Manager, Continuous Improvement

Worker Type

Job Description
 

Summary

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.

Position 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.)

** This role will initially be based in Simi Valley, CA, with a future requirement for onsite work in Salt Lake City, Utah.**

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• 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

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• 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.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office or warehouse environment (Constant)
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Special Requirements

• 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.

Clearance Level
 

The salary range for this role is:

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

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.  For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:  http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply.  NO agencies please.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems.  Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR