Operational Excellence Manager

Maker's Pride; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 97,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

Maker's Pride is hiring an Operational Excellence Manager in Downers Grove, IL to drive continuous improvement initiatives across the organization. This hands‑on leader will partner with site leadership to standardize processes and deliver measurable business results.

Strong Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and problem‑solving skills are essential. The role requires 5+ years in manufacturing or operations, travel up to 70%, and a focus on capability building, coaching, and governance to sustain

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management or related field; manufacturing experience.
• 5+ years in manufacturing, engineering or operations roles.
• Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt preferred.
• Experience with TPM and daily management systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead deployment of continuous improvement programs (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM).
• Develop action plans to close process gaps and drive productivity.
• Coach leaders and frontline teams on new ways of working.
• Establish KPIs and visual management to track progress.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Maintenance and Supply Chain.
• Foster accountability and sustain momentum through governance.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Change leadership

Data analysis

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Facilitation

Kaizen events

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Operations

Tools

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Summary

The Operational Excellence Manager is responsible for driving the successful implementation of operational excellence initiatives across the organization. This role partners closely with site leadership and cross-functional teams to identify productivity improvements ideas through embed continuous improvement principles, standardize processes, and sustain performance gains. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on leader who can influence change, build capability, and deliver measurable business results. This position requires strong technical Lean Manufacturing, Operational, Engineering, and hands‑on leadership skills.

Job Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

Drive Operational Excellence Initiatives

• Lead deployment of continuous improvement programs (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, etc.)
• Support implementation of tiered management systems, daily management, and performance routines.
• Identify gaps in current processes and develop action plans to close them.

Change Leadership & Adoption

• Act as a change champion, ensuring alignment and buy-in across all levels of the organization.
• Develop and execute change management plans, including communication and engagement strategies.
• Coach leaders and frontline teams on new ways of working.

Capability Building

• Train and mentor teams on operational excellence tools and methodologies
• Build internal capability to sustain improvements (problem solving, root cause analysis, standard work)
• Facilitate workshops, kaizen events, and training sessions.

Performance Management

• Establish KPIs and visual management systems to track progress.
• Monitor and report on implementation success, including productivity, quality, safety, and cost metrics.
• Drive accountability through structured follow‑ups and governance routines.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain teams
• Support alignment between site-level initiatives and broader organizational strategy.
• Share best practices across sites to accelerate adoption.

Continuous Improvement Culture

• Foster a culture of accountability, discipline, and continuous improvement.
• Reinforce behaviors aligned with operational excellence principles.
• Recognize and promote successes to sustain momentum.

Travel - must be willing to travel 70%+ Proficiency in MS Office Suite, Excel, and PowerPoint

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience in a manufacturing environment
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, Engineering or operations roles
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt) preferred
• Experience with TPM, Daily Management Systems, and Tiered Accountability structures preferred
• Proven experience leading change initiatives and driving measurable improvements
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement tools
• Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and lead through change
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and coaching skills
• Data-driven mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to work in fast-paced, dynamic environments

The pay range for this full-time, salaried position is $97,210-$145,814/year. Individual base pay depends on work location and additional factors such as experience, job‑related skills, and relevant education or training. The position is eligible for a discretionary annual incentive based on company and individual performance. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, 401k and wellness benefits beginning on the first day of employment.

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