Continuous Improvement Specialist

About the Role

Howmet Aerospace is searching for a Continuous Improvement Specialist to join our Howmet Wheel Systems (HWS) business unit. This position will work closely with the plants located in Cleveland, OH and Barberton, OH, splitting the majority of time between both locations.

Howmet Aerospace (NYSE: HWM) creates breakthrough products that shape industries. Working in close partnership with our customers, we solve complex engineering challenges to transform the way we fly, drive, and power. Through the ingenuity of our people and cutting-edge advanced manufacturing techniques, we deliver these products at a quality and efficiency that ensure customer success and shareholder value.

Howmet Wheel Systems (HWS) is a business unit with a rich tradition and a bright future. We invented the forged wheel in 1948 and have remained the global leader in providing safe, strong, lightweight, and innovative aluminum transportation products ever since. HWS employs 1,900 people at 12 locations worldwide and produces over 4 million aluminum wheels globally with annual sales exceeding $1 billion. Our customers trust us to deliver a wide range of dependable products that improve fuel economy and increase payload.

Responsibilities

• Drive the execution of Howmet Business Systems (HBS) manufacturing principles and techniques that deliver productivity meeting or exceeding cost savings targets (as measured in DI system).
• Utilize performance metrics monitoring, observation techniques, and data analysis tools to identify opportunities that close performance gaps via A3 thinking.
• Facilitate successful kaizen and rapid improvement process events, including support required to sustain improvements.
• Coach and support operational leaders in meeting business improvement metrics and driving cultural change through HBS methods, with a focus on problem-solving strategies.
• Support the development of visual tools utilizing digital automation to upgrade operating systems and performance monitoring.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives throughout manufacturing, identifying process inefficiencies, bottlenecks, waste, and opportunities for improvement.
• Help develop and maintain process documentation, standard work instructions, process maps, and visual work aids.
• Assist in measuring and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as productivity, scrap, downtime, quality, throughput, and labor efficiency.
• Follow up on improvement projects to verify sustainable results.
• Assist with time studies, process observations, and workflow analysis.
• Support implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Help facilitate improvement meetings and Kaizen events.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve workflow, increase capacity, and lower operating costs.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment/organization.
• 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.
• This position is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which requires U.S. person status (U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, Political Asylee, or Refugee).
• Ability to travel as needed.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Manufacturing Technology from an accredited institution.
• Experience leading kaizen activities.
• Relevant certification (Six Sigma, Lean, ASQ Certification, etc.).
• Prior manufacturing experience.
• Experience with smart manufacturing technologies (historian, PLC data collection, MES, etc.).
• Working knowledge of lean manufacturing and rapid improvement techniques.

About Us

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts, and forged wheels. With $8.3 billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to customer success and a positive global impact.