Columbus Manufacturing Optimization Manager (Lean)

Anduril Industries; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 111,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a Manufacturing Optimization Manager to drive continuous improvement across U.S. manufacturing sites. You will establish scalable systems, coach leaders, and implement lean practices to boost safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.

The role involves leading cross-functional teams, standardizing processes, and deploying structured problem solving and kaizen to enhance throughput. Relocation to Columbus, OH may be available, travel up to 50% is required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing and production operations.
• 2+ years in a supervisor or production operations lead/manager role in a high-volume production environment.
• Understanding of the product life cycle (NPI to scaled production), LEAN manufacturing principles, and change management (ECOs).
• Ability to interpret technical documentation (mechanical drawings, work instructions, building plans, equipment specs, electrical schematics).
• Extremely reliable, organized and detail-oriented with excellent verbal & written communication skills.
• Passion for employee development and training of both new hires and veteran production staff.
• Proven skills in process and equipment troubleshooting across changing production environments.
• Experience supporting process development
• Knowledge of 5S, lean manufacturing or Six Sigma principles
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient with MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project)
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

Responsibilities

• Establish a scalable operating system (tiered accountability, daily management, KPI trees, visual management) aligned to safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Strengthen cross-functional execution by integrating Operations, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and Test into shared problem‑solving and prioritized action plans.
• Standardize processes and work content to reduce variation, improve first-pass yield, and enable predictable staffing models and flexible labor deployment.
• Drive continuous improvement using structured problem solving (A3/8D), waste elimination, and targeted kaizen to improve flow and performance.
• Lead rapid triage on critical constraints and escapes across all Anduril facilities—stabilize safety/quality events, throughput losses, and schedule risks using standard escalation and containment playbooks.
• Coach and develop Managers, Supervisors and Team Leaders through daily Gemba, leader standard work, and structured feedback.
• Capture and deploy best practices across lines/cells/sites via playbooks, standard work libraries, and replication mechanisms with clear ownership and audit cadence.
• Develop practical tools and structures (dashboards, hour‑by‑hour boards, problem queues, skills boards) that improve visibility, prioritization, and decision speed.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Leadership

Communication

MS Office

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical field

Associate degree

Tools

AS9100 knowledge

OSHA knowledge

Job description

Anduril Industries is seeking a Manufacturing Optimization Manager to drive continuous improvement across U.S. manufacturing sites. You will establish scalable systems, coach leaders, and implement lean practices to boost safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.

The role involves leading cross-functional teams, standardizing processes, and deploying structured problem solving and kaizen to enhance throughput. Relocation to Columbus, OH may be available, travel up to 50% is required.