Manufacturing Team Leader

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities. GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we're inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We're proud to play a part in protecting the world's democracies. And we're committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet.

With over 16,000 employees across 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world's aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary At our GKN Filton site, we specialise in the design and manufacture of large complex structural wing assemblies, detailed metallic components and wing systems for a combination of both civil and military aircraft. We are seeking a dynamic and motivated Team Leader to foster a culture that aligns with GKN Aerospace's "Great Place to Work" values. In this role, you will lead, inspire, and develop your team, ensuring a culture of openness, continuous learning, and operational excellence.

The Team Leader will be accountable for achieving PSQDCC (People, Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cash, and Cost) targets by deploying Lean principles across designated zones, while actively participating in problem-solving and continuous improvement efforts. The successful applicant will join our Wing Assembly business on a full-time, permanent basis and lead a team of between 10-15 operators, working a 37 hour, 4 day week (Core Day shift, Monday-Thursday or Tuesday - Friday) How You'll Contribute Culture and Leadership:
Role model GKN Aerospace's culture principles, motivating and recognizing contributions of individuals and teams to establish an inclusive, collaborative environment Performance Management:
Conduct open, honest performance evaluations, provide coaching, and support team members in bridging performance gaps while developing their strengths Safety and Compliance:
Maintain a "safety first" mindset, ensuring adherence to GKN Aerospace's Health, Safety, and Environmental policies, and fostering a healthy and safe workspace Operational Excellence:
Actively lead the deployment of the Lean Operating Model (LOM) to meet PSQDCC targets and customer commitments, engaging in hands-on management and coaching Team Development :
Build a pipeline of first-class Team Members with the potential to advance into leadership or other critical roles within the organization Problem-Solving and Accountability:
Promote a "go to Gemba" approach, aiming to resolve 95% of issues at the source and cooperating with other Team Leaders to achieve optimal area performance Communication and Engagement:
Facilitate effective communication across zones, fostering material flow and accountability among functional support staff, while driving team engagement and following up on engagement actions Budget and Resource Management :
Manage the zone's budget in collaboration with the Group Leader, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to meet performance goals Compliance:
Uphold all legal and regulatory standards, including Equal Employment Opportunity, Diversity & Inclusion policies, Compliance and Ethics Policy, and Export Control Regulations What You'll Bring To help us make a difference, you'll bring your passion and expertise/ talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:
Essential:
Previous experience in a similar role or demonstrated competence in key tasks within the designated work zone Proven track record of Kaizen implementation and adherence to standardized work…