CI Manager

Maker’s Pride, LLC; Geneva (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Maker’s Pride, LLC in Geneva, Illinois seeks a CI Manager to drive sustainable process improvements across the plant, delivering safety, quality, delivery, cost, and morale gains through Lean methods and hands-on leadership.

In this role you will collaborate with plant leadership, SAP-enabled CI systems, and cross-functional teams to coach Kaizen events, build cost-savings roadmaps, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent is required or accepted.
• 2–3 years of CI experience in manufacturing is preferred.
• Strong leadership and problem-solving skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Leads Kaizen events and coaches facilitators to drive improvements.
• Develops and executes action plans with plant CI team and CI Champions.
• Drives cost savings, throughput improvements, and productivity roadmaps.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Project Management

Leadership

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related field

Work experience equivalent accepted

Tools

SAP

HPS Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Geneva, 1800 Averill Rd, Geneva, Illinois, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 5:00 AM

Job Summary:

The CI Manager is responsible for driving sustainable Process Improvements in the facility by delivering breakthrough results in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Morale. The CI Manager works closely with plant leadership, Regional CI, and department employees to achieve results. This position requires strong technical, Lean Manufacturing, and hands-on leadership skills to drive cultural change in the plant.

Job Duties: Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

Leads, facilitates, and coaches full week Kaizen events to drive sustainable improvements

Coach Point Kaizen facilitators through prework, the event, and sustainment

Works closely with Plant CI team and CI Champions to:

• Develop and execute improvement action plans
• Executes and improves Center lining, SMED, and other various heatmaps to drive improvement within the facility
• Build an employee engaged work environment
• Provide and teach CI tools to CI and Non-CI employees

Ability to perform theory of constraints analysis, identify the constraint, and implement practical and effective solutions to improving throughput

Establishes and drives productivity pipeline roadmaps across departments and facility

Tracks and analyzes the CI initiatives including driving the cost savings program for the site to meet annual cost savings target.

Working knowledge of P&L/financial acumen to course correct CI plans based on weekly financial and P&L results as needed, identify cost savings, and to track effectiveness of lean activities

Understands and drives the use of SAP tools to understand the needs of the plant

Responsible for implementing and coaching HPS tools to improve all areas of plants

Build cultural Lean change throughout the plant

Leverage resources and share best practices across multiple plants when possible

Facilitate and coach RCA tools and methodology to drive waste out of the process

Work with customers, suppliers and all levels of management staff

Responsible for managing multiple projects concurrently

Ensure the facility implements and maintains Continuous Improvement initiatives

Knowledge and experience with SAP

The CI Manager should possess extensive technical skills and hands-on experience in continuous improvement manufacturing activities

Bias for action, change agent, challenging the status quo to drive to operations excellence

Strong will to drive change and influence without authority

Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work with autonomy.

Must be accurate, detail-oriented and maintain the utmost confidentiality.

Ability To:

Ability to effectively present information to employees, top management, public groups and/or board of directors.

Ability to define problems, collect and calculate data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram and/or schedule form.

Ability to work well with others in stressful situations and meet deadlines as necessary.

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, while at the same time making sound decisions.

Must have a strong will to drive change and sustain. Proficiency In:

MS Office Suite, Excel, and PP Work Environment:

Maintain harmonious working relations with employees from all departments.

Maintain harmonious working relations with management from all levels.

Communicate effectively with all employees and management.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to use and reach throughout the day; hands, fingers, arms, stand, walk, climb and/or balance approximately.

Ability to see, hear and talk.

Ability to work in light to moderate noise levels.

Ability to work across multiple shifts

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree preferred but work equivalent work experience will be accepted.

2 (two) - 3 (three) years' experience in the Continuous Improvement

1 (one) - 2 (two) years' in a manufacturing environment, preferred

Maker's Pride is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Geneva, 1800 Averill Rd, Geneva, Illinois, United States of America