Manager, Continuous Improvement

AeroVironment • Simi Valley, CA

4d • $98,432 - $139,650

About The Position

Provide leadership to integrate the SC Strategy with Continuous improvement through execution of best practices. Lead, drive and influence continuous improvement throughout the organization. Facilitate efforts for waste and constraint elimination. Provide leadership, coaching and counseling for competency and capability building. Establish detailed program plans including identification and coordination of all necessary resources.

Requirements

• 7 years of direct experience, including 3 years management experience
• Bachelors – directly related degree (Engineering Preferable)
• Eligibility to obtain a Secret level clearance
• Strong computer skills are a must, as is the ability to quickly pick up new programs and techniques as technology evolves
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to evaluate and interpret trends and important information
• Work with different departments and as part of a team, so excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required
• Being able to identify issues or ways to improve systems that are already in place is a key job function, so this position requires critical thinkers who can successfully troubleshoot and solve problems
• Experience with Foundational Best Practices (5S, Visual Performance Management, Focused Improvement, Teamwork)
• Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances
• Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees
• Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness, and the creation of a shared vision
• Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change
• Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships
• Assesses the degree of risk and opportunity in plans or actions and takes appropriate action to mitigate them or makes plans to build on the opportunity
• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.
• ITAR U.S. Citizenship required

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in a relevant field is a plus.
• Certification in Lean Six Sigma (e.g., Green Belt, Black Belt) is highly desirable.
• Program management experience preferred
• Previous experience in the aerospace or defense industry is advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change management initiatives and overcome resistance to change.
• Proactive and self-motivated with a continuous improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning and Execution Ensure understanding & alignment of best practices among businesses.
• Champion the advancement of Best Practices across Enterprise.
• Assure sustainability via execution of evergreen audit processes.
• Provide Connection to all Continuous Improvement project Rituals.
• Ritual 1: process to ensure identification of improvement projects to close gaps.
• Ritual 2: ensures Cl resources sufficient in numbers and capability to lead improvement work Ritual 3: facilitates managing processes to address performance gaps (ie. VPM).
• Ritual 4: facilitates implementation of decision boards, ensure optimization and execution of the project portfolio Performance Management Ensure the Supply Chain attributes DPSQCM are cascaded from the SC Strategy and conveyed for understanding and execution.
• Work with business operations leaders to deliver on PTOI Improvement commitments.
• Consult, coach and facilitate appropriate use of standard metrics within standard performance management processes.
• Culture Change and Leader Standard Work Influence and advance the models for Leader Standard Work (LSW).
• Support PLM’s and overall site for rituals and Performance Management.
• Drive behavioral transformation through Mindset & Behavior strategic commitment.
• Continuous Improvement Create and foster the continuous improvement culture throughout the organization.
• Ensure processes exist and are functioning to fill and execute the improvement project portfolio plan pipeline for reduction of waste and constraints in Plan/Source/Make/Deliver/Return processes.
• Break down barriers to drive continuous improvements.
• Ensure an effective Decision Board process is in place which secures appropriate staffing, clarity on project goals, milestones, and deliverables.
• Ensure the integration of cross-functional improvement teams efforts (across Plan, Source, Make, Deliver, and Return; inclusive of integrated Operations: Quality, Engineering).
• Integrate work with corporate improvement initiatives.
• Maximize leverage and integration across Supply Chain and Businesses.
• Drive improvement through external and internal BIC best in class) benchmarks.
• Financial Impact of Operations Drive and manage operations best practices to assure business productivity improvements are met.
• This includes championing the business productivity improvement tracking process, championing resourcing of key Cl projects aligned with supply chain and operations strategies / CSFs and business strategy / CSFs.
• Individual & Organization Capability Development Provide leadership, coaching and counseling for competency and capability building to enhance continuous improvement in the organization.
• Responsible to foster Best Practice capabilities of the organization.
• Encourage best practice sharing and foster creation and continuity of networks I peer learning opportunities.
• Consult / support Operations Directors, Business Leaders, and Steering Committees.
• Pursue personal journey to refine personal Mindsets & Behaviors capability (M&B).
• Communication, Networks & Forums Participate in Best Practice Networks and Roundtable events.
• Communicate and market Best Practices.
• Communicate continuous improvement approaches (technology, strategy, etc.)

Benefits

• AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager