Director Continuous Improvement & Learning and Development

Description

Job Summary

The Director of Continuous Improvement and Learning & Development for Innovation and Operations is responsible for shaping and executing the strategic vision for Continuous Improvement and Learning & Development initiatives at Cirrus. This role is pivotal in cultivating a high-performance, lean-driven, and innovation-focused culture that drives operational excellence and sustainable growth.

Blending process optimization with people development, the Director will lead cross-functional efforts to enhance efficiency, elevate customer value, and strengthen employee engagement, leadership capability, technical training, and talent development across the organization.

This individual will be the architect and steward of Cirrus’s Lean Roadmap, guiding teams at all levels through their Lean journey and ensuring improvement efforts are closely aligned with business objectives. By championing a mindset of continuous learning and performance improvement, the Director will integrate targeted learning and development strategies that empower employees, build organizational capability, and support the agility and long-term success of the company.

Supervisory Responsibility

Serves teams that include supervisors, managers, and individual contributors.

Duties and Responsibilities / Essential Functions

Lead Continuous Improvement Efforts :

Inspire and challenge stakeholders to seize opportunities for process improvements that enhance organizational effectiveness.

Guide teams, managers, and employees in identifying, defining, and executing continuous improvement activities that support key initiatives and drive impactful results.

Oversee annual continuous improvement targets, conducting external research and benchmarking to ensure strategies and execution models deliver industry-leading results.

Provide leadership and guidance in cross-functional problem-solving to improve quality, reduce costs, shorten cycle times, and eliminate waste.

Define clear Lean project goals that are measurable, sustainable, and aligned with operational excellence objectives.

Champion Lean principles across the organization by creating and executing a strategy that raises awareness and fosters commitment to Lean at all levels.

Lead and facilitate Kaizen (Rapid Improvement) events, and mentor / coach Kaizen team leaders for effective execution.

Lead enterprise-wide continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies.

Define clear annual objectives, actionable plans, resources, and metrics of success to track performance and achievement.

Manage budgets effectively, ensuring continuous improvement initiatives are delivered within budget and timeline.

Learning & Development Strategies :

Design and execute a comprehensive learning and development strategy aligned with business goals and workforce needs.

Lead the creation and delivery of technical skills, compliance, and soft skills training programs.

Implement modern learning technologies, platforms, and blended learning solutions (e.g., eLearning, microlearning, LMS).

Assess training effectiveness, learning transfer, and ROI through data analysis and feedback mechanisms.

Build a strong learning culture that supports continuous personal and professional growth.

Design and implement programs to build leadership competencies in continuous improvement methodologies, ensuring sustainability and growth.

Direct Cirrus University technical resources such as the learning management system, compliance tracking, onboarding courses, area specific training plans.

Strategic direction of Training Operations, including but not limited to :

New hire and ongoing curriculum development within Cirrus University

Lead the creation of courses, virtual and in-person trainings, and train-the-trainer programs

Facilitate learning

Lead strategy of training and / or messaging to support team members through challenging or unprecedented times / situations such as production rate changes

Partner with Learning Leaders across the Enterprise to align with learning systems and processes that standardize learning.

Coordinate with industry experts and subject matter experts to create and deliver learning strategies that meet organizational needs.

Support the onboarding and training of new team members, ensuring they are equipped to contribute to the organization's Lean and continuous improvement goals.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Organizational Development, or related field (Master’s preferred).

• 15 years of experience in continuous improvement, learning and development, or related leadership roles.

Proven success implementing Lean methodologies and leading organizational change initiatives.

Strong expertise in adult learning principles, instructional design, and talent development.

Experience aligning operational improvements with strategic goals and customer value.

Excellent leadership, communication, and facilitation skills.

Certification in Lean, Six Sigma (Black Belt or higher), or equivalent preferred.

Proven project management skills

Comfortable interacting with all levels of management including top level executives

Accomplished presenter able to deliver succinct messages, enroll & garner commitment from senior leaders across the company in both formal and informal settings, and engage participants in development efforts

Coaching skills and strong personal influence style

Demonstrated ability to build constructive, collaborative business relationships across cultures and organization levels

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies :

Drives Results : Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances.

Ensures Accountability : Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments.

Manages Complexity : Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes, contradictory information to effectively solve problems.

Drives Vision and Purpose : Paints a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action.

Organizational Savvy : Maneuvers comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics.

Empowers team members to provide excellent customer service.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Work beyond 40 hours per week may be required.

Cirrus is dedicated to a drug free work environment promoting equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, veteran status, marital and family status, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Our Benefits : Cirrus provides a range of exciting benefits, including :

401(k) Plan : Dollar-for-dollar match up to 5% after 90 days, with 100% vesting.

Employer-Paid Coverages : Group term life, short- and long-term disability insurance.

Comprehensive Health Coverage : Medical, vision, dental, with additional dependent coverage options.

Free Health Tracking : With rewards for meeting health goals.

Generous PTO : 200 hours accrued within the first year.

Employee Referral Bonus : For referring talented candidates.

Career Development : Tuition reimbursement and professional growth opportunities.

Exclusive Discounts : Access to partner and marketplace discounts.

Community & Engagement : Company and employee clubs at various locations.

These benefits are designed to support your well-being, growth, and enjoyment at Cirrus!

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights () notice from the Department of Labor.