Senior Material Handling & Lean Operations Expert

Job Title:

Location: California (client site on-site / hybrid flexibility depending on project phase)

Type: Contracted (project-based typically 612 months with strong potential for extension)

Compensation: Competitive commensurate with experience

Overview

VDS Consulting Group is seeking a proven Senior Lean Practitioner and Material Handling Expert to drive transformational improvements for a high-volume low-mix equipment manufacturer in this hands-on consulting role you will partner directly with plant leadership and operations teams to optimize material flow eliminate waste and deliver rapid measurable gains in productivity inventory turns and on-time delivery.

This is a high-impact opportunity for a lean expert who thrives in repetitive manufacturing environments. You will design and implement best-in-class material handling systems that support high-volume production with minimal product variationthink standardized processes point-of-use delivery and flow optimization that directly contribute to EBITDA uplift and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead comprehensive material-handling assessments and redesign material-flow strategies (PFEP supermarkets kanban milk-run/tugger systems automated guided vehicles and point-of-use storage) tailored to high-volume low-mix production.
• Apply deep lean expertise to identify and eliminate waste in internal logistics line-side replenishment and warehouse-to-line movement while maintaining or improving safety and quality standards.
• Develop and execute value-creation playbooks focused on material handling including layout optimization visual management standard work for material handlers and integration with production scheduling.
• Coach and mentor client teams on lean principles change management and sustained continuous improvement (Kaizen events daily management systems and performance dashboards).
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders (operations engineering supply chain and finance) to quantify improvements track KPIs (OEE inventory turns labor efficiency dock-to-line time) and deliver 100-day action plans with clear ROI.
• Support broader portfolio operations initiatives including supply-chain synchronization and cost-reduction programs tied to material handling excellence.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 8 years of hands-on lean practitioner experience in manufacturing operations with a strong emphasis on material handling and logistics optimization.
• Proven track record in high-volume low-mix environments (equipment manufacturing automotive components appliances or similar repetitive production settings is highly preferred).
• Deep expertise in lean tools and methodologies: PFEP value-stream mapping Kanban 5S SMED pull systems and material-flow simulation.
• Demonstrated success delivering measurable results (e.g. 2040% reduction in material-handling labor 30% improvement in inventory turns or significant OEE gains).
• Prior experience in private-equity-backed or portfolio companies is a strong plus.
• Excellent communication influence and project-management skills; able to operate independently and drive change in a fast-paced plant environment.
• Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering Supply Chain Operations or related field required; Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification strongly preferred.
• Willingness to be on-site in California for the duration of the engagement.

If you are a results-oriented lean expert who has transformed material handling in high-volume manufacturing settings and are ready to deliver tangible value for a PE-backed equipment manufacturer we want to hear from you.