limit or out-of-limit conditions, and maintaining preventive maintenance intervals
• Provide direct supervision of Area Leads and operators, including leading daily GEMBA stand-ups to align the team and resolve bottlenecks quickly
• Own the daily schedule, work priorities, and staffing plan across all shifts, partnering with the Plant Manager and Master Scheduling to adjust as demand or business needs change
• Coach, train, and mentor leads and operators on safety protocols, operating procedures, system transactions, operating parameters, and troubleshooting

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Address nonconformance reports (NCRs) in a timely manner, including rework processing and root cause investigation
• Monitor key performance metrics (safety, quality, productivity, efficiency) and departmental KPIs, resolving bottlenecks and quality concerns cross-functionally
• Drive continuous improvement using lean manufacturing tools (5S, Kaizen, etc.) to improve workflow efficiency, reduce waste, and lower costs

Materials & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Track and manage inventory of powders, hooks, plugs, masking materials, and department consumables, partnering with Purchasing to meet production demand
• Serve as key liaison between other production value streams and Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management to resolve constraints and support new product launches

What You Bring

Required

• Degree in a technical field such as Operations Management, Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of operations management experience leading teams of 10-20 direct labor employees in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment
• Strong problem-solving, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to analyze workflow efficiency, production issues, and quality concerns
• Experience executing production schedules, managing resources, and adjusting workflow to meet changing demand, including ERP system use for work orders, materials, and inventory
• Proficiency interpreting and creating engineering drawings, technical documentation, and specifications, including routings, BOMs, and drawings
• Comfort with power tools, hand tools, precision measurement instruments, and electrical testing equipment
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and 13485 Quality System requirements
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Nice to Have

• Powder coating experience, including pretreatment titration, process parameters, equipment operation, cure cycles, finish quality standards, and troubleshooting
• Knowledge of FDA regulations
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification

Why Work With MPE?

• Medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance starting the first of the month after your hire date
• 401(k) match and profit sharing
• Vacation time from day one
• 9 paid holidays for regular full-time employees
• Paid training

No relocation or sponsorship available for this role.