Continuous Improvement Manager

Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) is seeking a Continuous Improvement Manager in our City of Industry, California location. Born from many well-known and long-standing brands, Howmet Fastening Systems, headquartered in Torrance, California, is the premier designer and manufacturer of aerospace and industrial fasteners, latches, fluid fittings and installation tools. Our products are used nose to tail on commercial and military aircraft, as well as on jet engines, industrial gas turbines, automobiles, commercial transportation vehicles, wind turbines, solar power systems, and construction and industrial equipment.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Responsible for managing lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives at Howmet Fastening System’s (HFS). This role drives and leads a wide range of activities that are designed to improve operations efficiency, productivity, and on-time delivery while minimizing cost and waste.

• Define activities that require engineered solutions resulting in reduced waste, improved quality, improved throughput, increased machine/person ratio, improved safety, and improved business unit DVP%.
• Lead and collaborate with cross functional internal teams focused on shop floor factory improvements, which could include CAPEX.
• Standardize process and document for repeatability, train and certify operators.
• Understand and analyze Profit and Loss (P&L) statements to identify opportunities for cost reduction, revenue enhancement, and margin improvement.
• Analyze existing processes and identify areas for improvement through data-driven methods such as Lean Six Sigma principles, root cause analysis, and statistical tools.
• Act as internal consultant and catalyst to assist plant leadership, individuals, and teams in the application of continuous improvement principles and techniques to improve operations.
• Drive consistent, uniform approaches for visual controls and productivity measurements to be utilized throughout production teams and the factory.
• Facilitate successful Kaizen and rapid improvement process events with employees, customers and suppliers, with a major emphasis on locally focused improvement. Provide support for all follow-throughs required to sustain the improvements during the events.
• Instruct and train others in continuous process improvements, including the use of various problem solving and productivity techniques such as process mapping and cost time management.
• Provide formal training on lean manufacturing and continuous improvement concepts, principles, and practices. Utilize a learn-by-doing approach, supplementing classroom work with hands-on training
• Assist team leaders in team skill and knowledge development to support meeting management goals, project management, improvements, results measurements, problem solving and related team skills.