Continuous Improvement Program Manager

Cessna Aircraft Company; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Job summary

Textron Aviation seeks a Continuous Improvement Program Manager to lead CI programs across functions, sites, and programs. You will develop training, coach leaders, and embed CI into daily operations to drive measurable performance gains and long-term excellence.

Requires a Bachelor’s in Engineering and at least 2 years in manufacturing/engineering, with strong analytical and stakeholder-management skills. Travel and cross-functional collaboration are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field with 2+ years in manufacturing or engineering.
• Proven ability to lead significant improvement projects and programs.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; capable of using AI-enabled tools for data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead deployment and sustainment of CI practices across teams and sites.
• Develop standardized CI systems, tools, and methodologies for consistent use.
• Develop, schedule, and deliver CI and Lean Manufacturing training.
• Lead CI communications to reinforce expectations and share learnings.
• Develop and lead CI strategies and projects embedding CI principles into daily ops.
• Collaborate cross-functionally and tailor briefings to stakeholders at all levels.
• Ensure standard work, visual management, and disciplined process execution.
• Coach CI leaders using Lean methods and problem-solving approaches.
• Sustain improvements through documentation and accountability.
• Track, analyze, and report CI activities and outcomes for leadership.

Skills

Continuous improvement

Problem solving

Stakeholder engagement

Curriculum development

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical or Industrial preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Description - Continuous Improvement Program Manager (343519)

Job Number

343519

Textron Aviation has been inspiring the journey of flight for nine decades through the iconic and beloved Cessna and Beechcraft brands. We are passionate advocates of aviation, empowering people with the freedom of flight. As you join our legacy as a global leader in private aviation, you’ll have opportunities to try new fields, expand your skills and knowledge, stretch your abilities, and build your career. We provide a competitive and extensive total rewards package that includes pay and innovative benefits to support you and your family members - now and in the future, beginning day one. Your success is our success.

Job Summary

Leads continuous improvement programs by establishing and maintaining standardized systems, methods, and practices that enable consistent deployment of continuous improvement across functions, sites, and programs. Develops and delivers internal continuous improvement training, coaching, and learning pathways to build capability within the Continuous Improvement (CI) team and across organizational silos, reinforcing expected behaviors and ways of working. Drives and sustains organizational change by embedding continuous improvement principles into daily operations, decision-making, and problem-solving, while identifying, developing, and implementing new continuous improvement opportunities to achieve measurable performance improvement, accountability, and long-term operational excellence.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the deployment and sustainment of continuous improvement practices that drive organizational change and align with business goals and operational priorities.
• Develop and maintain standardized continuous improvement systems, tools, and methodologies to enable consistent application across teams, programs, and sites.
• Develop, schedule, and deliver Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing training to build capability within the CI team and across functional organizations.
• Lead continuous improvement communications to reinforce expectations, promote engagement, and share improvement successes and learning across the organization.
• Develop and lead continuous improvement strategies, projects, and programs that embed continuous improvement principles into daily operations.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional environment while delivering clear, tailored briefings to stakeholders at all levels of the organization as required.
• Enable consistent use of standard work, visual management, and disciplined process execution to support reliable and sustainable improvements.
• Provide day-to-day guidance and coaching to continuous improvement leaders using structured Lean Manufacturing methods and problem-solving approaches.
• Ensure sustainment of completed improvements through effective documentation, ownership alignment, and reinforcement of accountability.
• Track, analyze, and report continuous improvement activities, adoption measures, and results to support leadership awareness and informed decision-making.

Education / Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical or Industrial preferred), Sciences, Technology, or closely related field.

Minimum 2 years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, or other relative field is required.

Qualifications

• Independently identifies and leads significant impact projects and programs. Identifies areas of need, recommendations, and guides company process improvement strategies.
• Highly motivated to create positive organizational impact, with the ability to effectively balance and execute multiple priorities concurrently.
• Demonstrates strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities, leveraging both critical and creative thinking to drive effective solutions.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence without authority, secure buy-in at all organizational levels, and effectively engage both technical and business-focused stakeholders.
• Ability to translate complex concepts into well-organized, concise, and effective curriculum and learning solutions.
• Ability to facilitate and coordinate projects end-to-end, including planning, scope definition, stakeholder alignment, and ongoing execution, while effectively tailoring communication and engagement strategies to the appropriate audiences.
• Demonstrates ability to collaborate across the organization with a global mindset to understand challenges and drive solutions across locations, functions, and all levels.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook), with the ability to leverage AI-enabled tools to enhance data analysis, communication, and productivity.

Preferred Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrate leverage of continuous improvement tools, including structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Lean methodology certificates and/or training.
• Sufficient relevant experience to understand organizational and business processes
• Previous experience in reading and interpreting blueprints, work instructions and technical specifications (Quality and/or Engineering).

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Join Textron Aviation’s Kansas team and you may be eligible for a $5,000 state of Kansas Aviation tax credit for up to five years. Visit https://www.aircapitaloftheworld.com/taxcredits for more information on the tax credit.

EEO Statement

Textron is committed to providing Equal Opportunity in Employment, to all applicants and employees regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, military status, veteran status, disability, sex (including pregnancy and sexual orientation), genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.