Spirit Defense – Mid-Level Continuous Improvement Specialist

Spirit Defense, A Boeing Company; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 64,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. is seeking a Lean / Process Improvement professional within its Spirit Defense unit. The role focuses on applying Lean principles, coaching cross-functional teams, and driving Kaizen events to improve shop performance and cost savings.

The candidate will gather requirements, analyze current processes, and develop strategic Lean plans with measurable outcomes. You will work with internal customers to establish scope, collect metrics, and mentor teams in tools such as VSM,

Qualifications

• 5 years of related work experience.
• Strong computer skills with Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• Lean Manufacturing experience.
• 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.
• Cross-functional coordination and leadership to achieve project goals.
• SAP, ERP,MRP, and EXRP experience.
• Risk assessment and mitigation experience.
• Demonstrated ability to foster business partnerships with internal customers.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide awareness, knowledge, guidance, and the application of Lean principles to support Lean culture.
• Gather customer requirements.
• Evaluate 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 Lean Tools and/or Lean Training to support the plan.
• Coach, train and mentor cross-functional teams in proper Lean tool usage.
• Engage workforce to implement Kaizen events.
• Implement the Lean Strategy/Plan to meet customer expectations.
• Document accomplishments.
• Facilitate Continuous Improvement for cost savings.
• Perform trend analysis of shop performance metrics to identify opportunities.

Skills

5+ years experience

Lean Manufacturing

Communication

Influence & Leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Risk assessment

Business partnerships

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent

Six Sigma certification

PMP certification

Tools

Microsoft Project

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

SAP

ERP

MRP

EXRP

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, at Spirit’s Defense Business Unit ("Spirit Defense"). Spirit Defense is an independent supplier to the defense and space marketplace. Through innovative engineering and rapid prototyping excellence, Spirit Defense provides the capabilities, technologies and support customers need to succeed in their missions.

Position Responsibilities

• Provide awareness, knowledge, guidance, and the application of Lean principles, methodologies, and tools to support achievement of 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 of related work experience
• Strong computer skills with Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint and Word
• Lean Manufacturing experience
• 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 experience
• Demonstrated ability to foster business partnerships with internal customers
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secruity Clearance

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience)

• Bachelor’s Degree OR equivalent experience
• Knowledge of manufacturing environment, manufacturing lean processing, and industrial engineering concepts
• Six Sigma certification
• 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: $64,350 – $98,650

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.

Security Clearance: This position requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship. A final U.S. Secret Clearance Post-Start is required.

Visa Sponsorship: Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.

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.