Value Stream Manager

The Gund Company | St. Louis, MO

Lead People. Drive Results. Build the Future.

Are you a manufacturing leader who thrives on solving complex challenges, developing high-performing teams, and driving continuous improvement? Do you enjoy creating results through collaboration, operational excellence, and servant leadership?

If so, we'd love to meet you.

At The Gund Company, we're more than a manufacturer of engineered electrical insulation products. We're a team of driven problem-solvers committed to our core philosophy:

Take Care of Each Other. Take Care of the Customer. Take Care of the Business.

As a Value Stream Manager, you'll play a critical leadership role in overseeing the complete order fulfillment process while leading and developing a talented manufacturing team. You'll have the opportunity to make a direct impact on safety, quality, delivery performance, customer satisfaction, employee development, and business growth.

What You'll Do

As the Value Stream Manager, you will be responsible for leading all aspects of your assigned value stream, from customer demand through production and delivery.

Operational Leadership

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and productivity goals are consistently achieved.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that eliminate waste, improve processes, and increase operational efficiency.
• Monitor key performance indicators and implement corrective actions to achieve business objectives.
• Support production planning, staffing, equipment utilization, and resource allocation.
• Ensure manufacturing areas maintain a clean, organized, customer-ready appearance.

Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing

• Lead Kaizen events and develop team members to become continuous improvement leaders.
• Implement and sustain visual management systems and daily accountability processes.
• Analyze cost, quality, and operational data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Partner with plant leadership to streamline workflows, reduce lead times, and improve profitability.
• Share and adopt best practices across facilities to support operational excellence.

Customer & Business Partnership

• Collaborate with Customer Service, Sales, Estimating, and Business Development teams to support customer needs.
• Participate in root cause investigations and corrective actions related to customer concerns.
• Assist with new product introduction and manufacturing feasibility reviews.
• Resolve production challenges and backorders while maintaining customer satisfaction.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, team leads, and production personnel.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous learning.
• Conduct performance coaching, development planning, and talent reviews.
• Partner with Human Resources on hiring, promotions, employee recognition, and performance management.
• Build a workplace where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.

Financial Responsibility

• Manage value stream budgets and monitor operating costs.
• Identify opportunities to improve margins and increase profitability.
• Participate in gross profit reviews and continuous improvement of estimating processes.
• Ensure financial goals and budget expectations are achieved.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, you will:

• Create a safe and engaging work environment.
• Deliver exceptional customer experiences.
• Develop future manufacturing leaders.
• Improve operational performance through Lean principles.
• Drive measurable improvements in quality, efficiency, and profitability.
• Build a culture aligned with The Gund Company's values.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical, engineering, manufacturing, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and leadership experience.
• Minimum 4 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 2 years of manufacturing industry experience.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence and motivate teams.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong analytical and mathematical aptitude.
• Ability to drive accountability while building positive relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma, or related operational excellence methodologies.
• Knowledge of Quality Systems and quality management principles, including ISO standards, SPC, JIT, TQM, and Zero Defects.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Why The Gund Company?

At Gund, your contributions matter. We believe that when our employees succeed, our company succeeds. That's why we invest in our people and create opportunities for growth, development, and long-term success.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits
• 401(k) with company match
• Professional development and career growth opportunities
• Individual Development Plans (IDPs) designed to support your career goals
• Employee-focused culture built on teamwork, trust, and accountability