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Senior Manager, Continuous Improvement, Capital Projects and Infracstructure

Howmet Aerospace · Torrance, CA

Apply on Howmet Aerospace ↗
Level
Manager
Team
Lean / CI
Base pay
$170k–$210k
Experience asked
5+ years
Industry
Aerospace & defense
Posted
30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A management continuous improvement role at Howmet Aerospace (aerospace & defense) in Torrance, CA. Furthermore, you will oversee the forecasting and tracking of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets and actuals, ensuring capital investments are aligned with environmental impact goals and sustainability commitments.

They ask for
5+ years
Tools it names
Lean, Casting, EHS / safety
Base pay
$170k–$210k

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Continuous Improvement roles in California: typical posted base $127k–$167k. This one lists $170k–$210k.

Median of the low and high ends of 12 live postings that list pay, out of 24 continuous improvement openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 23 other live lean / ci postings in California.

Base pay
About 35% above similar roles

Typical $120k–$163k, from 11 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
Less than usual (5+ vs 7+)

Similar roles usually ask 7+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Lean 79%
  • Six Sigma 54%
  • Kaizen 54%
  • Value stream mapping 50%
  • Root cause 33%
  • Black Belt 33%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for Casting, EHS / safety, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 5+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Lean / CI team at Howmet Aerospace

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • 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. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.

  5. 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.

This plant: Howmet Aerospace in Torrance

5 other open roles at this site.

Full description from Howmet AerospaceAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) is seeking a Senior Manager, Continuous Improvement, Capital Projects and Infrastructure based at our Torrance, California Headquarters, or an alternate Southern California site, with regular travel to sites. We hold the number one global position in aerospace fastening systems, and we’re the North American leader in commercial transportation fasteners. Our high-tech, multi-material fastening systems are found nose to tail on aircraft and aerospace engines. Our products are also critical components of industrial gas turbines, automobiles, commercial transportation vehicles, and construction and industrial equipment.

Responsibilities

  • ◆Lead full lifecycle delivery of capital projects across North America, from concept and feasibility through design, procurement, installation, and commissioning, while ensuring disciplined execution of scope, schedule, budget, and vendor performance.
  • ◆Provide strong financial and governance oversight for CAPEX initiatives, including cost tracking, forecasting, variance analysis, and alignment with annual plans and approval requirements.
  • ◆Drive continuous improvement in capital investment, identifying new opportunities with site leaders, optimizing spend, reducing waste, improving ROI, and strengthening long‑term asset value and operational efficiency.
  • ◆Partner cross-functionally with operations, engineering, finance, procurement, and EHS to align project objectives with broader enterprise strategy.
  • ◆Develop and maintain comprehensive project documentation including budgets, schedules, risk assessments, and ROI/payback analyses. Identify potential risks and implement mitigation strategies to ensure successful project outcomes.
  • ◆Lead the NA Aero Continuous Improvement Program (CIP), including annual goal‑setting, project pipeline development, and delivery of major productivity and cost‑reduction targets across all sites.
  • ◆Drive CI engagement and accountability with plant leadership, provide Lean and problem‑solving coaching, and ensure each site maintains a prioritized portfolio of improvement initiatives.
  • ◆Consolidate and validate CI results, report savings and operational impact to senior leadership, and integrate CI priorities with CAPEX strategies to strengthen long‑term performance.
  • ◆Oversee contractor selection and bid processes while managing vendors throughout construction and installation to ensure quality, cost‑effectiveness, and adherence to project specifications, timelines, and governance

requirements

  • ✓Oversee real estate and footprint strategy of manufacturing sites, including lease management, broker engagement, and support for site utilization and expansion planning.
  • ✓Lead forecasting and tracking of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets and actuals, ensuring capital investments align with sustainability goals and environmental impact objectives.
  • ✓Ensure compliance with all applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory standards throughout each phase of the project lifecycle.
  • ✓Champion continuous improvement in project execution methodologies, governance practices, and investment strategies.
Show full description ↓

General Summary

We are seeking a strategic and execution-focused Senior Manager, Continuous Improvement, Capital Projects and Infrastructure to lead and deliver Cost Savings and CAPEX initiatives across our HFS North America Aerospace (NA Aero) manufacturing sites. This role is pivotal in driving operational efficiency, innovation, and growth through the successful execution of capital investments—on time, within budget, and aligned with ROI/payback expectations. You will manage a dynamic portfolio of infrastructure, equipment, and technology projects, ensuring alignment with long-term asset value and strategic goals.

This role will serve as the primary leader for the NA Aero Continuous Improvement Program (CIP), driving $20m+ in year-over-year productivity, waste reduction, and operational excellence. The leader will oversee CI governance, track savings delivery against annual targets and ensure strong engagement and accountability from plant leadership teams.

The leader will also play a key role in shaping future investments by partnering with operational and cross-functional leaders to identify and scope opportunities that enhance our capabilities in aerospace, fasteners, and precision manufacturing. The scope of this role also includes responsibility for our real estate and footprint strategy, such as engaging with brokers to manage leases and renewals, and supporting sites with utilization and expansion needs. Furthermore, you will oversee the forecasting and tracking of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets and actuals, ensuring capital investments are aligned with environmental impact goals and sustainability commitments. All projects must meet safety, environmental, and regulatory standards, and contribute meaningfully to our competitive positioning.

Specific

Skills

  • •Extensive knowledge and experience with lean manufacturing. Must have proven leadership and management skills. Thorough knowledge of complex electronic business enterprise systems required.
  • •Demonstrated experience leading multi-site Continuous Improvement programs, including savings tracking, CI Governance, and deployment of Lean tools
  • •Proven success delivering single-site and multi-site capital projects with budgets ranging from $500k to $50M.
  • •Familiarity with sustainability metrics and GHG emissions tracking; ability to align capital investments with environmental performance goals.
  • •Ability to work effectively with employees, peers, senior-level leaders, customers and vendor representatives.
  • •Excellent communication, presentation, and persuasion skills. Ability to work independently, prioritizing and completing multiple work assignments in diverse fields with minimal direction.
  • •The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed. They are not inten

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