Manager, Event Operations & Technology

Grainger; Lake Forest (IL); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

PTO and holidays

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Employee discounts

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Grainger is seeking a Manager, Process Optimization (Event Operations & Technology) in Lake Forest for a hybrid role onsite 3 days a week with remote options for out-of-state members. You will own event processes and platforms, drive governance and continuous improvement, and lead a team to optimize operations and reporting.

A strong background in data analytics and cross-functional collaboration is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent.
• 5+ years in process optimization or operations.
• Experience leading and developing teams.

Responsibilities

• Own assigned event processes and platforms, oversee configuration, data management, security, and access with tech teams.
• Establish governance, workflows, playbooks, training resources, and user docs for adoption and compliance.
• Drive improvement through performance analysis, automation, and enhanced event planning tools.
• Define data, integration, reporting requirements with Analytics/Tech teams and assess business impact.
• Develop dashboards and reports using KPIs and ROI to inform leadership decisions.
• Lead and develop the Event Operations & Technology team and manage workloads.
• Maintain centralized repository of event processes, templates, and tools.
• Provide oversight for event workstreams including registration, housing, websites, and vendor management.

Skills

Process optimization

Team leadership

Data analysis

Cross-functional coordination

Performance analytics

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Information Systems, Marketing or related field

Tools

Event management platforms

Job description

Work Location Type: Hybrid

Req Number 335191

About Grainger

W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a leading broad line distributor with operations primarily in North America and Japan. At Grainger, We Keep the World Workingby serving more than4.6 million customersworldwide with maintenance, repair andoperating(MRO) products and value-added solutions delivered through innovative technology and deep customerexpertise. Known for its commitment to service and purpose-driven culture, the Company reported2025 revenue of$17.9 billion. For more information, visitwww.grainger.com.

Compensation

The anticipated base pay compensation range for this position is $95,000.00- $158,400.00. This role is eligible for an incentive target of up to 15% or $, based on the achievement of individual and company performance objectives in accordance with the current terms of the incentive program which are subject to change.

Rewards and Benefits

With benefits starting on day one, our programs provide choice and flexibility to meet team members' individual needs, including:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment and 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist to support your emotional wellbeing.
• 18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees (accrual prorated based on employment start date) and 6 company holidays per year.
• 6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
• Employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
• Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents.

For additional information and details regarding Grainger's benefits, please click on the link below:

https://experience100.ehr.com/grainger/Home/Tools-Resources/Key-Resources/New-Hire

Grainger Benefits

The pay range provided above is not a guarantee of compensation. The range reflects the potential base pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual base pay compensation will depend, in part, on factors such as geographic work location and relevant experience and skills.

The anticipated compensation range described above is subject to change and the compensation ultimately paid may be higher or lower than the range described above.

Grainger reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion at any time, consistent with applicable law.

Position Details

The Manager, Process Optimization (Event Operations & Technology) is responsible for using data-driven, fact-based analysis to deliver process improvement results and achieve project objectives that improve cost, customer satisfaction, stakeholder experience, and functional value across the event operations lifecycle. The role maximizes the effectiveness and financial return of assigned event processes, technology platforms, and performance analytics. The position governs and continuously improves the assigned event operations and technology ecosystem while establishing a disciplined framework for measuring program impact and return on investment.

This is a hybrid position that is onsite in Lake Forest 3 days a week. It can also be remote based for out of state team members.

You Will

• Serve as the primary business owner for assigned event process and technology platforms, overseeing configuration, deployment, data management, security, user access, and operational readiness in partnership with technology teams.
• Establish and maintain process and system governance, scalable event processes, workflows, playbooks, training resources, and user documentation to drive adoption, compliance, and consistent practices across supported event teams and stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement through performance analysis, process optimization, automation, and enhancement of event planning, reporting, and operational tools in collaboration with functional and technology teams.
• Partner with Analytics, Automation, Technology, and functional teams to define event data, integration, technology, and reporting requirements, understand upstream and downstream event operational processes, and evaluate business impacts that support event program objectives.
• Develop analyses, dashboards, and reporting solutions that use key performance indicators and return-on-investment measures to assess event program performance, identify event operational risks and opportunities, and provide actionable recommendations to event stakeholders and senior leadership that inform business decisions.
• Lead and develop the Event Operations & Technology team by setting expectations, providing feedback, allocating work, and maintaining a collaborative structure aligned to departmental objectives and operational priorities.
• Maintain a centralized repository of event processes, best practices, templates, and tools.
• Provide operational oversight for assigned event workstreams, including registration, sourcing and housing, event websites, and vendor management for larger Grainger events.

You Have

• Bachelors degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Information Systems, Marketing or other related field
• 5+ years experience in process optimization, operations, technology enablement, data analysis, or related work
• Experience leading and developing teams by setting expectations, providing feedback, allocating work, and maintaining a collaborative structure
• Experience managing multiple event operations and technology projects simultaneously, including timelines, budgets, and cross-functional coordination, while adapting to changing priorities
• Experience building relationships with internal event stakeholders and external event vendors while negotiating terms and addressing contractual and operational risks
• Experience implementing and optimizing event management and registration platforms, defining user and data requirements, and managing operational readiness, integrations, security, and continuous improvement after implementation
• Experience using event data and metrics to measure program performance, guide future planning, and present proposals and post-program analyses to senior leadership

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible work environment that includes both providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the application and hiring process as well as throughout the course of one's employment, should you need a reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, including, but not limited to use of our website, any part of the application, interview or hiring process, please advise us so that we can provide appropriate assistance.