Sr. Manager, Continuous Improvement

Howmet Aerospace; Brea (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k matching

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Howmet Aerospace in Brea, CA is seeking a Sr. Manager, Continuous Improvement to lead a small team of CI engineers. You will drive lean manufacturing, safety, quality, delivery, and cost across all lines, applying HBS methods to improve throughput and productivity.

You will mentor leaders, set goals, and deliver cross-functional workshops, Kaizen events, and dashboards for SQDC metrics. This role demands 7+ years in high-volume settings with strong leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or industrial engineering.
• 7+ years in high-volume manufacturing with leadership experience.
• Experience in fastening, aerospace, or precision manufacturing preferred.
• U.S. work authorization; visa sponsorship not available.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise and mentor a cross-functional improvement team.
• Set quarterly goals, conduct performance reviews, and develop career paths.
• Foster a high-performance culture of accountability and ownership.
• Own Kaizen, Value-Stream Mapping, 5S, Standard Work, and SMED across lines.
• Lead projects targeting 10-15% waste reduction per year.
• Champion digital tools for real-time KPI tracking.
• Translate plant objectives into measurable improvement roadmaps.
• Align initiatives with safety, quality, and cost targets.
• Provide quarterly status reports to senior leadership.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance.
• Facilitate cross-functional improvement workshops and Kaizen events.
• Act as liaison for external Lean consultants and auditors.
• Design and maintain dashboards for SQDC metrics.
• Own root-cause process and ensure corrective actions close on time.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Leadership

Team management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or industrial engineering

Tools

Minitab

LeanKit

Job description

• Locations 630 E Lambert Rd., Brea, CA, 92821, US (On-site)


• Job Schedule Full time


• Export-Controlled Data This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant's ability to lawfully obtain access to such items

Responsibilities

Join our Howmet Fastening Team!Howmet Aerospace has an exciting opportunity for a Sr. Manager, Continuous Improvement in our Brea, CA location.

This role will directly manage a team of 2-3 Continuous Improvement Engineers and will be accountable for driving lean-manufacturing excellence, safety, quality, delivery, and cost across all production lines.

You will lead continuous improvement efforts and guide a team in applying Howmet Business System (HBS) methods to improve throughput, productivity, cost efficiency, and delivery performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Directly supervise and mentor a cross-functional improvement team.


• Set quarterly goals, conduct performance reviews, and develop career paths.


• Foster a high-performance culture of accountability and ownership

Lean Manufacturing Execution:

• Own the implementation of Kaizen, Value-Stream Mapping, 5S, Standard Work, and SMED across all lines.


• Lead continuous improvement projects that target 10-15 % waste reduction per year.


• Champion the use of digital tools (e.g., Minitab, LeanKit) for real-time KPI tracking.

Strategic Planning:

• Translate plant and corporate objectives into measurable improvement roadmaps.


• Align improvement initiatives with safety, quality, and cost targets.


• Provide quarterly status reports to senior leadership.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance to identify bottlenecks.


• Facilitate cross-functional improvement workshops and Kaizen events.


• Act as the primary liaison for external Lean consultants and auditors

Performance Measurement:

• Design, maintain, and refine dashboards for SQDC metrics.


• Own the root-cause process (A3, 8D, 5-Whys) and ensure corrective actions are closed on time.


• Conduct variance programs for Lean tools and Six-Sigma methodologies.
  Mentor leaders and frontline teams to embed a culture of continuous improvement.


• Conduct \"train-the-trainer\" sessions to scale knowledge.

Safety & Compliance:

• Integrate safety metrics into all improvement projects.


• Ensure all Lean initiatives comply with OSHA, EPA, and company safety standards.


• Promote a proactive safety culture through regular audits and feedback loops.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or a related discipline.


• 7+ years of experience working in an aerospace, automotive, medical or related high-volume manufacturing environment with a least 5 years in a managerial role

Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in fastening, aerospace, or precision manufacturing.

The position includes competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package available day one of hire, including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), excellent 401k matching program, paid holidays and vacation. Howmet Aerospace curates a strong working environment through opportunities for career progression, community engagement activities, and flexible schedules contingent upon role and location. The salary range for this position is $170k-$210k.

About Us

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2025 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report . Follow: LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube .

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Howmet is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) is a business unit of Howmet Aerospace, headquartered in Torrance, California. We hold the number one global position in aerospace fastening systems, and we’re the North American leader in commercial transportation fasteners. Our high-tech, multi-material fastening systems are found nose to tail on aircraft and aerospace engines. Our products are also critical components of industrial gas turbines, automobiles, commercial transportation vehicles, and construction and industrial equipment.