Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager

Eaton Group; Highland (IL); On-site; USD 113,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Eaton's ES GEIS BLD division seeks a Continuous Improvement Manager to lead onsite lean transformation at our Highland, IL facility. This role drives Operational Excellence, deploys EBS tools, and champions a culture of continuous improvement through Kaizens, standard work, and daily accountability.

You will mentor teams, oversee BOS meetings, and align with Profit Plan objectives to elevate productivity and quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of five years of operations or continuous improvement experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Eaton will not sponsor immigration for this position.

Responsibilities

• Lead Lean transformation by driving process improvements, waste reduction, and accountability.
• Develop employees’ problem‑solving capabilities through Kaizen events, training, and 5S initiatives.
• Lead and facilitate BOS meetings and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the site.
• Drive OpEx strategic vision and oversee EBS tools implementation and utilization.
• Support leadership with Kaizens, problem solving, and EBS adherence.
• Ensure safe work environment and align with EHS goals.

Skills

Lean methodology

Kaizen events

Cross-functional leadership

VSM/5S/TPM

Maintenance leadership

Negotiation

Problem solving coaching

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MS or MBA

Tools

EBS Tools

Job description

Eaton’s ES GEIS BLD division is currently seeking a Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager. This role is onsite at our Highland, IL facility. Relocation is provided within the United States.

The expected annual salary range for this role is $113000 - $165000 a year. Please note the salary information shown is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

What you’ll do:

The CI Manager leads the organization’s lean transformation by driving process improvements that reduce waste, improve material flow, and strengthen operational accountability. This role develops employees’ problem‑solving capabilities through training, coaching, Kaizen events, and 5S initiatives using the Learn-Do-Teach approach. Key responsibilities include value stream mapping, future‑state design, KPI tracking, and facilitating transformation reviews to ensure progress toward operational goals. As a member of the leadership team, the CI Manager champions lean principles, influences peers, manages Eaton’s Operational Excellence Program (OpA), and deploys goals through tiered accountability systems to build a culture of continuous improvement and organizational problem‑solving.

• Drive the Operational Excellence (OPEX) strategic vision and roadmaps for the Highland, IL facility
• Provide expertise for Eaton Business System (EBS) tools and training including, EBS Pull, OpA, EBS Assessment, and other tools
• Lead and facilitate Business Operation System (BOS) meetings and agenda to drive continuous improvement
• Drive Cost‑Out accountability for the site in alignment with the site’s annual Profit Plan objectives
• Provide support & guidance to the Highland leadership team with Kaizens, problem solving, and ensuring EBS adherence
• Lead the Eaton Continuous Improvement Framework (CIF) deployment (visual controls, process standardization, leader standard work, Gemba walks, manning strategy, daily accountability, process checks and CI for everyone)
• Build ELSS organizational capability and develop local ELSS/CI Tool Champions by providing training and consulting support
• Lead the development and implementation of a plant‑wide training plan
• Monitor productivity to ensure that established shift quality and production levels are maintained or exceeded
• Supervise and lead the Maintenance team, which includes performance management, organizational planning, time and attendance management, over‑time planning, and general daily work planning.
• Ensure maintenance of records and reports on productivity, quality, and attendance across the shift
• Ensure a safe work environment for all employees, in collaboration with the EHS Manager; Drive and support behavioral based zero incident safety culture

Qualifications:

Basic (Required) Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in operations and/or continuous improvement in a manufacturing environment.
• Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1, H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, 1‑485 job profitability, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Technical degree or MS or MBA degree.
• Two (2) years of leadership/supervisory experience.
• Six Sigma Black Belt.

Skills:

Position Criteria:

• Experienced lean professional.
• Experience deploying lean techniques and continuous improvement in a manufacturing and distribution environment.
• Experience leading Kaizens & use of basic lean tools such as standard work, TPM, VSM, 5S.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams.
• Track record of driving continuous improvements through sustainable processes.
• Ability to negotiate with all levels of management, both internally and externally.
• Ability to lead a technical team of Maintenance employees.

All positions may require participation in video and in‑person interviews as part of the hiring process. All candidates will be evaluated based on job‑related competencies, and all candidates’ privacy rights and data security will be protected in accordance with applicable laws.

We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job‑related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Eaton believes in second chance employment. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistent with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and other local laws.

You do not need to disclose your conviction history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Eaton is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.

To request a disability‑related reasonable accommodation to assist you in your job search, application, or interview process, please call us at 1‑800‑836‑6345 to discuss your specific need. Only accommodation requests will be accepted by this phone number.

We know that good benefit programs are important to employees and their families. Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work.

Please note that specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.