At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Lean initiatives to enhance manufacturing performance and drive transformational change.
- Company: Beagle Aircraft, a leading aerospace manufacturer with a focus on operational excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days leave, private healthcare, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence business-wide improvements and work with senior leaders.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing company and shape the future of operational excellence.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in Lean management, strong knowledge of Lean principles, and excellent leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Join Our Leadership Team
At Beagle Aircraft, we're a leading aerospace manufacturer, producing precision-engineered components for some of the world's leading aerospace programmes.
As we continue to grow, we're looking for an experienced Lean & Continuous Improvement Manager to lead our operational excellence strategy and drive transformational change across the business.
This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate Lean professional to make a real impact by improving manufacturing performance, developing our people and embedding a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organisation.
The Role
Reporting into the Managing Director, you'll lead strategic Lean and Continuous Improvement initiatives across our manufacturing operation, delivering measurable improvements in quality, cost, delivery, safety and productivity.
Working closely with Production, Engineering, Quality and Operations, you'll identify opportunities to eliminate waste, improve efficiency and optimise manufacturing processes while ensuring compliance with aerospace quality standards.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary
- 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
- Company pension scheme
- Private Healthcare Benefits
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Holiday Purchase Scheme
- Birthday leave
- Long service awards
- Free onsite parking
- Career development opportunities
- Opportunity to influence business-wide operational excellence
Key Responsibilities
- Lead Lean and Continuous Improvement projects that deliver measurable business improvements.
- Drive Value Stream Mapping (VSM) activities to improve manufacturing flow and reduce waste.
- Facilitate Kaizen events and implement Lean tools including 5S, Kanban, SMED, TPM and Poka-Yoke.
- Develop and embed sustainable standard operating procedures, visual management systems and best practice.
- Coach and mentor managers, supervisors and shop floor teams to build a culture of continuous improvement.
- Analyse operational performance using KPIs and SQDC metrics to identify improvement opportunities.
- Lead structured root cause investigations using methodologies such as 8D, 5 Whys and Ishikawa.
- Partner with Production, Engineering and Quality teams to improve efficiency, quality, delivery and overall operational performance.
About You
We're looking for an experienced Lean professional who has successfully delivered operational improvements within a manufacturing environment and enjoys leading change through people.
You'll ideally have
- At least 5 years' experience leading Lean or Continuous Improvement initiatives within aerospace, defence or precision engineering manufacturing.
- A proven track record of delivering measurable improvements in productivity, quality, lead time, waste reduction and operational efficiency.
- Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles, Value Stream Mapping and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
- Experience leading Kaizen events and implementing Lean tools including 5S, SMED, TPM, Kanban and Poka-Yoke.
- Excellent knowledge of structured problem-solving techniques, including 8D, 5 Whys and Root Cause Analysis.
- A good understanding of AS9100 and regulated manufacturing environments.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt (preferred).
- Excellent leadership, coaching and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the business.
Why Join Beagle Aircraft?
This is an opportunity to shape the future of operational excellence within a growing aerospace manufacturer.
You'll play a key role in delivering strategic business improvements, developing our Lean culture and working alongside senior leaders to drive long-term manufacturing performance.
If you're passionate about continuous improvement and enjoy making a measurable impact, we'd love to hear from you
Lean & Continuous Improvement Manager in Christchurch employer: Beagle Aircraft
Beagle Aircraft is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Christchurch where innovation meets quality in aerospace manufacturing. With a strong commitment to employee development, we provide opportunities for growth and advancement, alongside a collaborative culture that values technical excellence and continuous improvement. Join us to be part of a team that not only prioritises quality but also fosters a supportive atmosphere for all employees.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lean & Continuous Improvement Manager in Christchurch
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Beagle Aircraft for a Lean & Continuous Improvement Manager. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Lean & Continuous Improvement Manager in Christchurch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Beagle Aircraft, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Beagle Aircraft, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Beagle Aircraft
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Beagle Aircraft.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Beagle Aircraft. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Beagle Aircraft love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
