Business Operational Excellence, Director
Blue Origin · Huntsville, AL
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Lean / CI
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 6+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level continuous improvement role at Blue Origin (aerospace & defense) in Huntsville, AL. In this role, you will partner with executive leaders to develop and manage initiatives that drive operations strategy; streamline business processes; increase manufacturing capacity, optimize resource allocation; and enhance overall effectiveness across.
- They ask for
- 6+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Value stream mapping, TPM, Root cause
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
Your game plan for this job
Most people just hit Apply. Do these first and you show up with someone on the inside.
- 1
Find 2–3 people on the Lean / CI team at this site
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply most.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
Ask about the work, not for a referral. We write it for you.
- 3
Have a 15-minute chat
Good questions for this role:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is CI run from the plant floor or from a corporate OpEx group?
- Which metrics does leadership actually watch: OEE, scrap, cost per unit?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply, ideally with a referral
Ask if they'd refer you or introduce you to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link and tell them the day you apply.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
About the role
Qualifications
- ✓Intellectual curiosity is a must!
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business management, Operations / Supply Chain management or related field.
- ✓6+ years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, project management, operations, or finance.
- ✓Experience leading and managing high performing teams.
- ✓Demonstrated ability to think critically and understand implied underlying task
requirements
- ✓Willingness to personally accomplish key tasks in addition to effective delegation for leveraging entire team
- ✓Advanced skills in presentation, communication, and visualization tools. Readiness to brief senior executives effectively on short notice
- ✓Familiarity with key manufacturing concepts: Lean, Theory of Constraints, Six Sigma, etc
- ✓Competence with key manufacturing tools and techniques. Examples: Value Stream Mapping, Root Cause Analysis, A3 Problem Solving, Hoshin Kanri planning, TPM
- ✓Competence with AI and data analysis tools: Claude Code or similar, Tableau, Databricks
- ✓Proven success managing large-scale, enterprise-wide programs with measurable impact on operational efficiency and strategic goals.
- ✓Proficiency in project and project management tools (e.g., Jira Confluence, Teams, Microsoft Project).
- ✓Proactive problem-solving approach with the ability to anticipate challenges and implement solution
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Advanced degree (e.g., MBA) or PMP Certification preferred.
- ✓Prior experience in scaling operations for manufacturing, test, or logistics.
- ✓Experience in establishing simulated and calculated capacity modeling skills in complex stand-up environments.
Culture Statement
Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Export Control Regulations
Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
Background Check
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Application close date
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.
At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!
This role is part of Blue Origin Operations, which is comprised of Integrated Supply Chain, Test Operations, Safety, Quality, and Mission Assurance. This includes Manufacturing and Supply Chain support across all Blue Origin facilities.
We are seeking an experienced Director to join our Engines, In-Space Systems, and Test Operations team within Blue Operations and drive the Business Operations team. This role will be at the intersection of Operations, Strategy, Data Analytics, Project Management, and Business Operations within Blue Origin’s largest, rapidly growing Operations group. In this role you will rely on your technical, operational, and business expertise to help us scale production across many programs to new levels in record time.
This role combines a number of different aspects around leading large-scale enterprise programs and projects aimed at improving operational efficiency and aligning with organizational strategic goals. In this role, you will partner with executive leaders to develop and manage initiatives that drive operations strategy; streamline business processes; increase manufacturing capacity, optimize resource allocation; and enhance overall effectiveness across Operations.
This role requires multi-disciplinary expertise in managing complex, cross-functional projects that are impactful, measurable, and tightly aligned with the program’s priorities. You will work closely with the Operations leadership team and stakeholders across other organizations to identify and drive operational improvements, manage projects and budgets, and ensure successful execution of critical efforts.
Special Mentions
- •Relocation provided
- •Locations: Kent, Washington or Huntsville, Alabama
include but are not limited to
- •Lead a strategic team of specialized project managers, in-house consultants, and analysts
- •Manage the rhythm of business reviews for Engines, In-Space Systems, and Test Operations.
- •Manage space utilization strategy across three sites in three different states, ensuring all required processes have a home and that required transitions are managed.
- •Ensure effective management of large scale capacity expansion projects for schedule, budget, and performance success.
- •Manage the complex interplay between strategy, technology, manufacturing, finance, and business operations.
- •Proactively identify potential risks to production success, including resource gaps, timeline delays, or budgetary constraints.
- •Identify and manage complex dependencies across multiple products, projects, and teams in the enterprise.
- •Develop contingency plans and mitigation strategies to ensure successful program outcomes.
- •Drive continuous improvement by identifying inefficiencies in current processes and implementing innovative solutions.
- •Act as key liaison between external teams and New Glenn Operations leadership to ensure operations objectives are met.
- •Build and maintain strong professional relationships with stakeholders, ensuring alignment on program objectives and priorities.
- •Facilitate regular updates, and reviews to communicate progress.