Value Stream Team Leader

Kavaliro is seeking a Value Stream Team Leader for our local Jacksonville client who will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations and performance of an assigned hose manufacturing value stream. Working closely with the Plant Manager, this position drives operational excellence through lean manufacturing practices, continuous improvement, employee development, and effective production management. The Team Leader is accountable for maintaining a safe and efficient work environment while improving quality, customer service, productivity, cost performance, inventory levels, and production lead times.

This role provides hands-on leadership to the value stream team and ensures daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual operational objectives are achieved. Leadership & Scope Direct Reports:
Yes This position provides leadership and direction to associates within the assigned value stream, including involvement in hiring and employment decisions, performance evaluations, employee development, and day-to-day workforce management. The Team Leader is responsible for coordinating the overall activities of the value stream, including workforce development, production priorities, budgeting, resource utilization, decision-making, and performance management. The role works closely with the Plant Manager, Floor Leads, and cross-functional teams to ensure operational decisions are implemented quickly and effectively.

Essential Responsibilities Operations & Continuous Improvement Direct daily activities within the assigned value stream to ensure production, quality, delivery, and operational goals are consistently met. Identify opportunities to improve production flow, eliminate waste, reduce costs, minimize inventory, and shorten lead times through continuous improvement initiatives. Apply lean manufacturing principles, including pull systems, standardized work, workload leveling, and continuous product flow.

Coordinate supply chain activities, production control, manufacturing priorities, and communication across all shifts. Partner with the Plant Manager to develop and execute future-state value stream plans and track progress toward established objectives. Use performance tracking tools, improvement boards, and PDCA methodologies to monitor results and drive corrective actions. Ensure standardized processes are followed and updated when improvements or operational changes are implemented.

Team Leadership & Employee Development Maintain regular communication with value stream associates to identify operational challenges, discuss solutions, and encourage employee involvement in continuous improvement. Foster a collaborative, accountable, and positive team environment through regular meetings, clear expectations, and effective communication. Assign responsibilities, coordinate workload, and obtain support from other departments when necessary to maintain smooth operations. Develop employee capabilities through cross-training, mentoring, and succession planning to ensure adequate coverage and operational flexibility.

Encourage employees to identify, address, and resolve problems at the source rather than allowing quality or process issues to continue downstream. Support employee goal setting, performance feedback, professional development, and ongoing skills improvement. Serve as a positive role model by encouraging innovation, accountability, teamwork, and constructive change. Safety, Quality & Workplace Standards Promote a culture where safety, quality, and operational excellence are treated as shared responsibilities.

Ensure the value stream remains compliant with safety standards, 5S expectations, standardized work procedures, and applicable operating requirements. Maintain a visually…