Continuous Improvement Sr. Manager

Role Summary

The Sr. Manager, Continuous Improvement is a key strategic leader—not an individual contributor role. This position will:

• Partner with senior facility leaders, directors, and functional heads to shape the long‑term continuous improvement vision, requiring 75% travel across our various sites.
• Lead the creation and governance of a multi‑year Continuous Improvement Roadmap outlining priorities, sequencing, resource allocation, and targeted operational areas.
• Drive both the strategic planning and tactical execution of Lean, Six Sigma, and operational excellence initiatives across multiple manufacturing departments.
• Influence, coach, and align cross‑functional teams at all levels to accelerate performance improvement and operational discipline.

• Strategic Leadership & Roadmap Ownership
  • Develop, maintain, and communicate a comprehensive multi‑year CI Roadmap, including types of CI events (Kaizen, 5S, VSM, SMED, etc.), prioritization, sequencing, expected impact, targeted departments, functional areas, and KPIs.
  • Facilitate annual CI planning cycles with senior leadership to ensure alignment to business goals, growth plans, and customer commitments.
  • Identify high‑value opportunities through data‑driven analysis and present recommendations to executive leadership.
• Operational Excellence Execution
  • Lead the design and implementation of a scalable, structured Continuous Improvement Program tailored to Cherry Aerospace’s high‑volume aerospace fastener production processes.
  • Conduct time studies, bottleneck analysis, and process mapping to identify inefficiencies, and drive implementation of standardized work, line balancing, waste elimination initiatives, cycle‑time reduction strategies.
  • Lead structured root‑cause investigations using 5 Whys, Fishbone, DMAIC, and other methodologies to address recurring quality and operational challenges.
  • Implement in‑process inspection systems, operator training programs, and mistake‑proofing measures to reduce scrap and improve first‑pass yield.
• Lean & SMED Deployment
  • Utilize SMED principles to reduce tooling and machine changeover times; redesign tooling layouts, material flow, and quick‑change fixtures to improve uptime.
  • Drive improvements in throughput, equipment utilization, lead time, and labor productivity.
• Cross‑Functional Leadership & Coaching
  • Facilitate Kaizen events, problem‑solving workshops, and cross‑functional CI activities.
  • Provide ongoing coaching to supervisors, engineers, operators, and managers to build Lean capability and a culture of continuous learning.
  • Act as an internal consultant to guide major transformation efforts and ensure sustainment of improvements.
• Tracking & Reporting
  • Establish performance dashboards and regularly report CI progress, savings, and KPI impacts to senior leadership.
  • Ensure all initiatives deliver measurable and sustainable results aligned with the Continuous Improvement Roadmap.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 7–10+ years of experience in operations, manufacturing, or continuous improvement roles, with increasing leadership responsibility.
• Lean Six Sigma certification required (Black Belt strongly preferred).
• Proven success designing and leading enterprise‑level CI programs or multi‑site improvement initiatives.
• Strong capability in Lean tools, Six Sigma methodology, process optimization, and structured problem‑solving.
• Exceptional leadership, facilitation, project management, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive change across all levels of the organization, including senior executives.

• Experience in aerospace, precision machining, high‑volume fasteners, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading major transformation initiatives (Lean conversions, turnaround work, greenfield startup support, or similar).
• Expertise in change management, organizational alignment, and leadership coaching.

For informational purposes only the range of pay for this role is $130,000 to $160,000 USD. This role is eligible to participate in the Company’s Quarterly Cash Bonus Plan. Employees receive 120 hours paid time off and 10 paid holidays annually. Employees and their families are eligible to participate in the company’s medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance programs. Employees are eligible to enroll in the company’s 401(k) plan.