Business Transformation Director
GKN
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Job summary
GKN Aerospace in Luton seeks a driven Business Transformation Director to lead site-wide transformation, including Site Development, Programme Growth, and NPI management. You will partner with Site leadership and Finance to guide the site’s growth and transformation program.
You will build high-performing teams, manage risk, and align stakeholders across manufacturing, engineering, and supply chains. The role requires UK security vetting and a strong record of delivering complex improvement
Qualifications
- Significant executive accountability experience in manufacturing.
- Strong leadership with a track record of directing high-performing teams.
- Proven ability to influence across functional boundaries and supplier networks.
- Experience in Lean-based production environments is desirable.
Responsibilities
- Lead the Site Development and capital project portfolio at the Luton facility.
- Drive Programme Growth, NPI, and breakthrough initiatives.
- Own business process improvements including capacity planning and cost of quality.
- Provide risk management, stakeholder engagement and governance across programs.
Skills
Education
Job description
- Accountable for the full development of the Canopies Advanced Coating Facility Upgrade program. Delivered in compliance with the business case and customer agreement throughout the complete life cycle. Inclusive of all construction, equipment, and broader enabling activities.
- Lead the delivery of large, multifaceted, capital projects that significantly impact the operation of the site.
- Deliver a path to external funding and plan to expand the Luton site with an additional facility for future programmes. Interface with internal/external stakeholders for all aspects of the initiatives.
- Support business development to host strategic business opportunities for new customers, highlighting the technical and commercial opportunities that collaborating with Luton site can achieve.
- Deliver new product introduction projects, leading integrated project teams to design, develop and certify new products at Luton
- Lead the definition and monthly reporting of Annual Improvement Plans (AIP)
- Ensure action closure of all items generated on the AIP, supporting the transformation of Luton business.
- 2026 Priorities are to eliminate arrears and improve productivity
- Accountable for the development and deployment of Sales, Inventory and Operational planning. Including the:
- Demonstration of available/forecast orders for existing and new business
- Analysis of capacity availability, for equipment and headcount, and actions necessary to achieve constrained and unconstrained demand
- Calculation of Inventory entitlement dependent upon rate
- Identification of indirect resource needs for sustaining and NPI
- Financial reconciliation of proposed plans
- Publication of identified actions, and holding all functions accountable for respective closure
- Accountable for the integration of all variables that impact available capacity, and determination of a reporting methodology to monitor progress of actions. Focus on Cost of Poor Quality and Productivity.
- Partner with the Site Director, Operations Director and Finance Director to define the vision, strategy, objectives, operational plan and budget for the future of the Luton site
- Where necessary, engage with local project and operations teams to resolve specific challenges impacting external stakeholders or achievement of budgeted financial targets.
- Actively manage risk and opportunities to mitigate risk exposure and understand opportunities
- Responsible for creating a Great Place to Work and for championing the GKN Aerospace 5 culture principles
Significant relevant business experience, with a strong record of performance - Demonstrated experience in roles with executive accountability
- Significant experience within the manufacturing industry, ideally in complex operational environments
- Proven ability to influence across functional boundaries, both internally and within supplier organisations
- Capability to lead, coach, and mentor highly skilled and experienced direct reports
- A strong track record of providing leadership and direction through effective communication and the development of high-performing teams
- Be able to demonstrate interpersonal, negotiation, organisational and communication skills
- A degree or advanced degree in Business, such as an MBA
- Experience operating within a Lean-based Production System
- Broad understanding of the Aerospace industry
We are seeking a driven and highly organised transformation leader who is passionate about delivering meaningful change and shaping the future. You will be resilient, solutions-focused, and able to inspire others, bringing teams together to achieve ambitious goals. With the ability to influence at all levels, you will lead the site on its transformation journey with a strong focus on growth, innovation, and continuous improvement. Note: Some GKN programmes are subject to regulatory restrictions which may impact certain nationalities. As part of the application process you will be asked to declare when applying for this role. The position requires UK National Security Vetting (UKNSV) Security clearance (SC) due to the nature and responsibilities of the work carried out. In order for us to obtain an SC you usually need to have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years to current date (but we do assess each case individually). Core operational hours at our Luton site are: 07:30 - 16:30 Monday to Thursday & 07:30 - 12:30 Friday.
GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we're inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We're proud to play a part in protecting the world's democracies. And we're committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world's aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career., We're looking for a Business Transformation Director to join our team at GKN Aerospace's Luton manufacturing facility. In this high-impact leadership role, you will be responsible for driving the delivery of the site's strategic transformation agenda, including Site Development, Programme Growth, New Product Introduction (NPI) management, breakthrough initiatives, and business process improvement activities. You will also lead a range of strategic projects aligned to the Luton site's long-term growth and transformation plans. GKN Luton is a stable, high-performing facility with ambitious plans for growth and development in the months and years ahead. This is a unique opportunity to work closely with the Site Director and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the site. Our Luton facility is where innovation meets heritage. Since 1993, the site has been at the forefront of aerospace technology, specialising in commercial and military ice protection systems and transparencies. With a strong reputation for engineering excellence and a proud legacy of innovation, we are now entering an exciting new phase of transformation.
We'll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go? A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we've created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It's a culture that won us 'The Best Workplace Culture Award'. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work. We're also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know. We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.
- Comprehensive salary and benefits package
- Benefits package including annual bonus, car allowance, fuel allowance, private medical cover
- Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we'll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
- Life Assurance 8 x salary
- 185 hours holiday + bank holidays
- Income protection
- Shopping discounts
- Cycle To Work Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
- Electric Vehicle (EV) salary sacrifice scheme (Insurance, servicing, maintenance, roadside assistance and more included)
- Free onsite parking
- Local gym discount
- Free airport parking
- Enhanced family friendly leave
- A collaborative, dynamic working environment
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