JobsGenerac

Value Stream Manager

Generac · Sussex, WI

Posted Jul 6, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Tell me about a time you created continuous flow or used a pull system in an area where flow wasn't naturally happening.

hands-on lean implementation experience versus just knowing the vocabulary

Give me an example of standardized work not being followed and how you addressed it with the team.

how they enforce discipline without just issuing orders, and whether they root-cause the deviation

Tell me about a time you had to stop production or a process to fix a quality problem before it went further.

real commitment to quality-first culture versus prioritizing output numbers

Tell me about a time you developed or coached a struggling team member into a stronger performer.

people development skill, since the role owns performance management and succession planning

Tell me about a time you had to get buy-in from a team that was resistant to a lean change you wanted to make.

change management and coaching skill under real pushback

What's an example of a best practice you found in one area and successfully spread to another part of the operation?

whether they can scale improvements and share knowledge across teams, as the posting calls out

Technical

Walk me through a value stream you managed and how you used PDCA and MDI to hit your daily and monthly metrics.

whether they actually run a disciplined, structured improvement process versus reacting day to day

Describe how you'd set up a visual management system in a value stream so problems don't stay hidden.

whether they can translate lean theory into a concrete, working shop floor tool

How have you used Kanban or a plan for every part approach to manage inventory and lead time?

depth of hands-on lean tool experience, since it's called out specifically in the posting

Describe your experience with SAP or a similar ERP system in a manufacturing environment.

practical familiarity with the systems this plant runs on, not just general software comfort

How do you decide which KPIs actually drive sustainable improvement versus ones that just look good on a report?

metric fluency and judgment about what really matters for people, safety, quality, delivery, and cost

Situational

Suppose your value stream is missing its delivery metric for the third week in a row but safety and quality numbers look fine. What do you do first?

whether they diagnose root cause rather than just pushing people to work harder

How would you lead a new product introduction into an existing value stream without disrupting current output?

ability to balance NPI launch responsibilities against ongoing operational commitments

If two of your team leads disagree on how to solve a recurring downtime issue, how do you handle that as their manager?

conflict resolution style and whether they default to data and process over authority

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The full job description

As published by Generac.

We believe power is a promise - a shared commitment to be there for others when it matters most. For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable energy future. Ready to Power a Smarter World with us? The Value Stream Manager has responsibility and leadership for overall operation of a value stream. The Value Stream Manager implements the Generac Manufacturing System (GMS) to ensure a safe work environment, drive quality improvements, provide an excellent customer experience, develop a qualified team, maximize profitable growth and reduce operating costs, inventories & lead times through continuous improvements. The Value Stream Manager leads day-to-day activities to deliver daily, monthly, quarterly and yearly expectations of metric performance. Essential Duties & Responsibilities: • Lead the Value Stream in daily operations and continuous improvement activities. Emphasize the creation of continuous product flow, utilize pull systems where flow is not currently possible, and work to level the workload. • Create the basis for continuous improvement and employee empowerment by ensuring that standardized work/processes are followed, countermeasures implemented and the area drives safety improvements. • Create the foundation of a culture that stops to fix problems in order to get quality right the first time. • Instill and maintain a positive can-do team atmosphere within the Value Stream. • Designs and directs the work of the functional area. Selects, coaches and develops the team, setting objectives that align with company strategy to inspire and motivate the team. Manages organizational talent through performance management, succession planning and development. Designs and directs processes by which team and individual performance are recognized, feedback is consistently delivered and performance is systematically improved. • Utilize PDCA process in conjunction with the MDI process to deliver metric results in people, safety, quality, delivery & cost. Develop a visual value steam that ensures problems do not remain hidden. Perform Leader Standard Work to deliver consistent execution of processes and procedures. • Ensure leaders provide effective training & cross-training for the employees, including backups from other areas, to assure a continuous smooth running Value Stream. • Develop and execute short and long range continuous improvement plans to deliver improvements in people, safety, quality, delivery & cost metrics. • Other Duties as assigned and the following: Responsible for leading and coordinating the successful launch of New Product Introductions (NPI) within Operations. Participate in the development of standards and programs. Participate in the development and implementation of facility strategic plans and initiatives. • Facilitate the flow of information sharing of best practices and external benchmarks. Minimal Qualifications: • Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or related field OR equivalent experience • 5 years progressive operations or lean management experience • Preferred Qualifications: • 3 years of demonstrated implementation experience in Lean principles • Lean, Operations or Supply Chain Certifications • Experience with SAP or equivalent ERP system • Demonstrated experience in flow principles, Kanban, and plan for every part (PFEP) • Demonstrated experience in leadership with a diversity of team skills Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: • Experiment and Push Boundaries - Designs/implements facility solutions that challenge the norm • Ideate & Breakthrough - Analyzes and implements successful facility change • Connect & Coach - Creates cross functional dialog, drives action through coaching • Continuous Improvement - Uses KPI’s to create reliable/sustainable improvements, drives standard work, focuses on process • Drive to Win - Sets high performance standards, Monitors/redirects ensuring project results, Coaches balance, problem solving, improved customer/employee experience Physical Demands : While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk.  On occasion the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend or reach above the shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 - 50 pounds. Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision and ability to adjust focus. “We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”

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