Value Stream Manager
Whirlpool Corporation · Tulsa · $44,000 (stated in the posting)
Requisition ID: 72486
About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2024, the company reported approximately $17 billion in annual sales - close to 90% of which were in the Americas - 44,000 employees, and 40 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.
The team you will be a part of
The Engineering team discovers, develops and evaluates new product ideas, enhancements, or strategic product extensions, and translates research discoveries into usable and marketable products. Leads, plans and tracks all phases of the product life cycle, from inception to introduction into the marketplace. Coordinates with various functions to ensure successful product development and implementation.
This role in summary
The Value Stream Manager (VSM) leads efforts to optimize an entire product or service delivery process (the "value stream") from start to finish, focusing on efficiency, waste reduction (Lean principles), and maximizing customer value by aligning cross-functional teams, mapping processes (current vs. future state), and implementing continuous improvements, often without direct authority over all resources. They act as an "architect," influencing teams to create smoother, faster, and higher-quality flows for manufacturing.
Your responsibilities will include
- Creating and maintaining "Current State" maps to visualize how work flows today and "Future State" maps to design a more efficient tomorrow
- End to end understanding of waste and losses related to performance, labor, scrap, usage, lack of quality, etc within the product’s value stream
- Process Optimization: Analyzes, designs, and manages the entire flow of materials and information, identifying non-value-added activities to eliminate waste (time, materials, effort).
- Use different methods and tools like problem solving tools, time studies, Kaizen, SMED, Tags, SOP, OPL, 7 WCM Tools (Prioritization, systematic, logical and detailed deployment of objectives, problem description with sketches, 5W+1H with 5G principles, Root cause analysis (4M+1D and 5 Whys), phenomena description with sketches, TWTTP (The way to teach people) and HERCA (Human Error Root Cause Analysis), 3M (Muri, Mura, Muda), line balancing.
- Analyze work stations using the MODAPTS methodology
- Understand the losses and calculate cost and savings for the different projects.
- Identify bottlenecks and constraints impacting the flow and velocity of the value stream
- Lead through influence by collaborating across manufacturing functions to build consensus on driving cost out
- Lead rapid improvement events to solve specific bottlenecks and optimize efficiency
Minimum requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Operations Management
- 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience
Preferred skills and experiences
- Lean background
- Excellent communication skills
- Value Stream Mapping
- Low Cost Automation concepts
- Product costing
- Bill of Materials
Additional information
Whirlpool’s Ways of Working
Our goal is to provide an environment that helps you bring your best to Whirlpool every day. While employees in this role work in-person Monday through Friday. We offer flexibility and industry-leading time-off benefits that will help you balance what’s important at work and at home, including:
- Always On Flexibility - You will have the autonomy to manage personal, family, and outside-of-work commitments as needed.
- Two-Week Work from Anywhere - Minimum of one-week increments for a total of two weeks per year.
- Sabbatical - Four weeks paid leave after every five years of service.
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Connect with us and learn more about Whirlpool Corporation
See what it's like to work at Whirlpool by visiting Whirlpool Careers. Additional information about the company can be found on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
Whirlpool Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibits any discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law.