Manager, Continuous Improvement

Who YOU are and what You can become:

Are you a results-driven leader passionate about operational excellence and continuous improvement? In this role, you’ll lead site-wide improvement initiatives, implement Lean and problem-solving strategies, and drive measurable results in safety, quality, productivity, cost, and delivery across our aerospace repair operations. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams, develop employee capabilities, and foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous growth. If you have strong leadership skills, experience with Lean methodologies, and a passion for turning challenges into sustainable solutions, we want to hear from you! With this opportunity, your career isn’t just taking flight—it’s reaching new heights in operational excellence!

Who WE are and where WE are going:

ST Engineering Aerospace is located in Pensacola, FL, at the Pensacola International Airport. We are a renowned provider of aircraft maintenance and modification (AMM) services for commercial airlines and air freight operators. We meet our customers' requirements by providing a full spectrum of high-quality, reliable, and timely AMM and engineering solutions. We have the know-how and experience to comprehensively manage complex projects, ensuring our customers' aircraft operate safely and efficiently. 

What YOU will do:  

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager leads site-wide continuous improvement initiatives for STE Pensacola Aerospace, Inc. (PNA) repair station operations. The position partners with Operations, Quality, Technical Training, Human Resources, Planning, Engineering, Safety, Supply Chain and other functional leaders to improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost and operational effectiveness. The CI Manager also supports targeted skills-development activities that strengthen employee proficiency and sustain process improvements.

In This Role YOU will: 

1.   Lead and manage the Continuous Improvement function and assigned CI personnel, including coaching, employee development, performance management, and participation in hiring and corrective action processes.

2.   Develop and execute site continuous improvement priorities aligned with operational requirements, customer commitments and business objectives.

3.   Manage, track and support implementation of the PNA Management Operating System and related performance-management practices.

4.   Lead Lean, Kaizen, process-mapping, structured problem-solving, root-cause analysis and other improvement activities throughout the repair station.

5.   Identify and implement opportunities to improve safety, quality, aircraft flow, schedule performance, productivity, cost, resource utilization and overall operational effectiveness.

6.   Facilitate cross-functional improvement teams involving Operations, Quality, Planning, Engineering, Supply Chain, Technical Training, Safety, Human Resources and other stakeholders.

7.   Coach leaders and employees in continuous improvement principles, problem solving, standard work, corrective action and sustainment of improvements.

8.   Develop and maintain appropriate metrics, dashboards and scorecards to measure project results, implementation effectiveness and sustained performance.

9.   Lead and facilitate CI workshops, improvement events, project teams and employee improvement activities.

10. Develop processes and practices that support Lean, Six Sigma, standardized work and other continuous improvement methodologies.

11. Support change management associated with new processes, technology, organizational changes and improvement initiatives.

12. Partner with Operations, Technical Training, Quality and Human Resources to identify critical skill gaps and support selected skills-based development activities, including structured on-the-job training, cross-training, mentoring and employee progression.

13. Support practical, hands-on skills-enhancement activities that improve employee proficiency, standardize work practices and reinforce continuous improvement.

14. Ensure CI activities are conducted in accordance with applicable FAA requirements, PNA procedures, customer requirements and established safety and quality standards.

15. Coordinate with Quality and Technical Training when improvement initiatives affect regulated maintenance processes, technical training, qualification, authorization or controlled procedures.

16. Promote employee participation in continuous improvement and foster an environment in which employees identify problems and recommend practical solutions.

17. Communicate CI project status, measurable outcomes, barriers, lessons learned and recommendations to site and senior leadership.

18. Support customer-driven and enterprise continuous improvement initiatives as required.

19. Continuously expand knowledge of Lean tools, operational excellence practices and relevant aviation industry practices.

20. Perform other duties and special assignments as required to support PNA operational objectives.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS: 

Good working knowledge of Lean and continuous improvement principles, structured problem solving, root-cause analysis, standard work, process mapping and change management. Ability to lead and develop staff; facilitate cross-functional teams; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; organize and prioritize multiple projects; analyze operational data; coach employees and leaders; and implement practical, cost-effective solutions in a regulated aircraft maintenance environment.

WORKING ENVIROMENT: 

Climate controlled environment as well as industrial non-climate-controlled environment. 

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS: 

A strong level of interpersonal skill is required to maintain effective relationships among employees, departments, management, customers and external partners and to influence results across functional boundaries.

PHYSICAL ENVRONMENT: 

Essential responsibilities are performed in office, hangar, shop and other repair station environments. The position may require walking through operational areas, observing work processes, facilitating events for extended periods and managing multiple priorities and deadlines. Required personal protective equipment must be used when entering designated operational areas.

  What YOU Need: 

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aviation Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Quality, Business or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training and relevant experience is required.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in continuous improvement, aviation maintenance, manufacturing, quality, operations or a related technical environment. Demonstrated experience leading operational improvement projects, facilitating cross-functional teams and coaching employees or leaders. Prior supervisory, management or significant project-leadership experience required.
• Lean Practitioner Skills- Experience applying Lean, Kaizen, value stream mapping, standard work, root-cause analysis and structured problem-solving tools.
• Facilitation and Leadership Skills- Experience leading improvement events, team deployment, change initiatives and management report-outs.
• Communication Skills- Ability to present recommendations, provide instruction and communicate results to employees, leaders and customers.
• Operations- Experience in management, planning, technical support, quality or continuous improvement within aviation, manufacturing, engineering or logistics operations.
• Preferred Qualifications- Commercial aviation maintenance or MRO experience and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, Lean Practitioner or comparable certification. Experience supporting structured OJT or technical skills development is preferred

YOU get more than Just compensation with US:  
As part of the ST Engineering family, you will be treated like family. We offer a great range of benefits that our employees value and help make ST Engineering the best place to learn and work. Our benefits reflect our commitment to attract, engage and retain the most talented people and offer a diverse selection of benefits to suit you and your family.

Some of the benefits we offer are listed below:

• Medical Benefits
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• 401k with Employer match
• PTO
• Company provided uniforms
• 6 Nationally recognized holidays
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Company sponsored events throughout the year

Background and Drug Screening Requirements-

As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and secure workplace, successful completion of a background check and drug screening is a mandatory condition for employment. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results from these screenings.

Equal Opportunity -

It takes diverse talent to solve real-world problems. ST Engineering is committed to building a workplace community where inclusion is valued, and everyone feels welcomed. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. So, bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background. It’s through our differences that innovative changes are made.

Reasonable Accommodations –

ST Engineering is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the employment application process. To request an accommodation, please contact our Talent Strategies team at 1-571-771-0101, or by email at stena.careers@stengg.us.