Continuous Improvement Manager

Howmet Aerospace

Tucson, AZ, USA

Published: 8/28/2025

Full Time

Responsibilities

About Howmet Aerospace:

Howmet Aerospace has an opening for a Continuous Improvement Manager in our Tucson, AZ location.

Born from many well-known and long-standing brands, Howmet Fastening Systems, headquartered in Torrance, California, is the premier designer and manufacturer of aerospace and industrial fasteners, latches, fluid fittings and installation tools. Our products are used nose to tail on commercial and military aircraft, as well as on jet engines, industrial gas turbines, automobiles, commercial transportation vehicles, wind turbines, solar power systems, and construction and industrial equipment.

Job Summary:

Howmet Aerospace is seeking a results-driven Continuous Improvement (CI) Manger to lead and be responsible for managing lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives at Howmet Fastening System’s (HFS). This role drives and leads a wide range of activities that are designed to improve operations efficiency, productivity, and on-time delivery while minimizing cost and waste.

Key Responsibilities:

Manage the Cost Improvement Program in which cost savings improvements are continually delivered by the site. This requires facilitating a process whereby the team identifies, justifies, and executes actions to deliver a targeted amount savings. This position is the champion of the process to keep the team on task. Projects are reported to Business Unit management monthly. Project types include (but are not limited to):
- Labor productivity improvements (staffing improvements, automation, downtime reduction, setup reduction)
- Cost of poor-quality improvements (mistake-proofing, process improvement, Six Sigma)
- Procurement savings (reductions in spending or usage of purchased items)
- Energy savings (conservation of energy)
Manage the 5S Program for the site. In conjunction with the management team, this includes identifying opportunities to continuously improve the organization and efficiency of all work areas and storage areas in the business.
Manage the Training Program for the facility. Facilitate defining of the training curriculum and certification of operators for proficiency.
Apply continuous improvement tools as required to facilitate improvements in all aspects of the business. This includes 5-Whys, Kaizens, Gemba Walks, downtime studies, pareto analyses, etc.
Define activities that require engineered solutions resulting in reduced waste, improved quality, improved throughput, increased machine/person ratio, improved safety, and improved business unit DVP%.
Lead and collaborate with cross functional internal teams focused on shop floor factory improvements, which could include CAPEX.
Standardize process and document for repeatability, train and certify operators.
Understand and analyze Profit and Loss (P&L) statements to identify opportunities for cost reduction, revenue enhancement, and margin improvement.
Analyze existing processes and identify areas for improvement through data-driven methods such as Lean Six Sigma principles, root cause analysis, and statistical tools.
Act as internal consultant and catalyst to assist plant leadership, individuals, and teams in the application of continuous improvement principles and techniques to improve operations.
Drive consistent, uniform approaches for visual controls and productivity measurements to be utilized throughout production teams and the factory.
Facilitate successful Kaizen and rapid improvement process events with employees, customers and suppliers, with a major emphasis on locally focused improvement. Provide support for all follow-throughs required to sustain the improvements during the events.
Instruct and train others in continuous process improvements, including the use of various problem solving and productivity techniques such as process mapping and cost time management.
Provide formal training on lean manufacturing and continuous improvement concepts, principles, and practices. Utilize a learn-by-doing approach, supplementing classroom work with hands-on training
Assist team leaders in team skill and knowledge development to support meeting management goals, project management, improvements, results measurements, problem solving and related team skills.
Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and measure the impact of improvement initiatives.
Role may support other HFS sites’ continuous improvement activities, as needed (e.g., training, project-based work, best practice support, etc.)
Drive change management efforts to ensure successful implementation and sustainability of process improvements.
Identify and share best practices, lessons learned, and success stories to promote knowledge sharing and continuous learning within the organization. organization.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a manufacturing work environment, which has provided a working knowledge of lean manufacturing and rapid improvement techniques.
Minimum of one (1) year of leadership experience
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution, preferred in Engineering or Business
Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant’s ability to lawfully obtain access to such items

Preferred Qualifications:

Certified Six Sigma Green/Black Belt or Lean Practitioner.
Experience with automation and Industry 4.0 technologies.
Knowledge of aerospace customer and industry specifications (e.g., Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus, NADCAP, AS9100).

Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) which requires U.S. person status. ITAR defines U.S. person as an U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee.

This position will physically require the incumbent to perform duties standing, walking, overhead reaching, lifting (35 – 40lbs), pushing and pulling, and leaning over machines, all equally on a regular basis.

About us

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $7.4 Billion in revenue in 2024, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2024 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report. Follow: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Equal Opportunity Employer: Howmet is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need assistance to complete your application due to a disability, please email TalentAcquisitionCoE_Howmet@howmet.com