Operational Director – Continuous Improvement

Elkay Plumbing Products Co.; Freeport (IL); On-site; USD 154,406 - 212,308; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Matching 401(k) Contribution

Vacation up to 3 weeks

12 Paid Holidays

Annual Bonus Eligibility

Educational Reimbursement

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Elkay Plumbing Products Co. is seeking an Operational Director – Continuous Improvement for its Freeport manufacturing plant. This role involves leading initiatives to drive operational excellence through Lean methodologies and enhancing team engagement.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering and 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, including proven success in implementing Lean processes. Comprehensive benefits and competitive salary are offered.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Proven track record of implementing Lean methodologies.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and production planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational excellence initiatives across the manufacturing plant.
• Develop and execute a continuous improvement roadmap.
• Champion a culture of operational excellence through coaching and mentoring.

Skills

Lean methodologies

Manufacturing operations leadership

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher)

Job description

Operational Director – Continuous Improvement

Reporting to the VP – Continuous Improvement, the Operational Director – Continuous Improvement will lead operational excellence initiatives across Zurn Elkay Water Solutions’ Drinking Water Lanark manufacturing plant. This role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on implementation of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies to drive performance in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and associate engagement. The ideal candidate will have deep experience in manufacturing operations leadership and a proven track record of embedding a culture of continuous improvement and sustainable results.

Key Focus Areas

• Develop and execute a site‑wide continuous improvement roadmap, integrating Lean principles and methodologies (e.g., Kaizen, VDM, 5S, TPM, SMED) into all levels of the organization.
• Partner closely with the Plant Manager and functional leaders to align daily execution with strategic business goals.
• Champion a culture of operational excellence through coaching, training, and mentoring of leaders and associates on Lean tools, problem‑solving, and waste elimination.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Maintenance teams to improve production flow, increase equipment uptime, and optimize resource utilization.
• Lead major improvement initiatives and capital projects aimed at improving manufacturing efficiency, process standardization, and operational reliability.
• Serve as a key member of the Drinking Water Operations leadership team, sharing best practices and standardizing processes across multiple manufacturing sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a continuous improvement or operational excellence capacity.
• Proven track record implementing Lean methodologies and driving measurable operational improvement.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production planning, and plant performance systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, engage teams, and drive cultural change.
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher) preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary: $154,406 - $212,308.

Benefits include Competitive Salary, Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance, Matching 401(k) Contribution, Health Savings Account, Up to 3 weeks starting Vacation (may increase with tenure), 12 Paid Holidays, Annual Bonus Eligibility, Educational Reimbursement, Matching Gift Program, Employee Stock Purchase Plan – purchase company stock at a discount.

THIRD PARTY AGENCY: Any unsolicited submissions received from recruitment agencies will be considered property of Zurn Elkay, and we will not be liable for any fees or obligations related to those submissions.

Equal Opportunity Employer – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation