Job Description

As a member of the Safran Seats business, you play a major role in teamwork that provides over one million seats to major airlines worldwide. Our commitment to superior quality, comfort and innovation ensure that you can take pride in doing meaningful work that supports the needs of passengers and crews alike.

No matter your role, you connect and collaborate with your fellow team members to bring state-of-the-art, high value-added solutions to market. Because we are one of the few original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to offer an all-inclusive range of passenger seats for commercial aircraft, you'll do impressive work that supports passengers in a variety of seating options, from economy to first class.

1. Occupational Summary (Position Objective & Authorities)

Objective:
The SSUSA Lean Sigma BB will be responsible for supporting the expansion of the use of Lean tools and concepts in how SSUSA performs all activities, ranging from simple daily tasks to process improvement to management practices. This includes support of development and deployment of standard practices across SSUSA for the deployment of Lean Sigma tools and concepts into the SSUSA culture. The Lean Sigma BB will help SSUSA leadership teams learn how to utilize Lean Sigma tools and concepts to manage and improve the business. The primary activities will be coaching, teaching, and projects or Kaizen facilitation so team members may learn the concepts “hands-on”. Works under general supervision of the Continuous Improvement Manager of SSUSA and collaborates with other members of the SSUSA CI team, Seats and Group Safran+ and other members of the Safran Lean Sigma community.

2. Essential Functions (Duties and Responsibilities)

Main Function Responsibilities:
A) Support deployment and use of the Lean Sigma tools across SSUSA
B) Facilitate One Safran Workshops across SSUSA
C) Plan and lead SSUSA-level Lean Sigma projects that will contribute to increase company competitiveness.
D) Ensure C.I projects are on schedule and customer expectations are meet.
E) Make presentations to review status of projects as required.
F) Provide timely internal reports to management (bi-weekly presentations, monthly project reports, quarterly reports.
G) Mentor Lean Sigma Green Belts in order to increase autonomy on the execution on the application of Lean sigma methodologies in order to achieve successful improvement projects
H) Deliver Lean Sigma Green Belt training to Safran employees
I) Serve as instructor of C.I. courses that teaches personnel how to assess, identify and improve their own needs.
J) Develop and document Best Practices as Standard Work.
K) Provide benchmarking and best practice research.
L) Share Best Practices with CI department team members.
M) Implement and make sure teams implement measures of health, Safety and Environment necessary to keep the Physical integrity of team.
N) Optimization of overall product flow and layout of the site.

Job Requirements

3. Qualification Requirements

A. Education & Qualification-
• Bachelor Degree in engineering or business administration; OR an Associate's plus 3 years relevant work experience; OR 6 years directly related work experience.

B. Work Experience - Technical knowledge-
• Minimum 5 years relevant experience and minimum of 3 years with process improvement experience.
• Lean training from the Shingo Institute, Shingijutsu, or other recognized program or company.
• Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification from a recognized institution. If Green Belt certified or external Black Belt certified must peruse Safran Black Belt Certification
• Must pursue One Safran referent accreditation

C. Professional Skills-
• Excellent knowledge of Lean Sigma, process improvement, and problem solving methodologies.
• Expertise within functional areas of Continuous Improvement (at least one of the following fields):
• Office Lean
• Training of Lean Sigma
• Engineering Lean Sigma/Continuous Improvement (DFLSS, DFMA, VAVE, etc.)
• Supply Chain/Fabrication Lean Sigma/ Continuous Improvement
• Quality/Manufacturing Lean Sigma /Continuous Improvement
• Must be an expert communicator, motivator, facilitator, trainer, and a leader.
• Able to organize complex thoughts and ideas into a cohesive, simple message.
• Ability to influence all levels of the organization without direct authority
• Proven ability to take ownership of Continuous improvement projects and execute them in a manner that generates bottom line results.
• Consistent focus on safety, 5S, standard work and problem solving throughout value stream, with visible evidence of effectiveness.
• Must be skilled at problem resolutions. Have sense of urgency “do it now” mentality.
• Challenges the status quo and mobilizes self and group to adapt to changing conditions.
• Must have excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Must be able to drive results via influence rather than direct authority.
• Must understand P&L and how the balance sheet affects the P&L.
• Proven track record of results.
• Strong English speaking skills.
• Must have the ability to generate written communication and to operate required office equipment.
• Ability to read and review written communication.
• Speech and hearing abilities that allow individual to communicate clearly and distinctly in English.

D. Behavioral Skills-
• Demonstrated leadership at the Manager (or similar) level.
• Able to build strong working relationships with all individuals (from shop floor to executive level; all departments and educational backgrounds)
• Must be a good time management person; understand how to hold team accountable and how to take corrective action.
• Must be able to interface, communicate, and work with team members from multiple facilities, countries, cultures, and levels of the organization.
• Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team.

But what else? (advantages, specific features, etc.)

• Must be able to track, support, lead, and work multiple complex tasks.
• Must be able to drive results via influence rather than direct authority.

E. Desirable Aspects-
• Multilingual (English plus French and/or Spanish).
• ASQ Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.

4. Travel-
International and/or Domestic travel required; Up to 10%

Safran Seats USA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Company Information

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.

Safran Seats is one of the world's leading manufacturers of aircraft seats, for both crew and passengers. 1 million Safran Seats-manufactured aircraft seats are currently in service with air fleets around the world.