Director, 5S & Workplace Organization

Wheatland Tube, LLC; Rochelle (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Zekelman Industries is seeking a Director, 5S & Workplace Organization to lead an enterprise-wide 5S program across our steel pipe and tube manufacturing operations. You will develop standards, governance, training, auditing, and an implementation roadmap across multiple facilities, driving safety, productivity, and employee engagement.

The role requires hands-on leadership, extensive change management, and the ability to influence across levels without direct reporting authority, with travel

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• 10+ years in manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Proven 5S program design and implementation in complex settings.
• Strong Lean principles knowledge.
• Ability to influence leaders and drive results without direct authority.
• Willingness to travel across North America.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise 5S strategy and governance across facilities.
• Develop standards for workplace organization and visual management.
• Create and manage 5S audit programs and KPI dashboards.
• Design training programs and certification pathways for leaders.
• Collaborate with Operations, Safety, Quality, Engineering and HR to embed 5S.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Operational excellence

Change leadership

Influencing without authority

Facilitation & coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Operations Management/Industrial Technology

Tools

Visual management systems

5S auditing tools

Job description

You may not know our name, but you know our products. What we make is part the places where we live, work and play – all day, everyday.Zekelman is a family of companies — 100% domestic manufacturers — with a legacy dating back to 1877. We’re proud to be the largest independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America and the leading innovator in multi-family housing development.We believe in what we build and what we build, builds the world around us. Hospitals, hotels, schools, bridges, airports and more.Come build a career you believe in.About The Role:At Zekelman Industries, we believe operational excellence starts with an organized, disciplined, and highly visual workplace. We are seeking a strategic and influential Director, 5S & Workplace Organization to lead the development and deployment of an enterprise-wide 5S program across our steel pipe and tube manufacturing operations.This is a unique Director-level individual contributor opportunity for a proven manufacturing and continuous improvement leader who is passionate about creating sustainable systems that drive safety, productivity, quality, equipment reliability, and employee engagement. As the organization’s recognized subject matter expert, you will build and lead the strategy, standards, governance, training, auditing, and implementation roadmap for a best-in-class 5S operating system across multiple facilities.The ideal candidate is a hands-on change leader who thrives in industrial manufacturing environments and can influence teams at all levels without direct reporting authority.What You'll DoEnterprise 5S LeadershipDevelop and execute a comprehensive enterprise-wide 5S strategy aligned with operational excellence objectives.Establish company-wide standards, governance structures, audit methodologies, and maturity models.Serve as the corporate owner of all 5S tools, documentation, training programs, and implementation processes.Build and execute a multi-year roadmap that advances workplace organization capabilities across all facilities.Drive Implementation Across the NetworkPartner with plant leadership teams to implement and sustain 5S initiatives throughout manufacturing, maintenance, warehousing, shipping, receiving, laboratory, and office environments.Facilitate kaizen events, improvement workshops, and workplace organization initiatives.Coach leaders and frontline teams on 5S principles, visual management, and sustainable operating behaviors.Conduct site assessments, audits, and reviews that ensure continued progress and accountability.Establish Standardization & Visual Management ExcellenceDevelop enterprise standards for: Workplace organization Visual controls Material staging Tool management Storage systems Equipment ownership Area accountability Performance boards Floor marking and visual identification systemsCreate scalable visual workplace practices that improve communication, safety awareness, productivity, and operational discipline.Identify and share best practices across multiple facilities.Lead Auditing & Continuous ImprovementDesign and manage a formal 5S audit program.Develop KPI dashboards, scorecards, and reporting systems to track performance and maturity progression.Monitor implementation progress and drive corrective actions where needed.Benchmark performance and identify opportunities to accelerate adoption and excellence.Shape Culture & Drive ChangeAct as the primary champion for workplace ownership and organizational discipline across the company.Create training programs and certification pathways for leaders and frontline associates.Embed 5S principles into daily management systems and standard operating routines.Recognize and celebrate successes while promoting a culture of continuous improvement.Collaborate Across FunctionsWork closely with Operations, Plant Leadership, Safety, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, HR, and Supply Chain teams to ensure 5S initiatives support broader business objectives, including:Safety improvementReliability enhancementProductivity growthQuality excellenceCost reductionEmployee engagementWhat Success Looks LikeIn this role, you will help drive:Enterprise-wide adoption of 5S standards and practicesHigher facility audit scores and maturity levelsImproved workplace organization and visual management consistencyReduced operational waste and inefficienciesImproved housekeeping and safety performanceEnhanced productivity and workflow effectivenessStronger employee ownership and engagementSustainable integration of 5S into daily operationsWhat We're Looking ForRequired QualificationsBachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, or a related field.10+ years of experience in manufacturing, operational excellence, lean manufacturing, industrial engineering, or continuous improvement.Demonstrated success designing and implementing formal 5S programs in complex manufacturing environments.Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and methodologies.Experience leading large-scale operational change initiatives.Proven ability to influence leaders and drive results without direct authority.Excellent facilitation, coaching, communication, and presentation skills.Ability to travel extensively throughout North America.Preferred QualificationsExperience within steel manufacturing, metals, pipe and tube, automotive, heavy industrial, or related manufacturing environments.Lean Practitioner, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or similar certification.Experience building enterprise operating systems and governance structures.Experience implementing visual factory or visual workplace programs across multiple facilities.Leadership CompetenciesThe successful candidate will demonstrate:Operational ExcellenceStrategic ThinkingChange LeadershipInfluencing Without AuthorityCoaching and DevelopmentContinuous Improvement MindsetData-Driven Decision MakingExecutive CommunicationAccountability and ExecutionCross-Functional CollaborationCompensation for this role is $140,000 - $180,000 plus bonusZekelman Industries offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits, including low-cost, high-quality medical and dental benefits. In addition, we have an amazing tuition assistance program, a bonus plan, a 401(k) plan with a generous company match, immediate vesting, and much more.M/F/D/VWe are Zekelman Industries.We manufacture superior quality tubular and related products, and provide outstanding service for our valued customers.We seek to continuously advance the skills and opportunities of our employees, utilizing the latest technology and management tools available to consistently increase profitability and the enterprise value of Zekelman Industries and of our customers.