Clay Wilker

Director, Operations Process Improvement, Northrop Grumman

• LinkedIn

Clay is currently leading the Digital Transformation for Northrop Grumman’s Propulsion Systems, for Manufacturing Operations. From defining and assessing value of digital tools in the manufacturing area, to planning, acquiring, and leading initial implementation of systems and processes that improve factory throughput, while reducing cost, “Farther, Faster, For Less, safely.”
Over his 33-year career in Manufacturing, Clay has served in various roles within Autoliv Automotive Safety Products, and Northrop Grumman, formerly known as Thiokol, and ATK. His leadership roles have provided experience managing teams of 200+ employees, producing products for contracts in excess of $100 million dollars in scope.
Clay has routinely been called upon to lead teams in “turn-around” and new product launches, in manufacturing that utilize his Lean Manufacturing skills and experience.
An active member of the Shingo Institute for 27 years, providing the opportunity to perform team leadership for examination teams on site visits, and evaluate World Class companies, from all over the globe, to evaluate their ability to manufacture in a Lean, World Class fashion.
Clay regularly participates in Digital Transformation forums and technology conferences in his current position. He has been a keynote presenter at the Global Shingo Institute conference, Partners in Business at Utah State University, and a guest lecturer, at the same great University, where he received his undergraduate in Aerospace, and his MBA from the Huntsman School of Business.
Interests include equine sporting events, fly fishing, ranch work, and spending time in the outdoors. Clay resides in Millville Utah and spends considerable time in Southeast Idaho where he grew up on a small ranch and farm.
Clays family includes his wife of 30 years, a son who operates a family-owned excavation company and a daughter who graduated this year from USU in Biochemistry.