Team Leader

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

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 15% Bonus

Pension Scheme 1.5x

Life Assurance 8 x salary

Income protection

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Cycle To Work Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Virtual GP Clinic

Job summary

GKN Aerospace at Filton specializes in structural wing assemblies and metallic components for civil and military aircraft. We seek a dynamic Team Leader to drive Lean initiatives, develop a high-performing team, and deliver PSQDCC results in a 37-hour, 4-day week.

You will rotate patterns (Mon-Thu or Tue-Fri) and start Tue-Fri, leading 10–15 operators. The role emphasizes safety, engagement, and continuous improvement within a global aerospace context.

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role within a defined work zone.
• Kaizen implementation and adherence to standardized work.
• Background in a regulated industry.
• Proven leadership and team development.
• Strong communication with diverse stakeholders.
• Lean/Production Systems knowledge and certification.
• Experience with operational planning and scheduling.
• Passion for aerospace engineering.

Responsibilities

• Role model culture principles and lead a collaborative environment.
• Conduct performance evaluations and coaching.
• Maintain safety and environmental policy compliance.
• Lead deployment of Lean Operating Model to meet targets.
• Develop future leaders within the team.
• Promote problem-solving at the source (Gemba).
• Coordinate with other Team Leaders for area performance.
• Manage budget and allocate resources to meet goals.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations.

Skills

Kaizen

Team leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Regulated industry experience

Lean mindset

Cross-functional collaboration

Coaching and development

Education

Engineering/Science degree

Tools

Lean Six Sigma

Lean Operating Model

Production planning

Job description

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Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

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.

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 a combination of 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 (People, Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cash, and Cost) targets by deploying Lean principles across designated zones, while actively participating in problem-solving and continuous improvement efforts.

The successful applicant will join our Surface Treatments business on a full-time, permanent basis and lead a team of between 10-15 operators, working a 37 hour, 4 day week.

You may rotate between a Mon - Thur or Tue - Fri pattern. Expected to start on Tue - Fri.

What You'll Be Doing

• Culture and Leadership:Role model GKN Aerospace's culture principles, motivating and recognizing contributions of individuals and teams to establish an inclusive, collaborative environment
• Performance Management:Conduct open, honest performance evaluations, provide coaching, and support team members in bridging performance gaps while developing their strengths
• Safety and Compliance:Maintain a "safety first" mindset, ensuring adherence to GKN Aerospace's Health, Safety, and Environmental policies, and fostering a healthy and safe workspace
• Operational Excellence:Actively lead the deployment of the Lean Operating Model (LOM) to meet PSQDCC targets and customer commitments, engaging in hands‑on management and coaching
• Team Development: Build a pipeline of first‑class Team Members with the potential to advance into leadership or other critical roles within the organization
• Problem-Solving and Accountability: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
• Communication and Engagement:Facilitate effective communication across zones, fostering material flow and accountability among functional support staff, while driving team engagement and following up on engagement actions
• Budget and Resource Management: Manage the zone's budget in collaboration with the Group Leader, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to meet performance goals
• Compliance: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

To help us make a difference, you'll bring your passion and expertise/ talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:

• 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 standardized work processes.
• Background working in a regulated industry.
• 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
• Qualification in Engineering, Science, or a related field
• Knowledge of surface treatment
• Experience with Lean Operating Model/Production Systems and Lean or Six Sigma certification
• Background in operational planning and scheduling
• Passion for the aerospace industry

What We'll Offer

Once you're on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:

• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• Up to 15% Bonus
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = 1.5x employee contribution (max 12%)
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• Income protection
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment

As well as a competitive package we'll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! We'll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That's the beauty of being part of a global business, once you're on board you never know where your career journey may take you!

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