Continuous Improvement

AAA United States, Inc. has partnered with a company in Kinston, North Carolina that is one of the worlds largest manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defense platforms, and business/regional jets. With expertise in aluminum and advanced composite manufacturing solutions, the company’s core products include fuselages, integrated wings and wing components, pylons, and nacelles.

 The Continuous Improvement is responsible for identifying, implementing, and monitoring process improvements to enhance production efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure product quality. 

Essential Job Functions:

• Conduct detailed analysis of existing manufacturing processes, workflows, and systems to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement.
• Use data analysis and performance metrics to determine opportunities for process optimization.
• Develop and implement lean manufacturing strategies, such as 5S, Kaizen, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies, to streamline production and reduce waste.
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to address the root causes of problems and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Focus on cost-saving initiatives by reducing material waste, improving machine uptime, and optimizing labor efficiency.
• Implement strategies for reducing lead times, increasing throughput, and enhancing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Drive efforts to minimize scrap and rework costs while ensuring that quality standards are met.
• Work closely with engineering, production, quality control, and supply chain teams to implement process improvements that align with the overall manufacturing strategy.
• Serve as a liaison between management and employees to communicate the objectives and progress of continuous improvement projects.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure that improvements are integrated into the broader business processes and meet safety, regulatory, and compliance requirements.

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. A certification in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma (Green Belt/Black Belt), or Continuous Improvement is highly preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in continuous improvement or process optimization roles, ideally within the aerospace or manufacturing industries.
• Familiarity with aerospace manufacturing processes, including machining, assembly, and quality control, is important.
• Strong ability to analyze complex manufacturing issues and develop effective solutions.