Group Leader

Bristol, England, United Kingdom

10/25/2024

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

The Group Leader plays a pivotal role in driving the success of the team by taking full accountability for achieving the People, Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cash, and Cost (PSQDCC) targets. This is accomplished through the disciplined and rigorous application of the Lean Operating Model, ensuring operational goals are met with precision.

In this role, the successful candidate will be responsible for delivering Operational Excellence within their designated area, aligning their efforts with the broader Performance Centre objectives. Their leadership is key to fostering a culture of high performance, with an unwavering focus on safety, quality, and efficiency.

Central to their mission is the creation of a truly exceptional workplace environment. The Group Leader is committed to developing and empowering top-tier Team Leaders, nurturing a culture of continuous improvement, promoting safe practices, and encouraging open and honest communication. Their leadership ensures the team thrives, driving both individual growth and collective success.

How You'll Contribute

• Create and sustain a high-performing culture aligned with GKN Aerospace’s "Great Place to Work" values and Culture Principles by consistently role-modeling positive behaviors, inspiring and motivating teams, and celebrating individual and collective achievements.
• Hold Team Members and Team Leaders accountable for living the GKN culture principles, ensuring that these values are reflected in every aspect of the team’s performance.
• Embrace open and honest communication, offering constructive feedback and tailored coaching to help individuals bridge performance gaps, all while maintaining a supportive and growth-oriented environment.
• Lead by example with a safety-first mindset, ensuring that Health, Safety, and Environmental policies are rigorously applied and that assigned areas exemplify a world-class, healthy, and safe work environment.
• Develop and nurture exceptional Team Leaders who fully embody the GKN culture principles and are prepared to advance into Group Leader roles or other key positions within the organization.
• Empower teams with a deep understanding of the PSQDCC targets (People, Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cash, and Cost), ensuring alignment with customer and stakeholder expectations.
• Drive the disciplined deployment of the Lean Operating Model (LOM) across assigned areas, maintaining a relentless focus on continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
• Be actively engaged in problem-solving, utilizing a “Go to Gemba” approach to address challenges, with the aim of resolving 98% of issues within the area itself.
• Contribute to the broader Site strategy through the Hoshin Kanri (Strategy Deployment) process and lead the successful execution of these strategies within assigned areas.
• Collaborate effectively with other Group Leaders, keeping the bigger picture in mind to achieve the best performance outcomes across the site.
• Hold functional support staff accountable for adhering to Global standards, ensuring that they fully enable area teams to meet their targets.
• Ensure the rigorous execution of Daily Management and Standardized Work practices, emphasizing the importance of Leader Standard Work and disciplined follow-through.
• Champion team engagement by driving the implementation and tracking of engagement initiatives, ensuring that actions are meaningful and impactful.
• Stay compliant with all legal and regulatory requirements, keeping staff well-informed of relevant policies and their responsibilities, including: Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action policies Compliance and Ethics Policy regarding U.S. Government contracting
• Export Control regulations
• Provide input on capital expenditure (Capex) projects within the area and manage the Area budget in collaboration with the Direct Manager.
• Take ownership when making difficult decisions, demonstrating accountability and leadership in challenging situations related to your area of responsibility.
  
  

What You'll Bring

Essential

An evidenced track record in;

• Operations leadership, preferably internally from a first line leader type role
• Experience within a manufacturing / shop floor environment
• Understanding of performance numbers and trends
• Meeting and exceeding PSQDCC performance targets
• Using effective communication to build a high performing team
• Influencing across functional lines
• The ability to lead, coach and develop direct reports
• Consistently working to standards as defined in the site Business / Quality
• Management system (B/QMS)
• Good standard of English language
  
  

Desirable

• Qualifications in an Engineering or Science discipline
• Proficient in English language (written and verbal)
• Experience working with a Lean Operating Model / Production System
• Lean or Six Sigma certification by a reputable certifying body or benchmark company
• Aerospace supply chain experience
• A passion for the Aerospace industry
  
  

What We Offer

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

• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• Bonus scheme of up to 22.5%
• Car allowance of £5,500pa
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Flexible working hours including the ability to finish at 12noon on a Friday
• 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!

Why Join Us

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. 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’ last year. 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’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.