Manager, Continuous Improvement

Howmet Aerospace•Brea, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

A Continuous Improvement (CI) Engineer is a manufacturing and process optimization professional who applies Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other improvement methodologies to identify inefficiencies, reduce waste, and enhance productivity and quality across operations. The CI Engineer drives the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives to streamline production processes, improve quality, and meet organizational goals. They work closely with cross-functional teams to integrate improvements across the organization. These teams include Operations, Engineering, Processing, Quality, and Tooling.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering: industrial, mechanical, manufacturing, or related field; advanced degrees preferred
Certifications : Lean, Six Sigma (Black Belt), ISO/TS 16949, Kaizen, 5S, TPM, DMAIC
7+ years in manufacturing, production planning, or process improvement; experience with APQP, FMEA, SPC, MSA
Previous supervisory experience leading salaried teams of 4-7+
Knowledge of ERP (JDE), MS Office Suite and productivity tools.
Strong problem-solving, statistical analysis, project management, and communication skills; proficiency in MS Office, ERP systems, and process mapping tools
Effective verbal and written communications skills at all levels of the organization, especially with direct employees
This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant's ability to lawfully obtain access to such items

Nice To Haves

advanced degrees preferred
Lean, Six Sigma (Black Belt), ISO/TS 16949, Kaizen, 5S, TPM, DMAIC certifications

Responsibilities

Analyze manufacturing and production processes to identify areas for improvement; implement Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to optimize workflows
Collect, analyze, and interpret data (KPIs, process audits, FMEA, SPC) to measure improvement effectiveness
Lead and facilitate Kaizen events, process audits, and improvement projects; manage timelines, resources, and deliverables
Develop and maintain process documentation, standard operating procedures, and standardized work charts
Work with engineering, QA, EHS, supply chain, and operations to integrate improvements and ensure sustainability
Train and mentor staff on new processes, tools, and improvement techniques.
Select, develop, and maintain tools, fixtures, and equipment to support process improvements
Ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations; contribute to EHS initiatives
Other duties as assigned to meet department goals