Manufacturing Team Leader

GKN Aerospace; West of England; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 15% annual bonus

Industry-leading pension scheme: up to

Life assurance 8x salary

Cycle-to-Work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Shopping discounts

Job summary

GKN Aerospace's Filton site is seeking a dynamic Team Leader to guide a 10–15 person Wing Assembly team on a 37-hour, four-day week. You will drive Lean across zones, coach operators, and ensure continuous improvement while meeting PSQDCC targets and upholding safety and quality standards.

You’ll model GKN values, conduct regular performance reviews, develop talent, manage budgets with the Group Leader, and promote open communication across zones to improve material flow and area performance.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a similar role within aerospace or high‑volume manufacturing.
• Proven track record of Kaizen implementation and adherence to standardised work processes.
• Self‑motivated with a strong drive to meet PSQDCC performance targets.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, capable of working with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficient in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire and develop a 10–15 operator team across zones.
• Conduct open, honest performance evaluations and coach team members.
• Maintain a safety‑first mindset and uphold EH&S policies.
• Deploy the Lean Operating Model to meet PSQDCC targets and customer commitments.
• Build a pipeline of first‑class team members for leadership or other roles.
• Promote go‑to‑Gemba to resolve issues at source and improve area performance.

Skills

Team leadership

Kaizen implementation

Lean production

Communication

English proficiency

Education

Engineering degree or related

Tools

Lean Production Systems

Job description

Job Summary

At our GKN Filton site, we specialise in the design and manufacture of large complex structural wing assemblies, detailed metallic components and wing systems for both civil and military aircraft. We are seeking a dynamic and motivated Team Leader to foster a culture that aligns with GKN Aerospace’s Great Place to Work values. In this role you will lead, inspire and develop your team, ensuring a culture of openness, continuous learning and operational excellence. The Team Leader will be accountable for achieving PSQDCC targets by deploying Lean principles across designated zones, while actively participating in problem‑solving and continuous improvement efforts.

Full‑time, permanent position at the Wing Assembly business. Lead a team of 10‑15 operators working a 37‑hour, 4‑day week (Core Day shift, Monday‑Thursday or Tuesday‑Friday).

How You’ll Contribute

• Role‑model GKN Aerospace’s culture principles, motivating and recognising contributions of individuals and teams to establish an inclusive, collaborative environment.
• Conduct open, honest performance evaluations, provide coaching and support team members in bridging performance gaps while developing their strengths.
• Maintain a safety‑first mindset, ensuring adherence to GKN Aerospace’s Health, Safety and Environmental policies and fostering a healthy and safe workspace.
• Actively lead the deployment of the Lean Operating Model to meet PSQDCC targets and customer commitments, engaging in hands‑on management and coaching.
• Build a pipeline of first‑class Team Members with the potential to advance into leadership or other critical roles within the organisation.
• Promote a go‑to‑Gemba approach, aiming to resolve 95% of issues at the source and cooperating with other Team Leaders to achieve optimal area performance.
• Facilitate effective communication across zones, fostering material flow and accountability among functional support staff, while driving team engagement and following up on engagement actions.
• Manage the zone’s budget in collaboration with the Group Leader, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to meet performance goals.
• Uphold all legal and regulatory standards, including Equal Employment Opportunity, Diversity & Inclusion policies, Compliance and Ethics Policy and Export Control Regulations.

What You’ll Bring

Essential

• Previous experience in a similar role or demonstrated competence in key tasks within the designated work zone.
• Proven track record of Kaizen implementation and adherence to standardised work processes.
• Self‑motivated, with a strong drive to meet and exceed PSQDCC performance targets.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, capable of working effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead, engage, train and develop team members.
• Proficient in English.

Desirable

• Degree or certification in Engineering, Science or a related field.
• Experience with Lean Operating Model/Production Systems and Lean or Six Sigma certification.
• Background in aerospace supply chain management.
• Strong passion for the aerospace industry.

What We’ll Offer

• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• Up to 15% annual bonus.
• Access to a salary‑sacrifice EV scheme giving tax and national insurance savings.
• Industry‑leading pension scheme: match contributions up to 8% on a 1:1.5 basis (GKN contribution up to 12%).
• Life assurance 8 × salary.
• 187.5 hours holiday plus bank holidays.
• Income protection.
• Shopping discounts.
• Cycle‑to‑Work scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment.

Equality and Diversity

We are an equal opportunity employer. All decisions are made on the basis of merit, without reference to gender, race, religion, nationality, age, disability, marital status or sexual orientation. We promote diversity, inclusion and belonging and encourage applicants to bring their full self to work.

Accessibility

If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process, please let us know.