AOS Improvement Leader – Lean Manufacturing

About the role

Airbus Aerosystems Kinston is seeking an AOS Improvement Leader to drive performance and continuous improvement across its manufacturing operations. The role will work closely with plant management and operational teams to implement Lean and Airbus Operating System standards.

Key responsibilities

• Define and deploy ways of working within operational teams, influencing plant management and senior leadership.
• Identify, prioritize and implement Lean/AOS standards to address systemic performance issues.
• Lead governance and steering processes, ensuring alignment with the AOS architecture and transformation road‑maps.
• Facilitate workshops, Gemba walks and Kaizen events, coaching senior managers on Lean tools such as Hoshin Kanri, VSM and Kaizen.
• Lead industrial task forces for diagnosis, solution definition, implementation and results tracking.
• Provide knowledge transfer, coaching and training to plant teams and senior leadership on Lean and AOS standards.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in operations, Lean/continuous improvement projects and shop‑floor implementation.
• Proven project‑management experience with multi‑functional teams and financial accountability.
• Strong communication, problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities.
• Eligibility to work in the United States.

Required skills

• Lean methodology and tools (VSM, Kaizen, Hoshin Kanri).
• Six Sigma/Lean Black Belt certification.
• APICS basic level knowledge.
• Kepner‑Tregoe problem‑solving approach.
• Project management competencies.

What we offer

• Competitive salary with incentive compensation and profit‑sharing opportunities.
• Retirement savings plan, Employee Stock Ownership Plan and ESOP participation.
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance.
• Paid time off, parental leave and flexible work‑life balance.
• Access to global Leadership University, unlimited e‑learning courses and mobility programmes.