Group Leader

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:

• 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
• Be Open and Honest when appraising and managing individuals performance whilst supporting and coaching individuals to close performance gaps
• 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
• 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
• Driving the disciplined and rigorous deployment of the Lean Operating Model (LOM) across their designated areas, looking for improvements and including their team
• 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
• Contributing to the site strategy through the strategy development process and ensuring its execution across their designated areas
• Holding the functional support staff accountable for adhering to the Global standards and enabling their area teams to meet their targets
• Ensure clear communication and actions between all departments to support the material flow in the area
• 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
• 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:

• • 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:

• Operations leadership or suitable experience within a similar position
• Can understand complex assembly processes and has experience within a heavily regulated manufacturing/production facility
• An effective communicator that can build a high performing team
• Ability to Influence across functional lines
• The ability to lead, coach and develop direct reports
• Good standard of English language (Written & Verbal)

Desirable:

• Qualifications in an Engineering or Science discipline
• Experience working with a Lean Operating Model / Production System
• Lean or Six Sigma certification by a reputable certifying body or benchmark company
• Aerospace experience, or experience with complex assembly structures
• IOSH/NEBOSH certified

What We'll Offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:

• Competitive Salary plus up to 22.5% Company Bonus 
• £5,500 Car Allowance 
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis (GKN Contribution up to 12%)
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Flexible working hours
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
• 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!