Lean CI Manager - Kaizen Leader Driving Throughput

Maker’s Pride, LLC; Carol Stream, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental benefits

401(k) plan

Wellness program

Job summary

Maker's Pride is seeking a CI Manager to drive sustainable process improvements in a Carol Stream facility. You will lead week-long Kaizen events, coach facilitators, and develop action plans across departments while applying Lean tools and SAP to improve throughput and cost savings.

The role requires hands-on leadership, the ability to influence without authority, and a strong problem-solving mindset, with a focus on safety, quality, delivery, and morale.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred but work equivalent experience accepted.
• 2–3 years in Continuous Improvement and 1–2 years in manufacturing preferred.
• Sponsorship for work authorization is not available.

Responsibilities

• Leads, facilitates, and coaches Kaizen events to drive improvements.
• Develops and executes improvement action plans across the site.
• Uses SAP tools to understand plant needs and drives cost savings.
• Coaches RCA and Lean change throughout the facility to improve throughput.
• Works with customers, suppliers, and all management levels to manage projects.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Leadership

Problem solving

Change management

Autonomy

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP

HPS tools

MS Office Suite

Excel

PowerPoint (PP)

Job description

Maker's Pride is seeking a CI Manager to drive sustainable process improvements in a Carol Stream facility. You will lead week-long Kaizen events, coach facilitators, and develop action plans across departments while applying Lean tools and SAP to improve throughput and cost savings.

The role requires hands-on leadership, the ability to influence without authority, and a strong problem-solving mindset, with a focus on safety, quality, delivery, and morale.