Mid-Level Continuous Improvement Specialist

Boeing; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 72,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Spirit AeroSystems, a Boeing subsidiary in Kansas, seeks a Lean/Continuous Improvement Lead to drive Lean culture across multiple teams. You will apply Lean tools, gather customer requirements, analyze processes, and develop a strategy to improve performance and cost savings.

The role requires 5+ years of experience, strong communication with executives, and ability to lead cross-functional projects, including Kaizen events, VSM, 6S, Kanban, and ERP systems.

Qualifications

• 5+ years related work experience.
• Strong computer skills with MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• Lean Manufacturing experience.
• Excellent communication with executive leaders.
• Ability to lead multiple teams and projects.
• Cross-functional coordination and leadership.
• SAP/ERP/MRP experience.
• Risk assessment and mitigation.
• Preferred knowledge of manufacturing environment and lean concepts.

Responsibilities

• Provide Lean guidance to support Spirit Lean culture.
• Gather Customer requirements.
• Evaluates the current situation and determines boundaries.
• Analyze existing processes and collect performance metrics.
• Document the process and develop a Lean Strategy/Plan.
• Select Lean Tools and training to support the plan.
• Coach cross-functional teams in Lean tools (VSM, 6S, Kanban, GEMBA, etc.).
• Engage the workforce to implement Kaizen events and meet customer expectations.
• Document accomplishments and drive cost-saving improvements.
• Perform trend analysis of shop performance for opportunities.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Communication

Cross-functional Leadership

Influencing

Project Coordination

SAP

ERP

MRP

Risk Assessment

Manufacturing Knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree OR equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Project

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We’re committed to fostering an environment for every teammate that’s welcoming, respectful and inclusive, with great opportunity for professional growth. Find your future with us.

This role is at Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, supporting Spirit’s Commercial Business Units ("Spirit Commercial"). Spirit Commercial designs and builds commercial aerostructures, including for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, one of Boeing’s three business units and the premier manufacturer of commercial jetliners for decades. Spirit Commercial’s core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components, with a focus on innovative composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions.

Position Responsibilities

• Provide awareness, knowledge, guidance, and the application of Lean principles, methodologies, and tools to support achievement of Spirit Lean culture.
• Gather Customer requirements.
• Evaluates the current situation.
• Determine boundaries or scope of the project.
• Perform analysis of existing processes.
• Collect supporting performance metrics.
• Document the process.
• Develop a Lean Strategy/Plan for improvement.
• Select the proper Lean Tool(s) and/or Lean Training that supports the Strategy/Plan.
• Coach, train and mentor cross-functional teams in proper use and application of Lean tools including but not limited to: Value Stream Mapping (VSM), 6S, Kanban, GEMBA meetings, 7 Elements of Surgery, Kitting and Outfitting, 3P, AIW, RCCA.
• Engage the workforce to achieve successful implementation of Kaizen events.
• Implement the Lean Strategy/Plan meeting Customer Expectations.
• Document accomplishments.
• Facilitation of Continuous Improvement for cost savings.
• Performs trend analysis of shop performance measures to identify opportunities for improvements.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience)

• 5+ years related work experience
• Strong computer skills with Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint and Word
• Lean Manufacturing
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written with executive leaders
• Ability to manage with influence and provide leadership throughout multiple teams simultaneously
• Proven ability to balance multiple projects simultaneously (coordination, status and performance to plan)
• Cross-functional coordination and leadership to achieve project goals
• SAP, ERP,MRP, and EXRP experience
• Risk assessment and mitigation. Demonstrated ability to foster business partnerships with internal customers
• Preferred knowledge of manufacturing environment, lean processing, and industrial engineering concepts

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience)

• Bachelor’s Degree OR equivalent experience
• Six Sigma
• PMP or other PMI Certification
• Individual project management and tracking as part of a larger portfolio
• Ability to create and present in depth presentations to executive level management
• Schedule development by project appropriate to project scope
• Technical background to be able to work with cross functional teams
• Ability to integrate large multi-year projects and small near-term projects
• Business acumen to quantify implications of projects and the ability to coordinate with Finance on tracking to plan

Union

This is a union-represented position.

Drug Free Workplace

We are a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Pay & Benefits

We strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.

We also provide eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

Summary Pay Range - Mid-Level (Level 3): $71,700 - $109,950

Kansas Tax Credit

Join Spirit AeroSystems’ Kansas team and you may be eligible for a $5,000 state of Kansas Aviation tax credit for up to five years. Click here for more information on the tax credit.

Export Control Requirements

Export Control Requirements: This position must meet export control compliance requirements. To meet export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R.

• 120.15 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.