Continuous Improvement Manager

Woodward's Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Commitment

At Woodward, no matter where you are from, your physical appearance, or how you identify, you deserve the opportunity to reach your greatest potential. We are on a journey to achieve this as an organization and want to work closely with our members to set the right path.

We humbly acknowledge this will be an imperfect journey. Yet, we are steadfastly committed to embracing the power of diverse people, perspectives and experiences for our current members, attracting the best talent across our communities, and creating an inclusive and rewarding workplace for all.

Woodward supports our members' wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position. Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Level 1:

• Estimated annual base pay: $111,600.00 (minimum) - $139,500.00 (midpoint) - $167,400.00 (maximum)

Level 2:

• Estimated annual base pay: $126,000.00 (minimum) - $157,500.00 (midpoint) - $189,000.00 (maximum)

• Long-term incentive compensation in the form of equity IF APPLICABLE
• All members included in annual cash bonus opportunity
  • 401(k) match (4.5%)
  • Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%)
  • Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members
• 12 paid holidays, including floating holidays
• Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire

• Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave
• Paid parental leave
• Adoption Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits
• Member Life & AD&D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life
• Member referral bonus

• Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending
• Voluntary benefits, including:

• Home / Auto Insurance discounts
• Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave

Are you ready to make your mark? If you're a Continuous Improvement Manager, we have an exciting opportunity for you. This position reports to a Manager or a Director. The purpose is to provide leadership with a Lean/Six Sigma focus resulting in the deployment of proven CI methods and tools resulting in measurable and sustained improvement of QDRC within design engineering.

What You Will Be Doing

• Demonstrates a mindset and commitment to continuous improvement across the operation (i.e. defines improvement goals, establishes accountability through QDRC metrics, uses Lean/Six Sigma tools and techniques to continually improve processes and business results, and establishes a mindset within operations to document and control processes; promotes safety and housekeeping; uses facilitative leadership).
• Acts as a liaison across the business segment with other functional areas (e.g. Production Engineering, Supply Chain, Sales, Quality, and Manufacturing)
• Accountable for the technical aspects of problem solving, systems implementation and validation for projects and services (e.g. Technical Quality or Continuous Improvement).
• Develop efficiency tools using PowerBI, SharePoint, SAP BusinessObjects and other software.
• Provide leadership to direct reports (or have dotted line relationship) by leading, managing, supporting and coaching members ensuring continual development of competencies.
• Develop and maintain an appropriate organization structure to support the process improvement function that is aligned with the business segment, CoE and company strategic plans.
• Plan and manage resources to profit plan and capital plan.
• Integrate best practices and industry standards into engineering practice. Provide leadership for the Product Standards Council.
• Collaborate with other CI organizations across Woodward to ensure alignment of the CI, Lean/Six Sigma philosophies and methodologies and overarching best practices that is impactful and current with "Best in Class" industry practices.

What We Are Looking For

Level 1:

• US - Bachelor's Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS)-Management/Technical Field
• US - Master's degree in Arts/Sciences (MA/MS)-Management/Technical Field or international equivalent (preferred)
• 5+ years professional experience in engineering/manufacturing environment or a branch of the military
• Greenbelt certification preferred
• Demonstrated success in implementing Lean/Six Sigma concepts for business processes
• Prior leadership experience in an engineering/manufacturing environment preferred

Level 2:

• US - Bachelor's Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS)-Management/Technical Field
• US - Master's degree in Arts/Sciences (MA/MS)-Management/Technical Field or international equivalent (preferred)
• 5+ years professional experience in manufacturing environment or a branch of the military
• Blackbelt certification preferred
• Demonstrated success in implementing Lean/Six Sigma concepts for business processes
• Prior leadership experience in an engineering/manufacturing environment preferred

This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of the ITAR and EAR, or eligible to obtain all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident (i.e., 'Green Card holder'), or a protected person (e.g., asylee, or refugee).

Woodward is an Equal Opportunity Employer

EO/AA/M/F/Disabled/Protected Veterans

#LI-Hybrid