Job title: Value Stream Manager
Location: Greenford/ Loudwater

Role Purpose
The Value Stream Manager is accountable for the end-to-end operational performance and delivery of a defined manufacturing value stream within a regulated defence environment.

The role combines hands-on operational leadership with strategic responsibility for transforming manufacturing performance. Leading from the front, the postholder ensures daily production targets are achieved while driving continuous improvement, operational maturity, and cultural change.

A critical aspect of the role is holding full delivery accountability across all contributing functions, ensuring that dependencies such as Production Engineering, Test Systems Engineering, and Planning are effectively coordinated and executed to meet commitments..

The role plays a key part in modernising ways of working, improving flow and productivity, and strengthening compliance with industry standards.

Key responsibilities

• Lead all manufacturing activities within the assigned value stream to achieve Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People (SQCDP) targets.
• Take full ownership and accountability for production delivery performance, including schedule adherence, Value Creation Plans (VCP), On-Time Delivery, productivity, scrap, and cost control.
• Act as a visible, hands-on leader on the shop floor, setting clear expectations and driving
• accountability for performance standards.
• Hold end-to-end delivery accountability across the value stream, including task management and coordination of Production Engineering, Test Systems Engineering, and Planning. Ensure all interdependent activities are aligned, executed on time, and support overall delivery commitments - removing barriers and driving resolution where performance gaps exist.
• Lead and integrate daily, weekly, and monthly planning activities, ensuring the value stream is resourced appropriately with the right skills and capacity to meet demand.
• Manage the introduction and industrialisation of new product lines in collaboration with Production Engineering and supporting functions.
• Champion a culture of safety, security, and strict regulatory compliance within a defence manufacturing environment.
• Identify and implement operational improvements to enhance flow, eliminate waste, and reduce lead times.
• Lead structured problem-solving and root cause analysis to resolve production, quality, and delivery issues.
• Develop and execute medium-term improvement plans to enhance capability, capacity, and operational resilience.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Programmes to proactively manage risks, constraints, and dependencies.
• Build capability within frontline leadership through coaching, performance management, and succession planning.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure adherence to quality management systems and governance frameworks.

Qualifications / skills required

• Degree or equivalent experience in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related discipline.
• Proven 5+ years production management experience in a manufacturing environment, ideally within defence, aerospace, or another highly regulated sector.
• Strong operational delivery focus with demonstrable experience improving production performance.
• Practical experience of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement implementation.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 environments.
• Experience leading change, or transformation initiatives within manufacturing operations.
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to use data to drive decisions and improvements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance (as required).