Lean Manufacturing (VPS) and Digitalisation Manager

Lean Manufacturing (VPS) and Digitalisation Manager

Valeo

Tuam, Ireland

Key Responsibilities

Lean & Continuous Improvement Leadership

• Lead and champion the implementation of a comprehensive Lean strategy (e.g., 5S, TPM, SMED, Value Stream Mapping, Industrial Engineering, Kanban, Standard Work) across all production areas;
• Conduct hands-on Gemba walks and process analysis to identify waste and bottlenecks in current production flows;
• Lead Kaizen events and workshops, coaching local teams to develop a sustainable continuous improvement culture;
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to productivity, OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), scrap reduction, and quality;
• Identify opportunities to integrate digital technologies (e.g. IoT sensors, data analytics, MES/MOM systems, machine learning) to enhance manufacturing processes;
• Hands-on development and deployment of software solutions, including programming, scripting, and system integration, for shop floor applications.

Quality and Productivity Improvement

• Work directly with Quality and Production teams to solve complex manufacturing problems using structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g. PDCA, 8D, Fishbone analysis);
• Develop and implement strategies to reduce process variation and improve first-pass yield (FPY);
• Ensure successful transfer of new processes (Lean and Digital) from pilot to full production scale.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Education Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Industrial, Manufacturing, Computer Science, or related field);
• Experience (Manufacturing) Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in a high-volume manufacturing or production environment;
• Experience (Lean) Proven expertise in deploying and sustaining Lean methodologies;
• Experience (Digital) 3+ years of experience in deploying digitalization projects (e.g., MES, SCADA, IoT) in a manufacturing context;
• Technical Skills (Programming) Demonstrated proficiency in at least one modern programming language (e.g., Python, C#, Java) or scripting for industrial automation and data processing.

Core Competencies

• Production Acumen: Deep, practical understanding of manufacturing operations, capable of operating effectively on the production floor;
• Leadership: Ability to lead cross-functional teams and mentor junior staff in both Lean and Digital skills;
• Problem-Solving: Excellent analytical skills with a focus on root cause analysis and data-driven decision-making;
• Communication: Strong ability to communicate complex technical and process concepts to all organizational levels, from operators to senior management;
• Adaptability: Comfortable managing projects that blend traditional process improvement with emerging technology.