Continuous Improvement Manager - Plant 3

Howmet Aerospace•Whitehall, MI

27d•Onsite

About The Position

The Continuous Improvement Manager is an expert in continuous improvement processes who teaches and facilitates implementation of standard operational excellence methods and tools to deliver results in safety, throughput, productivity, cost, and inventory and delivery performance. This position is located in Plant 3 in Whitehall, Michigan.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Minimum 7 years’ experience in a Continuous Improvement capacity
Minimum 5 years of experience in a leadership role
Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, specifically Industrial Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering, or Supply Chain from an accredited institution
Ability to demonstrate a solid understanding of HBS and/or Toyota Production System
Demonstrated experience in teaching/coaching/mentoring others - leading diverse groups to drive major change initiatives
Experience with Hoshin framework, TPM/OEE, 5S, Kaizen, visual factory management, work design and A3 thinking and improvement plans improvement atmosphere
Experience in investment casting or aerospace component manufacturing
Lean manufacturing experience in aerospace, defense, or automotive industry
Familiarity with AS9100 quality standards and NADCAP compliance
Hands-on leadership style with ability to engage on the shop floor
Proven results facilitating continuous improvement activity
Strong computer and relationship skills, proficient in Microsoft Office
Ability to speak and present effectively to personnel at all levels of the organization
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
Power BI report creation
SQL exports into Excel database in order to turn data into information
Passion for continuous learning, teaching, and building capability in others

Responsibilities

Facilitate the development, deployment, and execution of annual Hoshin plans across all departments.
Ensure alignment between corporate strategy, plant-level objectives, and frontline daily management systems.
Lead strategy review (catchball) processes and ensure cascading of goals and metrics through the organization.
Track progress against breakthrough objectives and ensure countermeasures are in place when gaps are identified.
Serve as the plant’s Lean expert and coach for all levels of the organization.
Standardize and sustain key Lean systems, including Daily Management, A3 Thinking, Value Stream Mapping, and Kaizen.
Champion structured problem solving using 8D, 5 Whys, and DMAIC tools.
Facilitate targeted Kaizen events to improve flow, reduce waste, and optimize process stability in wax, shell, foundry, and finishing departments.
Drive a visual factory environment with strong linkage between metrics and actions at all levels.
Support operational excellence scorecards and provide monthly updates to leadership on progress.
Act as a catalyst for cultural transformation by promoting employee involvement and ownership in improvement efforts.
Train, mentor, and coach leaders, supervisors, and frontline employees in Lean thinking and continuous improvement tools.
Develop internal CI champions and foster team-based problem-solving capability.
Lead cross-functional projects focused on improving productivity, reducing variation, and enhancing throughput in complex casting processes.
Ensure all improvement projects deliver measurable and sustainable business impact.