Value Stream Manager - Assembly

FN America, LLC is a U.S. subsidiary of FN Herstal, S.A., a global leader in the development and manufacturing of high-quality, reliable firearms for military, law enforcement and commercial customers worldwide. With manufacturing operations in Columbia, South Carolina, FN America is passionately committed to providing its customers with a portfolio of FN-branded products, training and support services that enhance user performance and safeguard their lives. For more information, visit us at or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Position Summary

The Value Stream Manager - Assembly oversees the value stream by maintaining an effective Value Stream Map, executing production plans, and ensuring alignment with company goals through clear, actionable objectives. This role leads a cross functional team, drives continuous improvement using lean tools, and promotes rapid problem solving, accountability, and data driven decision making. The Manager, Value Stream – Assembly fosters an engaging work environment while supporting the growth and development of team members across the value stream.

Job Duties

• Create and maintain a Value Stream Map that is focused on reducing lead times, minimizing cost and delivering with excellence.
• Lead a cross functional team focused on assembly and ensure strong execution, continuous performance improvement, and the development of team members within the value stream.
• Setting, coaching and tracking local goals that define success, are actionable, and align with company level key metrics.
• Execute production plans to ensure delivery is completed on time.
• Actively engage the value stream in continuous improvement through the learning, deployment, and coaching of lean tools.
• Make data-driven decisions to drive intentional results, including prioritizing work, allocating team resources, and determining when and how to implement process changes.
• Promote rapid problem solving and fosters accountability across the Value Stream.
• Create a work environment where employees are energized, excited and motivated to continuously improve value stream processes, delight our customers and accomplish both individual and team goals and objectives.
• Proactively engage in the personal growth of individual team members within the value stream, and work closely with functional leaders where appropriate to implement Individual development plans.
• Develop, implement and sustain Standard work and practices.
• Audit the team’s adherence to standard work to assure repeatable results.
• Assure that quality standards are met with all products and continually focuses on reducing the risk of quality defects through process improvement.
• Develop annual budget to support manufacturing/production objectives.
• Lead a culture of safety through intentional practices and improvement initiatives.
• Lead a culture of continuous improvement through actively measuring, stabilizing and optimizing processes through the Value Stream team.
• Maintain visible workspaces, measures of success and team member engagement in excellence.
• Instill a project management mindset that encourages accountability, risk management, resource planning and timely execution.
• Other duties as assigned.

Educational and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a Business-related field and a minimum of five years of experience in a manufacturing environment, including three years of experience in machining operation and at least two years of direct continuous improvement experience required or.
• 15 years of combined experience in manufacturing and production planning roles, including a minimum of three years of experience in machining operation, two years of leadership experience, and two years of direct continuous improvement experience required.

Skills and Competencies

All FN America employees are expected to demonstrate accountability, collaboration, communication, customer focus, and innovation. Additional skills required include:

• Manufacturing process management.
• Adaptability to changes in the work environment.
• Ability to train others and measure their level of competency.
• Practical manufacturing and machining skills and knowledge with an ability to demonstrate competencies being trained.

Licenses/Certifications

• Lean Six Sigma Preferred.
• Kepner-Tragoe Preferred.

Working Conditions

Typical office environment with some travel between buildings and to other locations required. Must be able to frequently lift/move up to 10 pounds and occasionally move/lift to 25 pounds without assistance.

All FN America employees have a responsibility to participate in the development of a safe and healthy workplace and to comply with instructions given for their own safety and health and that of others.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veteran/Disability

FN America, LLC is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please email [email protected] or call: 803-736-0522. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.