Process Improvement Manager

Cook County Health; Illinois; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage

Pension Plan

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Cook County Health in Chicago's Stroger Hospital seeks a Process Improvement Manager to lead cross-functional nursing and operations teams, identifying opportunities, developing best practices, and driving continuous improvement from concept to implementation.

You will mentor staff, collaborate with labor relations, and measure performance with clear metrics to reduce waste and boost efficiency across the enterprise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; transcripts provided at interview.
• Five years of process improvement, operations, or business management experience.
• Experience leading change management initiatives.
• Lean principles and Six Sigma knowledge required.
• Root cause analysis and remediation experience.

Responsibilities

• Plans, manages, and executes process improvement initiatives.
• Coaches teams to build a culture of continuous improvement.
• Engages stakeholders to develop action plans and metrics.
• Researches and implements industry best practices for improvement.
• Develops metrics to track performance and outcomes.
• Gathers data and presents recommendations to senior leadership.

Skills

Process improvement

Lean Six Sigma

Change management

Root cause analysis

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Six Sigma Black Belt (certified)

Project Management Certification (PMP or equivalent)

Job description

DEPARTMENT / LOCATION: Quality Assurance / Stroger Hospital

SHIFT: 8AM - 4PM

Job Summary

The Process Improvement Manager oversees and directs process improvement for cross-functional nursing teams to achieve business goals, to support the constructive change from an improvement projects conception onward, and to transfer the ownership as the project matures to implementation. This position is responsible for identifying opportunities for improvement, developing, and implementing best practices and continuous improvement initiatives to achieve operational excellence.

General Administrative Responsibilities

Collective Bargaining

• Review applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements and consult with Labor Relations to generate management proposals
• Participate in collective bargaining negotiations, caucus discussions and working meetings

Discipline

• Document, recommend and effectuate discipline at all levels
• Work closely with labor relations and/or labor counsel to effectuate and enforce applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Initiate, authorize and complete disciplinary action pursuant to CCH system rules, policies, procedures and provision of applicable collective bargaining agreements

Supervision

• Direct and effectuate CCH management policies and practices
• Access and proficiently navigate CCH records system to obtain and review information necessary to execute provisions of applicable collective bargaining agreements

Management

• Contribute to the management of CCH staff and CCH’ systemic development and success
• Discuss and develop CCH system policies and procedures
• Consistently use independent judgment to identify operational staffing issues and needs and perform the following functions as necessary; hire, transfer, suspend, layoff, recall, promote, discharge, assign, direct or discipline employees pursuant to applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Work with Labor Relations to discern past practice when necessary

TYPICAL DUTIES

• Plans, manages, and executes process improvement initiatives.
• Serves as an advisor and coach throughout CCH to build a culture of improvement.
• Engages stakeholders in developing and executing action plans, apply improvement tools and techniques in a collaborative group setting, execute educational initiatives, and build sustainable processes.
• Researches, analyzes, develops, and implements industry best practices. Identifies opportunities for improvement.
• Develops metrics to track performance and goal achievement.
• Works with cross-functional team members to understand processes, root causes and outcomes. and provide analysis and preparation of recommendations that will drive greater productivity, reduce waste, or eliminate duplication.
• Develops compelling presentations to influence change and drive engagement
• Identifies and develops plans to improve performance to be incorporated enterprise wide.
• Organizes and facilitates meetings to share ideas, discuss opportunities, provide guidance, lead process changes and coordinate with the IT organization at the appropriate stage
• Gathers benchmarking data and create/update metrics & audit processes to ensure established goals are met and process improvements are sustained.
• Educates and aligns team members to the principles, practices, and philosophy of continuous improvement.
• Collects and presents information and identifying risks to senior leadership for awareness, decisions, and action.
• Evidence of relevant continuing education in performance/process improvement and project management.
• Performs other duties or projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited or university is required (must provide official transcripts at time of interview)
• Five years' experience in process improvement, operations, or business management is required.
• Experience implementing and/or leading change management initiatives is required
• Experience and knowledge with Lean principles and Six Sigma methodology is required
• Experience and knowledge of root cause analysis and remediation tactics is required

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, process management, or healthcare operations from an accredited college or university is preferred (must provide official transcripts at time of interview)
• Continuous process improvement experience is preferred
• Hospital operations experience is preferred
• Experience in training and coaching is preferred
• Experience in working with senior management and C-level executives on implementation of recommendations is preferred
• Previous work as a Project Manager is preferred
• Project Management Certification is preferred (must provide proof at time of interview)
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification is preferred (must provide proof at time of interview)

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And Other Characteristics

• Thorough knowledge understanding of the latest process enhancement strategies.
• Strong knowledge of performance improvement methodologies (5S, PDSA, A3, SIX SIGMA)
• Knowledge and understanding of root cause analysis and remediation tactics
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills necessary to communicate with all levels of staff and a patient population composed of diverse cultures and age groups
• Demonstrate analytical and organizational, problem-solving, critical thinking, and conflict management/resolution skills
• Demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and precision
• Ability to prioritize, plan, and organize projects and tasks
• Ability to operate in a high-performance environment, demonstrating good judgment and creative/original thinking to address the demands of the business.
• Ability to influence, motivate and provide clear direction.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multicultural work environment.
• Skilled in overseeing multiple projects with budget responsibilities.
• Ability to perform needs assessments.
• Ability to train and mentor all levels of employees and staff in process improvement

Physical and Environmental Demands

This position is functioning within a healthcare environment. The incumbent is responsible for adherence to all hospital and department specific safety requirements. This includes but is not limited to the following policies and procedures: complying with Personal Protective Equipment requirements, hand washing and sanitizing practices, complying with department specific engineering and work practice controls and any other work area safety precautions as specified by hospital wide policy and departmental procedures.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the personnel so classified.

For purposes of the American with Disabilities Act, “Typical Duties” are essential job functions.

VETERAN PREFERENCE

PLEASE READ

When applying for employment with Cook County Health, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service

To Take Advantage Of This Preference a Veteran Must

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, “Are you a Military Veteran?”
• Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable

OR

• A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver’s License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

Benefits Package

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.

• Degrees awarded outside the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States' territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U.S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview.
• Please note all offers of Employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.
• CCH is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.

COOK COUNTY HEALTH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Job Posting

Oct 6, 2026, 9:16:28 AM

Collective Bargaining Unit

NONE

Organization

Health and Hospital Systems