Lean Improvement Expert

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Job Description:

Position Summary: The Lean Improver Expert contributes directly to the Airbus Industrial strategy by defining and deploying ways of working within operational teams with direct contact with key stakeholders. With a deep knowledge of lean principles and a proven shop-floor experience in Manufacturing, you will address systemic operational performance issues with piloted, standardized & sustainable solutions through the Airbus Operating System.

Primary Responsibilities:
 

Deployment:   50%

• Contribute directly to the Airbus industrial strategy by defining and deploying ways of working  within operational teams and influencing plant management teams (CDT, plant managers,  HO functions) 

•  Improve business efficiency and results achievement by advising plant stakeholders at manager and senior manager level on business priorities and how to make the most of the standards, methods and associated behaviors.

• Deployment of business improvement / transformation road maps, the jobholder will identify which Lean/AOS standards best match the manufacturing areas needs OR trigger new Lean/AOS standards definition.

• Pilot the lean/AOS standards first implementations in the plant/FAL following the AOS deployment strategy with a "we do, you do" logic.

• Set up and support  governance and steering at all levels (with Senior Leadership Teams), securing a deployment roadmap (architecture, ensure roadmap content) and a consolidated AOS architecture strategy

• Contribute to key projects with Lean/AOS skills & competencies in the frame on adhoc Top Management Requests (Head of Function, COO, CEO) to ensure project outcomes are delivering tangible benefits for the company and enabling sustainable and long term performance.

• Facilitate workshops on dedicated topics in complex situations or for training purposes (vision, Hoshin Kanri, macro VSM, business VSM, kaizen, etc.)

• Run and facilitate specific Gembas and shop floor exercises coaching senior management.

Development, Industrial Assessment and Diagnosis:  20%

• Support development of Lean/AOS standards to answer the business issues & priorities. As per AOS/Lean brick 6 phase methodology: Stake, Standard way of working, Pilot, Learning solution, Deployment plan and Assessment 

• Assess standard implementation is at the right level through the implementation checklist

• Lead assessments of industrial maturity integrating operations performance & AOS standard adherence

• Lead industrial task forces: diagnosis, solution definition and implementation, results achievement

• Advise managers on how to improve performance by running specific AOS diagnosis (Macro-VSM, shop-floor observations, etc.)

Coaching, Influencing and Training:   30%

• Design and provide on-the-job coaching of the AOS deployment architecture strategy with  operational and local teams 

• Design strategies for coaching, mentoring & training in regards to change management, Lean and AOS standards/tools

• Provide knowledge transfer in dedicated manufacturing areas/populations to local plant/FAL teams (from business managers to change agents)

• Growing the knowledge and autonomy of business managers and change agents by supporting the implementation of AOS/Lean standards & continuous improvement solutions in manufacturing areas.

• Facilitate / co-lead / support training development and deployment 

• Identify and escalate competence gaps to top management  

• Promoting the use of internal good practices and external benchmarking by acting transversally with the extended manufacturing communities

Qualified Experience / Skills / Training: 
 

Education:

•  Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering

Experience:

• 8-10+ years in lean/continuous improvement projects demonstrating tangible & sustainable results

• Solid knowledge and understanding of manufacturing processes, production management and industrialization principles.

• Experienced in project management, including multi-functional teams and financial aspects

• Able to demonstrate operational experience in the implementation and optimization of industrial systems (conception phase, implementation, management of production processes)

• Good communication skills, active listening and a proactive approach to problem solving & decision making

• Proven coaching / training competencies, Leadership, Assertiveness to influence and challenge the status quo
   

Licensure/Certifications:

• APICS basic level, Six Sigma/Lean Black Belt,  Kepner Tregoe or equivalent preferred

Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities:

• Ability and experience to train managers, technicians and operators 

• Deep knowledge and experience of AOS / lean manufacturing and lean management / problem solving 

• Good knowledge and experience in industrial engineering, quality tools, problem solving,  logistics engineering and process optimization (APICS basic level, lean/Six Sigma Black Belt,  Kepner Tregoe or equivalent) 

• Experience in leading lean manufacturing workshops such as kaizen, VSM, SMED, 5S, etc. - 

• Experience in operations management within a best-in-class lean environment 

• Coaching skills and experience with communication competences 

• Ability to inspire and give meaning 

• Aeronautical manufacturing basics 

• Capability to design strategies for change management, coaching, mentoring and training  

Communication Skills (Spoken, Written, Influencing, Proficiency in Other Languages):

• Fluency in local language mandatory / English negotiation level

Travel Required: 

• 10% Domestic and International

Physical Requirements:

• Vision: adequate to enter and read material on computer screens.  Able to identify individuals to initiate greetings, the giving of directions and other business interactions

• Hearing: able to hear sufficiently to engage in conversation in office settings Able to hear safety alerts and warning signals.

• Speaking: able to engage in conversations in person and via electronic means and deliver information to groups of varying size with or without amplification.

• Equipment Operation Able to operate a wide range of personal and office electronic equipment.

• Carrying: able to occasionally carry up to 30lbs/14kg while engaging in training, addressing production issues or as part of continuous improvement projects.

• Lifting: able to occasionally lift up to 30lbs/14kg.

• Pushing/Pulling: able to push/pull items in office areas.

• Sitting: able to sit for extended periods of time at the computer and in meetings.

• Squatting/Kneeling: able to occasionally squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items shelved on bottom shelves.

• Standing: able to stand for extended periods of time.

• Travel: able to travel overseas and domestically sometimes for extended periods of time. Working outside hangers in changing locations.

• Walking: able to walk through office and production areas, around flightline and airstrips and sometimes on uneven indoor and/or outdoor surfaces.  
   

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Airbus Americas, Inc.

Employment Type:

US - Direct Hire

Experience Level:

Professional

Remote Type:

On-site

Job Family:

Improvement & Performance Management <JF-BI-IP>

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Job Posting End Date: 08.11.2025Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

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