Chief of Staff

Airbus•Kinston, NC

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief of Staff acts as the strategic partner and facilitator for the Kinston plant leadership team, ensuring the seamless execution of operational strategies, governance cycles, and cross-functional transformation initiatives. The role exists to optimize executive decision-making, drive site competitiveness, and coordinate critical performance recovery plans across the manufacturing facility.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, manufacturing, or a related industrial discipline, or equivalent experience in a manufacturing environment.
8+ years of professional experience in an aerospace, complex manufacturing, or high-level industrial engineering environment, with a demonstrated history of coordinating cross-functional projects.
Strong understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes, industrial performance metrics, operational recovery frameworks, and project management methodologies.
Strong business acumen with the capability to support financial budget reviews and analyze operational data.
Excellent written and verbal English communication skills are required.
Demonstrated ability to draft professional, board-level executive briefings and present complex operational data clearly to diverse internal stakeholders, plant leadership, and global executives.
Proficiency with advanced operational and data analysis systems (such as Skywise), project management tracking software, and standard executive suite tools (presentation design, spreadsheets, and reporting databases).
Able to work in US without current or need for visa sponsorship.
Exercises independent judgment in defining meeting agendas, structuring governance schedules, tracking key operational actions, and prioritizing executive briefings for the General Manager & Vice President.
Formulates clear, evidence-based options and recommendations for complex strategic or operational changes impacting the plant, and consults directly with the General Manager & Vice President prior to implementation.
Operates within a highly complex, multi-layered aerospace environment, requiring the synthesis of diverse technical, financial, and operational variables to support site competitiveness.
Able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings.
Able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on production floor including safety warnings or alarms.
Able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications.
Able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts.
Able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30 lbs / 14 kgs.
Able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30 lbs / 14 kgs.
Able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools.
Able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer.
Able to stand for discussions in offices or on production floor.
Able to travel independently and at short notice (approximately 10% of the time).
Able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces.
Required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, and/or Protective Gloves as required by site and/or customer site. Steel-toed shoes are required for all shop floor visits.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.
Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered.

Nice To Haves

Master's or postgraduate degree in business administration, engineering management, or industrial leadership.
10+ years of experience with direct exposure to aerospace plant management operations, strategic operational recovery, or management consulting.
Project Management Professional (PMP) or Lean Six Sigma certif
Familiarity with the Airbus Operating System (AOS) and Lean manufacturing practices
Able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving.

Responsibilities

Implement and maintain the Kinston plant governance structure.
Drive and track the Objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) cascade across the manufacturing facility.
Facilitate the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) standard agenda, managing performance routines and optimizing systems such as CVAT (Cost Value Analysis Tool) and Skywise to ensure strategic operational alignment.
Oversee operational transformation initiatives and competitiveness workstreams across the Kinston plant.
Collaborate closely with the Finance department to analyze and monitor cost reduction trajectories, specifically aligning plant operational performance with the Sparrow cost trajectory program.
Direct high-priority 'Tier 1' strategic initiatives and complex plant-wide projects on behalf of the General Manager.
Act as a Recovery Manager to rapidly mobilize cross-functional teams, resolving critical production bottlenecks and restoring baseline operational performance during disruptions.
Draft executive briefings, tactical status reports, and strategic presentations for Senior Vice Presidents (SVPs) and Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs).
Act as the central operational liaison between the General Manager & Vice President and key functional departments, including Human Resources, Finance, Value Stream Management (VSM), Engineering, Quality, and Operations.
Represent plant leadership in internal regional working groups and key operational committees to foster organizational alignment and smooth program execution.
Other duties as assigned.