Continuous Improvement Lead

British Airways plc; Hounslow; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff travel benefits including untlmd

Up to 30 discounted hotline airfares

Job summary

British Airways plc is seeking a dynamic Continuous Improvement Lead to advance Lean initiatives across Heathrow's Engineering Operation. You will drive data‑driven improvements, lead CI teams, and partner with Operational Excellence to standardise processes and reduce waste.

With proven capability in Lean methodologies and a track record in aviation or similar high‑stakes environments, you will mentor others, manage workshops end-to-end, and champion a culture of proactive improvement across

Qualifications

• Proven track record in leading transformational change and CI teams.
• Extensive CI/Lean experience in aviation MRO or similar.
• Lean certifications such as Lean Practitioner or Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt.
• Proficiency in Value Stream mapping, 5S and DMAIC.
• Familiarity with aviation regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end people management and HR policy application.
• Collaborate with Operational Excellence leads to identify improvements via data analysis.
• Develop and implement Lean improvements.
• Facilitate rapid improvement events and root cause analysis.
• Train and coach teams in Lean thinking.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration to adopt CI practices.
• Measure and report results to senior leadership.
• Champion operational excellence across facilities.
• Manage end-to-end workshop scoping, implementation and benefits.
• Assess CI maturity and embed sustainable Lean practices.
• Be part of CI/Lean community across E&M.

Skills

Analytical

Problem solving

Lean thinking

Data analysis

Leadership

Communication

Education

Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt

Lean Practitioner certification

Tools

Value Stream mapping

DMAIC

5S

Job description

A Career Without Limits

British Airways has been flying for over 100 years and our success has been driven by our team’s passion and drive for excellence. If you’re made of the same qualities as us, you could soon be part of the next chapter of our story. Great journeys require first-class aircraft. That’s why our world class engineering function is so important to the British Airways customer experience. In our team, you get to work in unrivalled facilities on one of the most diverse fleets around. Get ready to push your engineering skills to ensure our customers fly in the safest, most reliable aircraft in the skies. In return for keeping our fleet at the forefront of the sector, you’ll receive great rewards and lots of scope to develop your engineering skills and progress your career.

Are you a dynamic and visionary leader with a passion for aviation? British Airways is looking for an exceptional Aircraft Duty Engineer to inspire and lead our talented team of licensed engineers. In this pivotal role, you will be at the helm of our Heathrow Engineering Operation, ensuring that we continue to provide the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and innovation for one of the world’s most renowned airlines. British Airways is a global leader in aviation, known for its rich history and commitment to excellence. As the backbone of our operation, the Engineering team ensures our fleet remains at the front of safety and performance. We pride ourselves on our heritage and our dedication to providing extraordinary experiences for our passengers. Join us, and you’ll play a key part in leading our Engineering workforce toward a future of continued excellence.

The role: Continuous Improvement Lead

Reporting to the Process Excellence Delivery Manager, this role is responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives and enhancing operational performance and efficiency by implementing Lean methodologies and data‑driven approaches. The role will be pivotal in leading and executing delivery within individual business areas aligned to a central, structured approach to CI & Lean deployment. The role holder will focus on achieving both operational and process excellence within BA’S E&M functions focused on MRO process optimisation including; optimising hangar and shop floor workflows, standardising workshops and supply chain by eliminating waste, improving part availability, reducing turnaround times (TATs) and ensuring strict adherence to regulatory standards. Direct reports c.2.

What You’ll Do

The role holder will be expected to:

• End-to-end people management, including the application of formal policies covering probation, absence, attendance, conduct, performance and wellbeing.
• Work closely with Operational Excellence Lead/CI specialists to identify areas for improvement through data analysis, process mapping, and collaborator engagement.
• Develop and implement process improvements using Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
• Facilitate rapid improvement activities, leading Root Cause Analysis, Kaizen events and opportunities to standardise approaches.
• Train and coach others in Lean thinking to create a mindset and culture of proactive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with teams across the organisation to drive cultural change and adoption of continuous improvement practices.
• Measure and report on the results of improvement initiatives to senior leadership through data analysis and relevant governance.
• Demonstrate performance and process excellence behaviours within the business and champion operational excellence across all facilities.
• End-to-end workshop management, from scoping through to documented implementation and benefit tracking.
• Assess CI maturity and identify interventions required to embed sustainable Lean ways of working.
• Form part of a community of CI and lean practitioners across E&M.

Skills / Capabilities

• Openness to new ideas and approaches, with the ability to drive innovation within the organisation.
• Analytical: Proficiency in data analysis and statistics to measure performance and identify gaps (Essential).
• Problem‑solving: Ability to analyse current processes (e.g. DMAIC, Value Stream mapping, 5 Whys, Fishbone) and design solutions to improve them (Essential).
• Understanding of various improvement methodologies and tools (Essential).
• Strong communication skills to bridge shopfloor mechanics with senior leadership, combined with robust data handling skills and collaboration abilities to engage stakeholders and employees.
• Strong leadership capability to influence and motivate teams towards continuous improvement practices. Ability to lead teams and drive change, often in the face of resistance (Essential).
• Experience in planning, scheduling, and executing improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Commitment to personal and team development through continuous learning and improvement.

Qualifications / Experience

• Proven track record in leading and delivering transformational change and leading/developing CI teams. (Essential)
• Significant experience in continuous improvement, lean manufacturing or process optimisation within an aviation MRO environment or other relevant industry (production, manufacturing or operational) (Desirable).
• Strong understanding of lean methodologies and other CI tools with relevant certifications e.g. Lean practitioner certification/ Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt (Essential).
• Proficiency in Value Stream mapping, 5S and DMAIC problem solving (Essential).
• An appreciation of aviation regulatory frameworks (Desirable).

What We Offer

We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It’s one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary. From the day you join us, you’ll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. You’ll also receive up to 30 discounted ‘Hotline’ airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family. At British airways you’ll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you. We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress. We never stand still, and we don’t expect our people to either!

Inclusion & Diversity

We recognize that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity, and identity to work. We encourage people from all backgrounds to be part of our journey to become a Better BA.

At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work.

Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.