Continuous Improvement Manager

What you’ll do:

Position Summary:
The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for leading and driving operational excellence, business process improvement, and lean transformation initiatives across a 550-employee aerospace manufacturing facility. Reporting directly to the Plant Manager, this position serves as a key member of the site leadership team and partners with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, Supply Chain, Program Management, Maintenance, Finance, Human Resources, and other support functions to improve performance across all business processes.

The role is accountable for establishing and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement through the deployment of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and problem-solving methodologies. The Continuous Improvement Manager will identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, productivity, and employee engagement while ensuring compliance with aerospace industry requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Continuous Improvement Leadership
• Develop and execute the site's continuous improvement strategy aligned with business objectives and customer requirements.
• Serve as the primary change agent for operational excellence initiatives across all functions.
• Partner with the Plant Manager and leadership team to establish annual improvement priorities and measurable targets.
• Build a culture that embraces data-driven decision-making, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence
• Lead deployment and sustainment of Lean Manufacturing principles throughout the facility.
• Facilitate value stream mapping and identify waste reduction opportunities across manufacturing and administrative processes.
• Drive implementation of Lean tools including:
          o 5S
          o Standard Work
          o Visual Management
          o Daily Management Systems
          o Kaizen Events
          o Error-Proofing (Poka-Yoke)
          o TPM (Total Productive Maintenance)
          o Pull Systems and Flow Improvements
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure improvement effectiveness.

Business Process Improvement
• Lead cross-functional efforts to streamline and optimize processes across:
          o Operations
          o Manufacturing Engineering
          o Quality Engineering
          o Supply Chain
          o Materials Management
          o Program Management
          o Maintenance
          o Finance
          o Human Resources
          o Administrative Functions
• Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and systemic issues impacting business performance.
• Develop sustainable solutions that improve cycle times, productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Problem Solving and Data Analytics
• Facilitate structured problem-solving activities using methodologies such as:
          o DMAIC
          o PDCA
          o A3
          o Root Cause Analysis
          o 8D
          o Fishbone Diagrams
          o Statistical Analysis
• Analyze operational data and trends to identify improvement opportunities.
• Utilize data visualization and reporting tools to communicate performance and progress.

Workforce Development and Culture
• Develop and deliver training programs on Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Mentor leaders, supervisors, engineers, and frontline employees on improvement practices.
• Facilitate Kaizen workshops and continuous improvement events.
• Lead employee engagement efforts that encourage idea generation and ownership of improvement activities.

Project Management
• Manage a portfolio of continuous improvement projects from identification through implementation and sustainment.
• Establish clear project charters, timelines, deliverables, and financial impact measurements.
• Ensure project benefits are validated and sustained through appropriate controls and monitoring.

Qualifications:

Required (Basic) Qualifications: 
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in Lean Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, and/or Operational Excellence
• Minimum two (2) years of supervisory or manager of people experience in a manufacturing environment
• Must be able to work in the United States without corporate sponsorship now and within the future
• This position requires access to export-controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must be a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158. 

Preferred Qualifications:
• Seven (7) years of experience in Lean Six Sigma and/or Operational Excellence

Additional Information:

Key Performance Indicators:
The Continuous Improvement Manager will be measured through improvements in:
• Safety performance
• Cost of poor quality
• Manufacturing lead time
• Labor productivity
• Inventory turns
• Scrap and rework reduction
• Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
• Working capital improvements
• Employee engagement in continuous improvement activities
• Annual cost savings and productivity improvements