Continuous Improvement Consultant
Benefits:
Competitive salary
Flexible schedule
Opportunity for advancement
Continuous Improvement Consultant, Aerospace Manufacturing and Supply Chain Location: Saginaw, MI metro area Rate: 45 to 55 dollars per hour Company: Third Party International Schedule: Part time
Third Party International is seeking a Continuous Improvement Consultant with aerospace manufacturing and supply chain experience to support a client in Saginaw, MI. This is a part time consulting role where the work location varies by project. The ideal candidate can work across the factory and the supply base to improve on time delivery, reduce lead time, eliminate chronic shortages, and strengthen execution while protecting quality and compliance.
About the Role
You will partner with operations, supply chain, quality, and engineering teams to identify bottlenecks and waste in both internal production flow and external supplier performance. The work includes shop floor improvements and supplier facing actions that stabilize material availability and improve schedule adherence. Work may include a mix of on site and remote support depending on project needs.
Key Responsibilities
Assess current state manufacturing flow and supply chain execution to identify the real constraints driving late deliveries, shortages, and expediting
Lead continuous improvement activities including kaizen events, root cause workshops, and action focused problem solving across operations and supply chain
Improve production planning and scheduling effectiveness by reducing churn, tightening priorities, and improving schedule adherence
Build and run shortage management routines including clear ownership, due dates, recovery plans, and escalation paths
Support supplier performance improvement through structured follow up on on time delivery, quality, lead time, and responsiveness
Improve incoming material readiness through better supplier requirements flowdown, documentation control, and receiving and inspection process alignment
Develop and implement standard work, visual management, and daily management routines that sustain gains
Support value stream mapping and future state design focused on lead time reduction from supplier to shipping
Use data to quantify issues, prioritize work, track results, and verify effectiveness
Coach and train client teams on lean tools and practical application for operations and supply chain teams
Provide clear weekly updates including actions, owners, due dates, risks, and measurable outcomes
Qualifications
Significant experience in continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, or operational excellence in aerospace manufacturing environments
Practical supply chain experience in areas such as planning, procurement, supplier development, or shortage management
Strong hands on understanding of machining, assembly, inspection, and production control concepts
Proven experience with tools such as 5S, standard work, value stream mapping, A3, 5 Why, and basic KPI systems
Ability to lead cross functional teams and influence without direct authority
Comfortable working on the shop floor and engaging directly with suppliers when needed
Strong documentation and follow through skills
Preferred
Experience working in AS9100 environments and familiarity with aerospace quality system expectations
Experience supporting supplier recovery plans and supplier performance scorecards
Familiarity with ERP or MRP systems and how they connect to production execution and material planning
About Third Party International
Third Party International thirdparty.biz provides experienced engineering, quality, supply chain, and continuous improvement professionals to aerospace and advanced manufacturing clients across the United States. We deploy hands on consultants to stabilize operations, prevent problems before they arise, and deliver measurable performance gains.
If you have aerospace manufacturing and supply chain experience and you enjoy leading practical improvements across factories and supplier networks, we invite you to apply for this part time consulting role.
Flexible work from home options available.