Business Analyst

Job Title: Value Stream Mapping & Operations Support Analyst (Business Analyst)

Job Description

The Value Stream Mapping & Operations Support Analyst supports the Tool & Die organization by analyzing, documenting, and improving end-to-end operational processes related to designing, building, modifying, and maintaining dies and tooling assets. This role helps the team understand how jobs connect throughout the die-build lifecycle, where handoffs or constraints occur, and how operational decisions affect cost, timing, quality, and capacity. The analyst serves as a key liaison between the operational team and the finance lead, enhancing visibility into work orders, resource needs, budget performance, and continuous improvement opportunities across the location.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain current-state and future-state value stream maps for Tool & Die operations.
• Analyze how die build, repair, modification, tryout, maintenance, and launch activities flow through the organization.
• Identify bottlenecks, handoff delays, rework loops, redundant steps, and non-value-added activities in operational processes.
• Recommend process improvements to enhance cycle time, throughput, productivity, quality, and cost performance.
• Support Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence initiatives within Tool & Die operations.
• Document relationships and dependencies between toolmakers, machining, engineering, operations, maintenance, production, suppliers, and finance.
• Map how work orders, tooling requests, urgent repairs, and planned die-build activities move through the location.
• Support capacity planning, prioritization, workload visibility, and status tracking for operational leadership.
• Help align cross-functional teams around process ownership, timing expectations, escalation paths, and resource constraints.
• Prepare clear summaries, analyses, and recommendations for operational reviews and leadership discussions.
• Work closely with the finance lead to track tooling spend, labor impacts, work order activity, budget status, and cost drivers.
• Review work orders and project activity to help ensure alignment with approved budgets and business priorities.
• Support forecasting, cost tracking, and reporting related to Tool & Die operational expenses.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and help quantify the financial impact of proposed process improvements.
• Analyze the operational impact of budget constraints and recommend options to balance cost, timing, and business needs.
• Create reports, dashboards, trackers, and visual management tools to monitor process flow and operational performance.
• Track key performance indicators such as work order completion, cycle time, backlog, capacity, utilization, spend, budget variance, and delivery performance.
• Translate operational data into clear insights and actionable recommendations for leadership, finance, and shop-floor stakeholders.
• Support special projects focused on improving visibility, accountability, and execution within Tool & Die operations.
• Collaborate regularly with operations, engineering, and finance teams to identify and implement efficiencies across the organization.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in project management, manufacturing, operations, process improvement, tooling, or finance support.
• At least 3 years of experience applying strong analytical, communication, facilitation, and problem-solving skills in a professional setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Proficiency with Excel and reporting tools, including the ability to interpret and analyze operational and financial data.
• Hands-on experience with value stream mapping and process analysis.
• Experience creating dashboards and visual management tools to support performance visibility.
• Background in financial analysis related to operational activities and budgets.
• Experience in business coordination across operations, engineering, and finance functions.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Value Stream Mapping Background with demonstrated use in manufacturing or operations environments.
• Manufacturing process improvement experience, particularly within tooling or production operations.
• Experience supporting continuous improvement, Lean manufacturing, or operational excellence initiatives.
• Project management experience involving cross-functional teams and complex workflows.
• Strong interpersonal skills to facilitate discussions and align diverse stakeholders around common goals.

This is a Contract position based out of Dearborn, MI.

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $40.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Dearborn,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 7, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.