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
Joining our Continuous Improvement Team at our East Cowes site, this role offers an exciting opportunity for someone who has started their Lean / Continuous Improvement journey and is looking to build deeper capability and hands‑on experience within a world‑class aerospace environment.
Reporting to the Site Lean Deployment Leader, you will work across both our Civil and Defence business lines, supporting the delivery of our Lean Operating Model and helping to drive sustainable improvements across the site.
This position is ideally suited to someone who has completed initial Lean or Continuous Improvement training and now wants to take the next step — applying Lean principles in practice, learning from experienced Lean leaders, and developing into a confident improvement practitioner.
About the Role
As a Lean Team Member, you will support our Lean Deployment Leaders and wider leadership teams in the practical deployment of Lean across the site. You will gain exposure to structured problem solving, performance improvement, and cultural change in a complex manufacturing environment.
You will be given the opportunity to:
1. Further develop your knowledge of Lean Thinking and Continuous Improvement
2. Learn and apply Six Sigma methodologies, A3 thinking, and 8D structured problem solving
3. Support improvement activities aligned to GKN Aerospace’s Lean Operating Model (LOM)
4. Build practical experience working alongside experienced Lean professionals and operational leaders
This is a development-focused role, designed to help you grow your capability, confidence, and impact as a Lean practitioner within our organisation.
Job Responsibilities
5. Actively supporting the deployment of the Lean Operating Model within assigned areas
6. Assisting Lean Deployment Leaders with improvement activities, workshops, and problem-solving events
7. Supporting teams in identifying waste, improving flow, and stabilising performance
8. Helping gather, analyse, and visualise data to support improvement opportunities
9. Contributing to the delivery of improvements across People, Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory and Productivity (PSQDIP)
10. Promoting a culture aligned to GKN Aerospace’s “Great Place to Work” values and Culture Principles
11. Role-modelling a safety-first mindset, ensuring Health, Safety and Environmental standards are always upheld
12. Making problems visible and supporting structured problem-solving approaches
13. Learning to coach and influence stakeholders at all levels as your capability develops
14. Complying with all legal, regulatory, and company requirements, and promoting awareness of individual responsibilities
Job Qualifications
Suitable candidates must be able to demonstrate the following:
Essential:
15. Previous experience in a relevant business role with some exposure to Lean or Continuous Improvement (ideally within a manufacturing or operational environment)
16. A foundational understanding of Lean principles and structured problem solving
17. A genuine interest in developing a career in Continuous Improvement
18. An ability to engage positively with stakeholders and work collaboratively
19. A proactive mindset with a desire to learn, improve, and make a difference
Desirable:
20. Experience supporting Lean or Continuous Improvement projects
21. Completion of introductory Lean training or certification
22. Exposure to manufacturing or operational environments
23. An interest in, or passion for, the aerospace industry
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.
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