Position Summary The Global Leader, Value Analysis & Value Engineering (VA/VE) develops and executes strategies to improve machine competitiveness through design optimization, modularization, standardization, should-cost engineering, supplier innovation, and manufacturing excellence.

The leader will collaborate with Engineering, Product Line Leadership, Operations, Supply Chain and Sourcing, and Field Service to deliver sustainable margin improvements while enhancing machine performance, reliability, safety, quality, and customer value.

The role is expected to identify and execute opportunities throughout the machine lifecycle, from design through manufacturing, installation, commissioning, and aftermarket support.

The core of this role is leading structured cost-reduction projects on existing, released machine designs — the primary lever for near-term margin improvement. The leader will also engage at a high level in New Product Development stage-gate reviews, applying should-cost and design-for-value discipline early in the design cycle, with the scope and cadence of that involvement evolving as the function establishes its track record and priorities with business unit leadership.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

- Develop and execute a global VA/VE roadmap aligned with business growth and profitability objectives.
- Create a structured Value Engineering framework across all business units.
- Provide input into reviews of value improvement pipelines and project performance.
- Drive a culture of Design-to-Value and Total Cost of Ownership optimization in the GCC.
- Partner with Product Line Leadership to prioritize and sequence VA/VE capacity between cost-reduction projects on existing designs and stage-gate involvement in New Product Development, adjusting as the function's track record and business needs evolve.

2. Machine Design Optimization

- Lead value engineering activities for custom and configurable machine platforms.
- Drive machine architecture simplification and modularization initiatives.
- Promote standard machine building blocks, reusable designs, and configurable modules.
- Optimize machine specifications to balance performance, cost, and customer requirements.
- Reduce engineering complexity through standardization of mechanical components, electrical controls, PLC platforms, HMI systems, servo systems, pneumatics,



and safety systems.

3. Key Focus Areas

- Design-to-Cost (DTC)
- Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
- Design for Assembly (DFA)
- Design for Serviceability (DFS)
- Design for Reliability (DFR)

4. Cost Engineering and Profitability Improvement

- Develop should-cost models for complete machine assemblies and subsystems.
- Analyze cost drivers across structural fabrication, machining, automation controls, electrical panels, motion control systems, robotics integration, and installation and commissioning.
- Lead product cost benchmarking against competitors.
- Identify opportunities for material optimization, alternative technologies, design simplification, labor reduction, and cycle time improvement.

5. Global Supply Chain and Supplier Value Engineering

- Partner with the Global Supply Chain team to develop cost and performance improvement initiatives.
- Support supplier-driven innovation programs.
- Ensure the VA/VE process includes consideration of alternative suppliers, technologies, and manufacturing methods.
- Support localization strategies and regional sourcing initiatives.

6. Leadership Responsibilities

- Build and lead a team of VA/VE engineers and cost specialists.
- Establish benchmark tools, methodologies, and governance.
- Mentor engineering teams on Value Engineering principles.
- Facilitate Value Analysis workshops and Kaizen events.
- Influence senior leadership on strategic investment and design decisions.

7. Current Product Development (NPD) Stage-Gate Support

- Provide expert-level design review at stage-gate checkpoints, applying should-cost thinking and DFx (DTC, DFM, DFA, DFS, DFR) discipline before designs lock.
- Flag early opportunities for modularity, standardization, and reuse of existing platforms during New Product Development.
- Coordinate with Product Line Leadership on the appropriate level and timing of VA/VE involvement in the gate process.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Financial

- Annual cost savings achieved




- Margin improvement contribution
- Productivity improvement
- Engineering cost reduction
- Return on VA/VE investments

Operational

- Reduction in machine build hours
- Material cost reduction
- Standardization index improvement
- Purchased part reduction
- Supplier cost savings

Engineering

- Design reuse percentage
- Modular platform adoption
- Number of standard components utilized
- Reduction in engineering cycle time
- Design decisions influenced at NPD stage gates

Technical and Operational Leader Capability

Education

- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering.
- Master's Degree preferred.
- MBA preferred for senior business leadership candidates.

Experience

- 15+ years in industrial equipment, automation systems, engineered products, or special-purpose machine manufacturing.
- 10+ years leading engineering, value engineering, operations, or product management teams.
- Demonstrated success delivering multi-million-dollar productivity and margin improvement programs.
- Experience managing global engineering and manufacturing organizations.

Critical Competencies – Technical

- Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE)
- Cost Engineering
- Design-to-Cost
- Modular Design Architecture
- Manufacturing Processes
- Automation Controls
- PLC / HMI Platforms
- Industrial Robotics
- Lean Manufacturing
- Six Sigma
- Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)

Critical Competencies – Leadership

- Strategic Thinking
- Executive Influence
- Global Collaboration
- Change Leadership
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Financial Acumen
- Stakeholder Management
- Customer-Centric Innovation

We believe our culture differentiates us from other firms. To know more about us and our people-centric culture, you may like to watch a 20 Minute video from Late Mr. Robert Chapman - Chairman of Barry-Wehmiller. Please click on the following link to watch the Truly Human Leadership video.

Barry-Wehmiller is a place where you can bring your best self to life through the work that you do — no matter the path you choose.

Watch the video below to hear CEO of Barry-Wehmiller Kyle Chapman discuss how our vast career opportunities empower our team members to choose their own journeys, no matter who they want to be click here to watch

📌 VAVE Leader (Chennai)
🏢 Barry-Wehmiller
📍 Chennai