Director of Continuous Improvement

Seeking a senior strategic leader responsible for developing and propagating a deep culture of continuous improvement and Lean across a diverse production, repair, logistics and business operations in Aerospace industry.

Ideal candidate would be experienced in operationalizing executive strategy to transform shop-floor execution, back-office processes and drive measurable step level improvement in safety, quality, delivery, and cost. This role will report directly to VP Operations and Transformation.

This is an onsite role working at one of the following US sites: Tampa FL, Windsor CT, Orangeburg NY, Newnan GA, San Antonio TX, Phoenix AZ, San Diego CA, Carson City NV.

Core Responsibilities:

Strategy & Roadmap Development: Evaluate, refine and deploy an enterprise-wide Lean operating system that aligns with long-term business goals. Experience with leading Goal Deployment Process/ Hoshin Kanri is preferred.

Change Management & Culture: Act as a primary change agent, coaching executive leadership and site managers to adopt Lean behaviors, discipline, and data-driven decision-making. Deep experience in practicing and teaching problem solving techniques is preferred.

Operational Excellence: Lead high-impact Kaizen events, Value Stream Analysis, 3P and root cause assessments to eliminate waste and optimize factory throughput. Experience with planning and facilitating large scale and multiple Shingajutsu events in parallel is preferred.

KPI & Governance: Standardize, operationalize and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), lead time reduction, and first-pass yield.

Building CI Talent: Establish internal Lean training programs and develop selected team members to create a self-sustaining network of Lean trainers and practitioners.

Experienced Leader: Lead, mentor and empower team of diverse lean resources to develop and drive lean roadmaps for each site and selected functions, with the goal of achieving and exceeding strategic objectives.

Advise and Communicate: Serve as advisor to senior management, develop coordinate, and execute communication plans for all stakeholders including progress updates, lessons learned, best practices, successes, provide overall transparency on site level and functional CI efforts.

Regulatory Compliance: Develop ecosystem to design and sustain all process improvements to comply with stringent industry standards like AS9100, FAA, and EASA.

High-Complexity Manufacturing: Experience managing Lean in low-volume, high-complexity environments (e.g., component repair, single crystal castings, specialized coatings, special processes, engine assembly and test etc.).

Propagate Safety & Quality Mindset: Ensure that Lean initiatives must prioritize safety and zero-defect quality standards critical to flight safety.

Qualifications:

• Able to travel up to 50% of time, some instance may require 75% of travel.
• 10 years in manufacturing/operations, project/ program management with at least 5 years in a dedicated Lean leadership role.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field; an MBA is preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt is required. PMP certification is preferred.