Operational Excellent/CI Leader

Midland Manufacturing; Skokie (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Tuition assistance

Employee discounts

Job summary

Midland Manufacturing is seeking a Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager to lead initiatives across manufacturing and support processes, driving lean principles and data-driven improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost. This hands-on role emphasizes facilitation and execution and requires building capability across the organization.

You will partner with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and Finance to identify opportunities, run Kaizen events, develop dashboards, and track

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of manufacturing experience with demonstrated continuous improvement leadership.
• Experience with project management tools and performance tracking systems.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Project required.

Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, and execute CI strategy aligned with business objectives with leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Identify, prioritize, and manage CI projects delivering measurable impact on safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping, root cause analyses, and structured improvement activities.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Sales and Finance to analyze processes and implement solutions.
• Establish and monitor KPIs and dashboards; drive Daily Visual Management and report progress to site leadership.
• Lead training sessions to build site-wide capability in Lean and Six Sigma principles.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Operations/Business

Tools

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager will lead initiatives to drive a culture of continuous improvement and operational discipline across all manufacturing and support processes. This role partners with cross-functional teams leading strategic process improvement initiatives that enhance Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost performance. This position will champion lean principles and structured problem-solving techniques ensuring alignment between site-level improvement initiatives and broader regional operational excellence strategy. This is a highly visible role that relies on leadership and influence rather than direct supervisory responsibility. The role requires a hands-on leader who can both facilitate and execute improvement projects while building capability within the organization. The ideal candidate is passionate about transforming processes, optimizing operations, and using data-driven insights to deliver measurable results.

What You’ll Do

• Develop, lead, and execute the continuous improvement strategy in alignment with business objectives, working closely with leadership and cross-functional teams. Ensure strategies are aligned with operational and regional objectives
• Identify, prioritize, and manage continuous improvement projects that deliver measurable results in operational impact to safety, quality, delivery, and cost while removing barriers to improve process flow
• Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping, root cause analyses, and other structured improvement activities to achieve targeted outcomes
• Partners with all departments including Operations, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Sales and Finance to analyze processes, identify improvement opportunities, and implement sustainable solutions
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress of continuous improvement activities and communicate results and recommendations to site leadership. Being a driver for Daily Visual Management
• Monitor and improve key operational metrics that are linked to business goal results. Demonstrate results through performance measurement and analysis
• Develop dashboards and performance tracking mechanisms to monitor site improvement progress and provide status updates on CI initiatives and activities
• Lead training sessions and workshops to build site-wide capability in Lean and Six Sigma principles, driving engagement and accountability for continuous improvement at all levels
• Serve as subject matter expert in Lean manufacturing principles and structured problem-solving methodologies
• Influence leaders and frontline employees to adopt continuous improvement principles to drive a culture of accountability, data-driven decision making, and waste elimination
• Lead cross-functional improvement projects from concept through implementation and sustainment. Develop project charters, timelines, and measurable success criteria
• Partner with Regional Operational Excellence leaders to deploy standardized tools, systems, and best practices
• Conduct regular reviews and recommend updates and revisions to standard operating procedures, work instructions, and training materials to reflect process improvements
• Support digital transformation and process automation initiatives where applicable
• Ensure compliance with all quality regulations, standards and corporate policies including but not limited to ISO 9001:2015 and AAR M-1003 for assigned department
• Other duties as assigned

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of manufacturing experience with demonstrated continuous improvement leadership
• Experience with project management tools and performance tracking systems
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Project required

The Ideal Candidate Will Also Bring

• Demonstrated success implementing Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in a manufacturing environment
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills with the ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, and develop actionable solutions
• Proven ability to influence without authority and lead cross-functional teams to deliver results in a matrixed manufacturing environment.
• Ability to manage multiple changing priorities, set clear objectives, and drive accountability to meet deadlines and deliver measurable improvements while maintaining a strategic perspective
• Excellent facilitation, coaching and communication skills with the ability to engage and motivate teams at all levels of the organization and external partners
• Knowledge and experience with leading Lean Process Improvements
• Lean certification (Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent) preferred
• Demonstrated business acumen, communication skills, and relationship management
• Hands on work ethic with results focus is required

Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions

• This position is performed in an office environment but will have regular exposure to the manufacturing and warehouse environment. May be exposed to loud operating machinery, cold temperatures, chemicals, and vapors
• May require a combination of sitting, standing, and walking
• May require use of Personal computer, copy machine, other office equipment
• General office environment requiring extended periods of sitting in ambient inside temperature, lighting and noise level
• Must be able to sit, walk, stand reach with hand and arms, stoop, kneel, bend and twist, grasp and manipulate with hands and fingers as needed
• Lifting generally less than 5lbs. May occasionally be required to lift up to 25lbs without assistance

Benefits

Benefits: Benefits for this position include: a 401(k) savings plan with employer contributions; medical, dental and vision insurance; wellness programs; health savings account, health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts; company paid short-term disability and long-term disability; company paid employee basic life and AD&D insurance; supplemental employee and dependent life insurance; optional accident, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance; adoption, surrogacy, and fertility benefits and assistance; commuter benefits; parental, military, jury duty, and bereavement leaves of absence; paid time off, including 10 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation days beginning at 120 hours annually; 40 paid sick leave hours annually or as provided under state and local paid sick leave laws; tuition assistance is available; business travel services; employee discounts; and an employee assistance program that includes company paid counseling sessions and legal services. Eligibility for benefits is governed by applicable plan documents and policies. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or any other factors prohibited by law.