Value Stream Manager
Southwire · Starkville, MS
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Lean / CI
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 7+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 17 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management continuous improvement role at Southwire (industrial) in Starkville, MS. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment, electrical components, hand tools and jobsite power and lighting solutions.
- They ask for
- 7+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Value stream mapping, SAP
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Continuous Improvement roles in the US: typical posted base $105k–$150k.
Median of the low and high ends of 141 live postings that list pay, out of 367 continuous improvement openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Mississippi plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 366 other live lean / ci postings in the US.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (7+ vs 5+)
Typical $101k–$144k, from 127 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 84%
- Six Sigma 55%
- ✓ Value stream mapping 49%
- Kaizen 49%
- Root cause 45%
- 5S 33%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Lean / CI team at Southwire
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is CI run from the plant floor or from a corporate OpEx group?
- Which metrics does leadership actually watch: OEE, scrap, cost per unit?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Southwire in Starkville
2 other open roles at this site.
- Quality Supervisor · Quality · Supervisor
- Process Engineer II · Process
Full description from SouthwireAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Job Summary
Manager, Value Stream manages manufacturing operations, providing leadership to professional staff and production teams to ensure efficiency, safety, and product quality within the electrical manufacturing environment. Adapts departmental plans and priorities to align with business needs, production schedules, and resource availability. Ensures compliance with company policies, safety regulations, and industry standards while optimizing workflow and minimizing production downtime. Advises leadership on process improvements, equipment upgrades, and operational strategies to enhance productivity and cost-effectiveness. Provides technical and leadership guidance to supervisors and team members to ensure consistent quality and adherence to production standards.
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Advises leadership on manufacturing strategies and resource allocation to align with organizational objectives.
- ◆Attends management meetings to represent the manufacturing departmentâs interests and drive cross-functional collaboration.
- ◆Manages processes and assignments to streamline manufacturing workflows and ensure timely completion of production goals.
- ◆Defines project terms and sets clear objectives that guide manufacturing initiatives and performance outcomes.
- ◆Devises and implements operational plans that optimize productivity, quality, and efficiency in manufacturing processes.
- ◆Directs work flow across internal teams to integrate cross-functional efforts and maximize resource utilization.
- ◆Educates internal and external stakeholders on industry best practices and regulatory compliance, fostering informed decision-making.
- ◆Ensures compliance with industry regulations, quality standards, and safety protocols to maintain a safe and efficient manufacturing environment.
- ◆Ensures quality by monitoring production processes and implementing corrective actions to meet established standards.
- ◆Performs other duties as assigned
- ◆Complies with all policies and standards
- ◆Manages staff performance and development, coaching team members to achieve their full potential in contributing to the department's goals.
Minimum Education Level: Bachelor's Degree
Specialized Degree: Engineering, business or other related field.
Years of Experience: 5-7 Years
Field of Expertise: Engineering, business or other related field.
Years of Experience: 8-11 Years
Field of Expertise: Manufacturing industry, Continuous Improvement.
Spans of Control
Does this role Manage Southwire Team Members: Yes Number of Direct Reports: 2-5
Travel
Travel: None
Physical
Requirements
Moving: 25%
Standing: 25%
Sitting: 50%
Working Conditions
Office
Plant/Warehouse Floor
Various Shifts
Overtime, Weekends, & Holidays
Equipment
Computer/Keyboard
Safety Glasses
Safety Shoes
Competencies
Attracts Top Talent
Communicates Effectively
Courage
Decision Quality
Drives Results
Financial Acumen
Skills
Production Planning
Environment Health And Safety
Investigation
SAP Applications
Quality Control
Workflow Management
Accountability
Continuous Improvement Process
Good Manufacturing Practices
Lean Manufacturing
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
A leader in technology and innovation, Southwire Company, LLC is one of North America’s largest wire and cable producers. Southwire and its subsidiaries manufacture building wire and cable, utility products, metal-clad cable, portable and electronic cord products, OEM wire products and engineered products. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment, electrical components, hand tools and jobsite power and lighting solutions. The company also offers digital solutions including contractor planning and utility grid resiliency as well as field services including cable testing, rejuvenation and replacement to support our customers as a value-add partner. We are proud to offer competitive compensation, employee benefits, tuition reimbursement and unlimited growth opportunities. Our more than seven decades of progressive growth can be attributed to our determination to developing innovative systems and solutions, exercising environmental stewardship and enhancing the well-being of the communities in which we work and live. How will you power what’s possible?
Location: Starkville, MS Plant
Benefits We Offer
- •401k with Matching
- •Family and Individual Insurance Packages (Health, Life, Dental, and Vision)
- •Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays
- •Long & Short-Term Disability
- •Supplemental Insurance Plans
- •Employee Assistance Program
- •Employee Referral Program
- •Tuition Reimbursement Programs
- •Advancement & Professional Growth opportunities
- •Parental Leave
- •& More
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