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, and 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. 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
  • 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 US Dollar (USD). The role is salaried based on various factors. The role is eligible to participate…