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Manager, Continuous Improvement

Howmet Aerospace · Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Level
Manager
Team
Lean / CI
Degree
Required
Experience asked
5+ years
Industry
Aerospace & defense
Posted
24 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A management continuous improvement role at Howmet Aerospace (aerospace & defense) in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

They ask for
5+ years · degree required
Tools it names
Kaizen
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage

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.

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
Not listed in this posting

Typical $127k–$167k, from 12 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.

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

Off-shift / weekend coverage

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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
    • 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 Rancho Cucamonga

3 other open roles at this site.

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

Responsibilities

This is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

  • ◆Facilitate successful Kaizen and rapid improvement process events with both internal and external consultants, customers and suppliers, with a major emphasis on locally focused improvement. Provide the support all follow-throughs required to sustain the improvements during the events.
  • ◆Coordinate with senior management to deliver team-based and individual training to support enhanced organizational performance through imparting thorough knowledge and continuous improvement concepts, principles, and practices.
  • ◆Act as internal consultant and catalyst to assist individuals and teams in the application of continuous improvement principles and techniques to improve operation. May provide support external consulting services to other company or supplier operations.
  • ◆Coach and support leadership at all levels in meeting business improvement metrics through the application of continuous improvement methods and techniques. Establish reporting methods to track progress and communication processes to inform the organization of results opportunities.
  • ◆Facilitate consistent, uniform approaches for visual controls and productivity measurements to be utilized throughout product teams and the factory.
  • ◆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.
  • ◆Provide overall guidance and consultation focusing on the perfection of continuous improvement techniques. Identify opportunities for improvements, continually evaluate results, and sustain performance gains.
  • ◆Assist in the collection of data for tracking improvements.
  • ◆Coordinate with resource departments to fabricate, install and implement improvements.
  • ◆Ensure that all work activities are performed in accordance with established safety and environmental standards.
  • ◆Maintain full compliance with Company policies and procedures and conducts all activities in accordance with the Howmet Guide to Business Conduct.
  • ◆Completes reports and forms, as required. Represents the business in reporting results and action plans to Senior management and wider CI Function team.
  • ◆Ensure that all work activities are performed in accordance with established safety and environmental standards.
  • ◆Develops strategies and programs that improve the productivity and efficiency of the various work processes of the company.
  • ◆Instructs others in continuous process improvements, including the use of various problem solving and productivity techniques such as process mapping and cost time management.
  • ◆Facilitates employee teams to build cohesiveness and improve the overall results of the respective teams' tasks.

Qualifications

  • ✓Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration from an accredited institution.
  • ✓Minimum 5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
  • ✓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.
  • ✓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.

Preferred qualifications

  • ✓A strong technical understanding of Production KPIs.
  • ✓Strong leadership skills that foster an engaged employee environment.
  • ✓Previous experience with change management.
  • ✓Demonstrated results in leading manufacturing excellence.
  • ✓A strong technical understanding of manufacturing processes.
  • ✓Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational and negotiation skills.
  • ✓Strong mechanical aptitude.
  • ✓Experience in the forging industry is a plus.
Show full description ↓

Summary

Responsible for supporting for organization, planning implementation and follow-through of continuous improvement initiatives established within the company's operating model. Drives and leads a wide range of activities that are designed to improve on-time delivery and productivity.

Our Story

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 $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contribu

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