Worker Type
Regular
Job Description
Summary
Provide leadership to integrate the SC Strategy with Continuous improvement through execution of best practices. Lead, drive and influence continuous improvement throughout the organization. Facilitate efforts for waste and constraint elimination. Provide leadership, coaching and counseling for competency and capability building. Establish detailed program plans including identification and coordination of all necessary resources.
Position Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Execution
Ensure understanding & alignment of best practices among businesses.
Champion the advancement of Best Practices across Enterprise.
Assure sustainability via execution of evergreen audit processes.
Provide Connection to all Continuous Improvement project Rituals.
Ritual 1: process to ensure identification of improvement projects to close gaps.
Ritual 2: ensures Cl resources sufficient in numbers and capability to lead improvement work
Ritual 3: facilitates managing processes to address performance gaps (ie. VPM).
Ritual 4: facilitates implementation of decision boards, ensure optimization and execution of the project portfolio
Performance Management
Ensure the Supply Chain attributes DPSQCM are cascaded from the SC Strategy and conveyed for understanding and execution.
Work with business operations leaders to deliver on PTOI Improvement commitments.
Consult, coach and facilitate appropriate use of standard metrics within standard performance management processes.
Culture Change and Leader Standard Work
Influence and advance the models for Leader Standard Work (LSW).
Support PLM's and overall site for rituals and Performance Management.
Drive behavioral transformation through Mindset & Behavior strategic commitment.
Continuous Improvement
Create and foster the continuous improvement culture throughout the organization.
Ensure processes exist and are functioning to fill and execute the improvement project portfolio plan pipeline for reduction of waste and constraints in Plan/Source/Make/Deliver/Return processes.
Break down barriers to drive continuous improvements.
Ensure an effective Decision Board process is in place which secures appropriate staffing, clarity on project goals, milestones, and deliverables.
Ensure the integration of cross-functional improvement teams efforts (across Plan, Source, Make, Deliver, and Return; inclusive of integrated Operations: Quality, Engineering).
Integrate work with corporate improvement initiatives.
Maximize leverage and integration across Supply Chain and Businesses.
Drive improvement through external and internal BIC {best in class) benchmarks.
Financial Impact of Operations
Drive and manage operations best practices to assure business productivity improvements are met. This includes championing the business productivity improvement tracking process, championing resourcing of key Cl projects aligned with supply chain and operations strategies / CSFs and business strategy / CSFs.
Individual & Organization Capability Development
Provide leadership, coaching and counseling for competency and capability building to enhance continuous improvement in the organization.
Responsible to foster Best Practice capabilities of the organization.
Encourage best practice sharing and foster creation and continuity of networks I peer learning opportunities.
Consult / support Operations Directors, Business Leaders, and Steering Committees.
Pursue personal journey to refine personal Mindsets & Behaviors capability (M&B).
Communication, Networks & Forums
Participate in Best Practice Networks and Roundtable events.
Communicate and market Best Practices.
Communicate continuous improvement approaches (technology, strategy, etc.)
Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)
7 years of direct experience, including 3 years management experience
Bachelors - directly related degree (Engineering Preferable)
Strong computer skills are a must, as is the ability to quickly pick up new programs and techniques as technology evolves
Strong analytical skills and the ability to evaluate and interpret trends and important information
Work with different departments and as part of a team, so excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required
Being able to identify issues or ways to improve systems that are already in place is a key job function, so this position requires critical thinkers who can successfully troubleshoot and solve problems
Experience with Foundational Best Practices (5S, Visual Performance Management, Focused Improvement, Teamwork)
Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances
Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees
Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness, and the creation of a shared vision
Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change
Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships
Assesses the degree of risk and opportunity in plans or actions and takes appropriate action to mitigate them or makes plans to build on the opportunity
Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies
Master's degree in a relevant field is a plus.
Certification in Lean Six Sigma (e.g., Green Belt, Black Belt) is highly desirable.
Program management experience preferred
Previous experience in the aerospace or defense industry is advantageous.
Demonstrated ability to lead change management initiatives and overcome resistance to change.
Proactive and self-motivated with a continuous improvement mindset.
Physical Demands
Ability to work in an office or warehouse environment (Constant)
Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)
Special Requirements
U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.
Clearance Level
No Clearance
The salary range for this role is:
$117,500 - $166,425
AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills.
ITAR Requirement:
This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment's determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment's business requirements. A "U.S. person" according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.
Benefits : AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits .
We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.
Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.
About AV:
AV isn't for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.
We don't just build defense technology-we redefine what's possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.
Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian-but we're not building history, we're building what's next.
If you're ready to build technology that matters-with speed, scale, and purpose-there's no better place to do it than AV.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.
ITAR
U.S. Citizenship required
About AV:
AV isn't for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.
We don't just build defense technology-we redefine what's possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.
Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian-but we're not building history, we're building what's next.
If you're ready to build technology that matters-with speed, scale, and purpose-there's no better place to do it than AV.
Careers at AeroVironment (https://www.avinc.com/careers/our-team)
