How You'll Help Us Keep Climbing (Overview & Key Responsibilities)
The Manager, TechOps Continuous Improvement - Strategic Value Stream leads deployment, adoption, governance, and sustainment of the TechOps Lean operating system ("Flight Path") within an assigned Strategic Value Stream (Engines, Airframes, or Line). This role serves as the primary Continuous Improvement business partner to the assigned Value Stream Owner and leadership team, driving improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost (in that order) through strategic deployment, operational excellence, leader coaching, and change leadership.
The Manager is responsible for aligning Flight Path activities to value stream priorities, building continuous improvement capabilities, coaching leaders and frontline teams, and leading a team of Continuous Improvement professionals. This position influences performance across multiple operational organizations within the value stream and plays a critical role in achieving sustainable operational and financial results.
Roles And Responsibilities
- Lead deployment, governance, and sustainment of the Flight Path operating system within the assigned Value Stream, ensuring alignment to strategic priorities, operating plans, and performance objectives.
- Partner with the Value Stream Owner and leadership team to identify, prioritize, and execute improvement opportunities that support safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
- Coach Value Stream leaders and frontline leadership teams in Lean leadership behaviors, structured problem solving, Daily Management, leader standard work, and continuous improvement methodologies to accelerate cultural transformation and performance improvement.
- Lead and develop the assigned Value Stream Continuous Improvement team, including talent development, capability building, performance management, and deployment of continuous improvement resources.
- Facilitate value stream assessments, Kaizen events, operational reviews, strategic planning workshops, and improvement activities to identify and eliminate operational waste and performance barriers.
- Develop, monitor, and improve Daily Management systems, visual management processes, performance review cadences, and problem-solving routines across the Value Stream.
- Analyze operational performance data, identify root causes of performance gaps, and develop sustainable countermeasures to improve business outcomes.
- Lead change management efforts associated with Flight Path deployment and operational transformation initiatives while ensuring stakeholder engagement and adoption.
- Conduct Gemba walks and other validation activities to assess implementation effectiveness and ensure compliance with Flight Path standards and expectations.
- Practice safety-conscious behaviors in all operational processes and procedures and promote a culture of safety throughout the organization
What You Need To Succeed (Minimum Qualifications)
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field required.
- Minimum 7 years of experience in operations, continuous improvement, operational excellence, engineering, maintenance, project management, or related business functions.
- Minimum 3 years of leadership experience leading teams and/or significant cross-functional initiatives.
- Demonstrated experience implementing Lean methodologies and driving measurable operational improvements.
- Deep understanding of Lean principles, continuous improvement methodologies, Daily Management systems, and performance management processes.
- Demonstrated experience facilitating value stream analysis, Kaizen events, operational reviews, and strategic planning workshops.
- Experience coaching leaders and teams in structured problem solving, change management, and continuous improvement practices.
- Strong facilitation, communication, presentation, and consensus-building skills.
- Ability to translate strategic objectives into actionable improvement plans and measurable business results.
- Experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
- Strong analytical skills and proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and related business analysis tools.
- Ability to work effectively with all organizational levels, from frontline employees to senior leaders.
- Some travel may be required.
- Consistently prioritizes safety and security of self, others, and personal data.
- Embraces diverse people, thinking, and styles.
- Possesses a high school diploma, GED, or high school equivalency.
- Is at least 18 years of age and has authorization to work in the United States
What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
- Master's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
- Airline, aviation maintenance, MRO, manufacturing, or other highly regulated operational industry experience.
- Formal Lean, Lean Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, or Continuous Improvement certification.
- Experience deploying Lean operating systems across large operational organizations.
- Experience implementing Daily Management, visual management, leader standard work, and performance management systems.
- Proven track record of delivering measurable improvements in safety, quality, operational performance, employee engagement, and cost efficiency.
- Experience leading organizational culture change initiatives and influencing leaders without direct authority.
- Experience working across maintenance, engineering, planning, supply chain, or other complex operational environments.
Benefits And Perks To Help You Keep Climbing
Our culture is rooted in a shared dedication to living our values – Honesty, Integrity, Respect, Perseverance, and Servant Leadership – every day, in everything we do. Exploring a career at Delta gives you a chance to see the world while providing great benefits to help you keep climbing along the way:
- Competitive salary, performance incentives, industry-leading profit sharing, and 401(k) with generous direct contribution and company match.
- Paid time off including vacation, holidays, and paid personal time.
- Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, short/long term disability and life benefits.
- Wellbeing programs to support physical, emotional, social, and financial health, including access to an employee assistance program offering support for you and anyone in your household, free financial coaching, and extensive resources supporting mental health counseling.
- Domestic and International (standby) Flight privileges for employees and eligible family members.
- Career development programs to achieve your long-term career goals.
- Access to over 500 discounts, specialty savings and voluntary benefits through Deltaperks such as car and hotel rentals and auto/homeowners/pet insurances.
