Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.
GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.
Job Summary
It’s great to know you’re making a difference to the future of aviation! Whatever part you play you’ll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers.
We are currently seeking a Group Leader to join us at our modern manufacturing facility in Western Approach. This site is an International Centre of Excellence in composite wing structure design and production, manufacturing composite wing spars and Fixed Trailing Edge assemblies for some of the world's most popular aircrafts.
The Group Leader is accountable for achieving the People, Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cash and Cost (PSQDCC) targets through the disciplined and rigorous deployment of the Lean Operating Model.
The successful candidate will be responsible for attaining Operational Excellence across their designated area of responsibility, in line with the Performance Centre objectives. You will be accountable for creating a “Great Place to Work” through developing and empowering first class Team Leaders and driving a culture of continuous improvement, engagement, safe working and open dialogue.
The successful applicant will work a 37 hour week and oversee a team of between 8-12 Team Leaders, and a wider span of between 60-80 direct workers.
Job Responsibilities
In this role, you will:
1. Create and sustain a culture that is aligned to the GKN Aerospace “Great Place to Work” value drivers and Culture Principles by role modelling behaviours, motivating, encouraging and recognising the contribution of individuals and teams
2. Be Open and Honest when appraising and managing individuals performance whilst supporting and coaching individuals to close performance gaps
3. Developing first-class Team Leaders who embody the GKN Aerospace culture principles and are readily able to progress to become Group Leaders or other key roles in the business
4. Leading and developing their teams to understand the context, mechanics and the delivery of PSQDCC targets in a sustainable way to meet customer and stakeholder commitments, being hands on management and available for coaching and guidance
5. Driving the disciplined and rigorous deployment of the Lean Operating Model (LOM) across their designated areas, looking for improvements and including their team
6. Active involvement in problem solving and the management system using a “go to Gemba” approach to solve problems with the ambition that 98% of issues can be solved within the area itself
7. Contributing to the site strategy through the strategy development process and ensuring its execution across their designated areas
8. Holding the functional support staff accountable for adhering to the Global standards and enabling their area teams to meet their targets
9. Ensure clear communication and actions between all departments to support the material flow in the area
10. Ensuring the disciplined execution of Daily Management and Standardised work through the conscientious adherence to Leader Standard Work and taking appropriate action if standards are not met
11. Driving and facilitating the Engagement of all team members, ensuring engagement actions are identified, implemented and followed through
In addition to:
Compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements and ensuring that staff are aware of the policies and their individual responsibilities and accountabilities including:
12. The company’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity & Inclusion policies Compliance and Ethics Policy Export Control Regulations Input to Capex projects within their area Responsibility for managing Area budget as agreed with Direct Manager Taking total ownership of their area when having to make difficult decisions and ensuring improvements are embedded in day-to-day practice
What You'll Bring
To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and expertise/ talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:
Essential:
13. Operations leadership or suitable experience within a similar position
14. Can understand complex assembly processes and has experience within a heavily regulated manufacturing/production facility
15. An effective communicator that can build a high performing team
16. Ability to Influence across functional lines
17. The ability to lead, coach and develop direct reports
18. Good standard of English language (Written & Verbal)
Desirable:
19. Qualifications in an Engineering or Science discipline
20. Experience working with a Lean Operating Model / Production System
21. Lean or Six Sigma certification by a reputable certifying body or benchmark company
22. Aerospace experience, or experience with complex assembly structures
23. IOSH/NEBOSH certified
What We'll Offer
Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:
24. Competitive Salary plus up to 22.5% Company Bonus
25. £5,500 Car Allowance
26. Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis (GKN Contribution up to 12%)
27. Life Assurance 8 x salary
28. 25 days holiday + bank holidays
29. Flexible working hours
30. Income protection
31. Shopping discounts
32. Cycle To Work Scheme
33. Employee Assistance Programme
34. Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
35. A collaborative, dynamic working environment
As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where you career journey may take you!
We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?
A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working
Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.
We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.
We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.