Value Stream Manager

University Park, Illinois, United States

IMI plc

At IMI, we’re not just creating solutions; we’re building careers. So, unlock your potential: do work that matters, grow with us, and be part of a team shaping tomorrow.

Here, you can make a real difference – solving complex engineering challenges that make industries smarter, safer and more sustainable. From the energy that powers homes to the systems that keep the world moving, you’ll help create solutions the world depends on.
But it’s not just about the work – it’s about how you grow. We encourage curiosity, make learning part of everyday life, and give you real opportunities to build new skills and move your career forward.
We believe in nurturing your wellbeing, too, with strong benefits and flexible policies that help you succeed. At IMI, you’ll find a supportive, collaborative and inclusive environment where you can truly thrive.

Role Overview:

The Value Stream Manager (VSM) – University Park, IL is a crucial leadership role within the organization. The individual in this position will be responsible for leading the Manufacturing Management Team, including Production Supervisors, Team Leads, and Direct Labor. They will be responsible for overseeing production operations, ensuring safety and compliance with health and environmental regulations, managing budgets, and developing and implementing plans for the business unit, which comprises of multiple value streams. The Value Stream Manager will also be responsible for identifying and eliminating waste, continuously monitoring, and improving the flow of materials and information and leading the team to achieve the safe production of high-quality products on-time and at the lowest possible cost. Additionally, the Value Stream Manager will be responsible for significant inter-departmental collaboration and communication, assigning duties and coordinating activities of supervisors and/or employees engaged in production. The ideal candidate will have experience in both production management and value stream management, strong leadership skills, and a proven track record of success in implementing continuous improvement in a manufacturing or production environment.

The University Park site employs approximately 200 people and operates from a single 160,000 sq ft facility at 25150 S Governors Hwy, University Park, IL, housing all activities including Operations, Manufacturing, Assembly, Testing, Quality, R&D, Product Design Engineering, Supply Chain, Sales, Customer Service, and Administration.

The business specializes in the design, manufacture, testing, and sale of valves, actuators, fittings, cylinders, and highly engineered customer-specific solutions serving the Industrial Automation market.

Key Accountabilities

P&L and Financial Performance

Own value stream financial performance, including cost control, productivity, inventory, and contribution margin
Develop and execute annual operating plans for the value stream (production, labor, material cost, inventory, and capital)
Drive cost reduction, productivity improvement, and waste elimination to support margin expansion
Partner with Finance and site leadership to ensure accurate forecasting, reporting, and financial discipline

Operations & Manufacturing Excellence

Lead all value stream production activities to deliver best-in-class safety, quality, delivery, cost, and inventory
Drive lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives, including waste elimination and flow optimization
Ensure effective production planning, material flow, and inventory control to meet customer demand
Champion standard work, visual management, and KPI-driven performance to sustain operational discipline
Drive continuous improvement in product quality, process capability, and waste reduction

Commercial & Customer Focus

Support customer satisfaction through reliable on-time delivery, high-quality output, and responsiveness
Partner with Sales, Customer Service, and Planning to align production with customer requirements
Support new business wins and customer-specific requirements through operational readiness and execution

Leadership & Organization

Lead and develop the Manufacturing Management Team, including Production Supervisors, Team Leads, and Direct Labor
Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement
Set clear goals and expectations aligned to value stream and site objectives
Drive talent development, capability building, and succession planning within the value stream

Engineering & New Product Introduction (Interface)

Partner with Engineering to ensure manufacturability, cost efficiency, and scalable production processes
Support new product introduction (NPI) through strong cross-functional coordination and execution
Ensure smooth product transitions into production with minimal disruption to safety, quality, and delivery

Health, Safety & Compliance

Lead a strong safety culture with the objective of zero incidents
Ensure full compliance with all health, safety, and environmental standards
Support broader company ESG, ethics, and compliance initiatives

Success Profile

Experience & Background

Proven leadership experience in a manufacturing environment (e.g., Value Stream Manager, Production Manager, or similar)
Demonstrated success in driving operational performance and continuous improvement
Experience in machining, assembly, or engineered product environments preferred
Exposure to value stream management, lean manufacturing, and flow-based operations

Core Capabilities

Results-oriented with a strong, hands-on operational leadership style
Deep understanding of manufacturing processes, flow, and lean principles
Solid financial acumen with ability to link operational drivers to financial outcomes
Strong cross-functional collaboration and influencing capability
Ability to manage complexity across multiple product lines or value streams

Leadership Attributes

Visible, disciplined leader with high integrity and accountability
Ability to engage and align teams around clear priorities and performance goals
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, metrics-driven manufacturing environment
Effective change agent with a focus on sustainable results
Primary Focus: Value stream performance (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost)
P&L Ownership: Partial (value stream level)
Engineering Ownership: No (strong interface)
Markets: Industrial Automation

Pay range: $130k - $160k

Within this range, individual pay is determined based on skills, experience, and qualifications relative to the job requirements. Base pay information is aligned with market location and may be subject to prevailing wage laws, if applicable.

Bonus eligibility: This position is also eligible for a variable sales incentive pay component, separate from base salary.

What IMI Can Offer You

At IMI, one of our top priorities is to create an inclusive culture of health. We strive to remove barriers to care (whether that be physical or financial) and in doing so, we offer choice for all your health and wellbeing needs.

See below for a general overview of our amazing perks and benefits:

Multiple health plans to choose from: HMO, PPO, and High Deductible Health Plans with a low-cost share
Best-in-class 401K plan with zero vesting and up to 6% contribution matching
14-week maternity leave at full pay (Adoption benefits are equivalent)
4-week paternity leave at full pay (Adoption benefits are equivalent)
Employee Resource Groups that offer community and support, like our Pride Network and Network of Women groups
PTO, encompassing inclusive holidays
Career Development opportunities (IMI’s ‘Catalyst’ Program)
Employer contribution for Health Savings Account, and in many cases free virtual telemedicine, and teletherapy.
Mental Health and wellness programs to support you and your family
Full suite of voluntary benefits to tap into, including but not limited to: Critical illness insurance, hospital indemnity, legal insurance, identity theft protection, and pet insurance or home & auto insurance through our discount advantage platform
Short & long-term disability as well as basic life insurance at 2x your basic salary at no cost to the employee
Free financial advisors, webinars, and classes through Charles Schwab
Annual Employee Stock Purchase Plan with option to purchase IMI shares at a reduced employee only price - no opportunity to lose, only to profit or refund your investment 100%

**Benefits plans change year over year, but we have guiding principles in place to ensure our employees have the tools and resources available to stay connected and up to date**

Health & Safety

The physical demands described within the Key Duties & Responsibilities section of this job description are required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities. Please contact your local HR representative to discuss the specific Work Conditions and Physical Requirements of this role.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Duties – At IMI we are all personally committed to protecting our people, minimizing our impact to the environment, the communities we operate in and our company. All members of our workforce have the duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of themselves, others, and the environment. Every employee is expected to follow all HSE operating procedures, also to challenge any observed behaviors or unsafe acts.

Code of Ethics

IMI requires the highest standard of ethics in all business dealings, particularly with customers, suppliers, advisors, employees, and the authorities. In accordance with the IMI Way: Our Code of Responsible Business.

Changes to This Job Description

IMI may amend this job description in whole or part at any time.

By submitting your application, you consent to the processing of your personal data in line with IMI’s policies. For information about how IMI processes candidates’ data, please see the Candidate Privacy Notice at www.imiplc.com/candidate-privacy-notice, available in multiple local languages.

IMI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status.

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