Description

The Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for driving operational excellence initiatives across the organization's aviation distribution, warehousing, and manufacturing network. This role serves as a change agent, partnering with operations, supply chain, quality, engineering, and leadership teams to improve safety, quality, delivery, inventory performance, productivity, and cost. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on Lean practitioner with experience leading cross-functional process improvement initiatives across multiple locations. This individual will deploy Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving methodologies to eliminate waste, improve customer service levels, optimize inventory flow, and build a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization.

This position is based at our Corporate Headquarters in Wood Dale, IL, with a planned relocation to the Merchandise Mart (Chicago) in early 2027.

What you will be responsible for:

• Develop and execute the company's Continuous Improvement strategy aligned with business goals.
• Lead Lean transformation initiatives across distribution, warehouse, and manufacturing operations.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping workshops, Gemba walks, and root cause analysis activities.
• Drive measurable improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Inventory, and Productivity metrics.
• Serve as the organization's subject matter expert on Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence principles.
• Analyze operational processes to identify bottlenecks, waste, inefficiencies, and cost reduction opportunities. Improve warehouse layout, material flow, inventory management, receiving, picking, packing, and shipping processes.
• Partner with supply chain teams to improve forecasting, inventory accuracy, cycle counting, and replenishment strategies.
• Support facility expansions, automation projects, and process standardization initiatives.
• Develop and implement standard work and best practices across multiple sites.
• Establish and maintain operational KPIs and visual management systems.
• Utilize data analysis to identify trends, drive accountability, and prioritize improvement opportunities.
• Develop dashboards and reporting tools to measure project impact and financial savings.
• Present performance updates and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Build Continuous Improvement capability throughout the organization through coaching and training.
• Lead employee engagement efforts supporting Lean culture adoption.
• Mentor managers and supervisors in problem-solving methodologies and leadership behaviors.
• Support organizational change initiatives and ensure sustainability of improvement efforts.
• Support improvement initiatives within aviation distribution and manufacturing environments.
• Ensure processes comply with applicable quality, safety, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Collaborate with Quality and Supply Chain teams to improve supplier and inventory performance supporting aviation customers.

Qualifications

What you need to be successful in this role:

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or related field.
• 5+ years of Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, or Industrial Engineering experience.
• Demonstrated success leading multi-site process improvement projects.
• Strong knowledge of Lean principles, including: Kaizen Value Stream Mapping 5S Standard Work Kanban Root Cause Analysis Visual Management PDCA
• Experience working in warehousing, distribution, manufacturing, or supply chain environments.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and data analysis skills.
• Ability to travel up to 50%.
• Preferred Experience within aviation, aerospace, defense, MRO, or aviation distribution industries.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification. AS9100, ISO9001, FAA, or aviation quality system experience.
• Experience with ERP, WMS, and business intelligence tools such as Power BI.
• Foundational SQL knowledge.
• Multi-site operations experience.
• Performance Metrics Success in this role will be measured by: Productivity improvements Cost savings realization Warehouse throughput improvements
• Reduction in operational waste
• Employee engagement and Lean adoption

The rewards of your career at AAR go far beyond just your salary:

• Competitive salary and bonus package
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Generous paid time off program
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach and move about the facility.
• The environmental characteristic for this position is an office setting.
• Candidates should be able to adapt to a traditional business environment.

Compensation:

The anticipated salary for this position is $100,000 annually. This range reflects the base salary for candidates who meet the requirements of the role, including experience, education, and location. In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for a bonus. AAR offers a competitive benefits package, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan with employer match, paid time off and holiday pay, as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.

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