AOS Improvement Leader

About the role

Airbus Aerosystems Kinston is looking for an AOS Improvement Leader to join our team based in Kinston, NC. The Improvement Leader contributes directly to the Airbus Industrial strategy by driving performance and improvement within operational teams with direct contact with key stakeholders. With a deep knowledge of operational business and lean principles, and proven shop-floor experience in Manufacturing, you will address systemic operational performance issues with piloted, standardized and sustainable solutions through the Airbus standards, Airbus Operating model, Lean, continuous improvement tools and principles.

Meet the Team

Our team at Airbus Aerosystems Kinston manufactures crucial aircraft components. On the shop floor you’ll be surrounded by individuals who are passionate about aviation and skilled in areas like electrical, structure and quality. Join our team and help build the next generation of aircraft.

Your Working Environment

The Airbus Aerosystems Kinston facility sits at the forefront of aerospace manufacturing, specializing in the production of large, advanced composite aerostructures. Our team builds critical components for the state-of-the-art Airbus A350 XWB, including the composite center fuselage and wing spar.

Your Challenges

• Contribute directly to the Airbus industrial strategy by defining and deploying ways of working within operational teams and influencing plant management teams (CDT, plant managers, HO functions, Directors, Senior Directors).
• Improve business efficiency and results achievement by advising plant stakeholders at manager and senior manager level on business priorities and how to make the most of the standards, methods and associated behaviors.
• Deployment of business improvement/transformation road maps; identify which Lean/AOS standards best match the manufacturing areas’ needs or trigger new Lean/AOS standards definition.
• Set up and support governance and steering at all levels (with Senior Leadership Teams), securing a deployment roadmap (architecture, ensure roadmap content) and a consolidated AOS architecture strategy.
• Contribute to key projects with Lean/AOS skills and competencies in the frame of ad hoc Top Management Requests (Directors, Senior Directors, Head of Function, COO, CEO) to ensure project outcomes are delivering tangible benefits for the company and enabling sustainable and long-term performance.
• Facilitate workshops on dedicated topics in complex situations or for training purposes (vision, Hoshin Kanri, macro VSM, business VSM, kaizen, etc.).
• Run and facilitate specific Gemba and shop-floor exercises coaching senior management.
• Lead assessments of industrial maturity integrating operations performance and Airbus tools.
• Lead industrial task forces: diagnosis, solution definition and implementation, results achievement.
• Advise Senior Leadership Teams, Directors and managers on how to improve performance.
• Design strategies for coaching, mentoring and training in regards to operations change management, Lean and AOS standards/tools.
• Provide knowledge transfer in dedicated manufacturing areas/populations to local plant teams and Plant Senior Leadership team.
• Grow the knowledge and autonomy of business managers by supporting the implementation of Airbus/AOS/Lean standards and continuous improvement solutions in manufacturing areas.
• Identify and escalate competence gaps to top management.
• Promote the use of internal good practices and external benchmarking by acting transversally with the extended manufacturing communities.

Your Boarding Pass

• 10% Domestic and International travel.

Preferred experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering.
• Solid knowledge and understanding of manufacturing processes, production management and industrialization principles.
• Proven experience (8+ years) in operations and lean/continuous improvement projects demonstrating tangible and sustainable results.
• Experienced in project management, including multi-functional teams and financial aspects.
• Demonstrated operational experience in the implementation and optimization of industrial systems (conception phase, implementation, management of production processes).
• Good communication skills, active listening and a proactive approach to problem solving and decision making.
• Proven coaching/training competencies, leadership and assertiveness to influence and challenge the status quo.
• APICS basic level, Six Sigma/Lean Black Belt, Kepner Tregoe or equivalent preferred.

Eligibility

• Eligible for employment in the US.

Physical Requirements

• Vision: adequate to enter and read material on computer screens; able to identify individuals to initiate greetings, give directions and conduct other business interactions.
• Hearing: able to hear sufficiently to engage in conversation in office settings; able to hear safety alerts and warning signals.
• Speaking: able to engage in conversations in person and via electronic means and deliver information to groups of varying size with or without amplification.
• Equipment Operation: able to operate a wide range of personal and office electronic equipment.
• Carrying: able to occasionally carry up to 30 lbs / 14 kg when engaging in training, addressing production issues or as part of continuous improvement projects.
• Lifting: able to occasionally lift up to 30 lbs / 14 kg.
• Pushing/Pulling: able to push/pull items in office areas.
• Sitting: able to sit for extended periods of time at computer and in meetings.
• Squatting/Kneeling: able to occasionally squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items shelved on bottom shelves.
• Standing: able to stand for extended periods of time.
• Travel: able to travel overseas and domestically, sometimes for extended periods; working outside hangars in changing locations.
• Walking: able to walk through office and production areas, around flight line and airstrips and sometimes on uneven indoor and/or outdoor surfaces.