Senior Advisor

FTE Factory Advisors; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Factory Advisors is seeking a Senior Advisor to partner with manufacturing and industrial leaders, delivering actionable improvements on client sites across the US. The role blends strategic advisory with hands-on problem solving, often requiring on-site engagement and travel up to 90%.

You will develop deep expertise, collaborate in small teams with client leaders, guide organizational change, and help design sustainable processes that drive measurable bottom-line results.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in relevant operational, manufacturing, or industrial leadership roles.
• Experience driving operational excellence, cost efficiency, and team performance.
• Strong communication, adaptability, and problem-solving in challenging environments.
• Independent consultant mindset, able to operate via LLC or S‑Corp.
• Willingness to travel up to 90% and work on-site with client teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop specialized knowledge and apply it to complex client projects.
• Collaborate in small teams to design strategies, capabilities, systems, and processes with measurable results.
• Serve as a trusted advisor, guiding client departments through organizational change.
• Lead and support engagements from planning through execution with client outcomes in focus.
• Analyze on-site operations to identify and implement improvements.
• Develop solutions and best practices to enhance performance.
• Create high-impact deliverables: project plans, cost-benefit analyses, reports, and presentations.
• Support business development with proposals, pricing models, and client research.
• Coach client teams to adopt new industry approaches for lasting results.
• Anticipate risks and craft proactive solutions to keep initiatives on track.

Skills

Operations Leadership

Supply Chain

Quality Management

Project Management

Change Management

Process Improvement

Leadership Development

Strategic Thinking

Industrial Engineering

Team Collaboration

AI in Manufacturing

Job description

Senior Advisor - LLC/S-Corp position - up to 90% travel US-based

At Factory Advisors, we partner with manufacturing and industrial leaders to solve complex operational challenges, delivering measurable results and lasting impact. As a Senior Advisor within our Global Advisory Network, you'll work directly with clients to streamline processes, improve performance, and create sustainable change—often on-site where the action happens.

Senior Advisor - LLC/S-Corp position - up to 90% travel US-based

At Factory Advisors, we partner with manufacturing and industrial leaders to solve complex operational challenges, delivering measurable results and lasting impact. As a Senior Advisor within our Global Advisory Network, you'll work directly with clients to streamline processes, improve performance, and create sustainable change—often on-site where the action happens.

About Us

Factory Advisors is an operational consulting firm that delivers integrated business solutions to help clients achieve stronger results, faster. We work side‑by‑side with client teams, combining deep industry knowledge with hands‑on execution. OurGlobal Advisory Networkbrings together independent experts across multiple disciplines, creating a collaborative powerhouse of knowledge, experience, and capability.

The Opportunity

As aSr. Advisor, you will serve as both a strategic partner and a tactical problem‑solver for our clients. You'll operate as an independent contractor (LLC or S-Corp) within our network, enjoying the flexibility of consulting while benefiting from the credibility and reach of the Factory Advisors brand.

Disciplines We Seek

We are actively building our network ofSenior Advisors across a broad range of expertise, including:

• Operations Management
• Purchasing & Sourcing
• Supply Chain Management
• Quality Management
• Lean Manufacturing / Continuous Improvement
• Technical Engineering
• Maintenance & Reliability
• Leadership Development & Organizational Change
• Process Improvement
• Production Planning & Scheduling
• Industrial Engineering
• Project Management
• Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS)
• Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing - including AI-driven process optimization, predictive maintenance, machine vision, and data analytics for improved decision-making

If your discipline is not listed here but aligns with operational, technological, and manufacturing excellence, we still want to hear from you.

What You'll Do

• Develop Specialized Knowledge- Build deep expertise in your discipline and apply it to manage complex components of FTE client projects
• Collaborate in Small Teams- Work closely with other Sr. Advisors and client leaders to design strategies, capabilities, systems, and processes that deliver measurable, bottom-line results—and ensure those results are sustainable
• Serve as a Trusted Advisor- Partner with client department managers to implement improved processes and operations, guiding them through organizational change
• Lead and Support Client Engagements- Contribute to project planning, organization, and execution while maintaining a focus on client outcomes
• Analyze and Improve Operations- Gather, organize, and evaluate case, client, financial, and operational data; observe on-site operations to identify areas for improvement
• Develop Solutions and Best Practices- Recommend alternative methods, process optimizations, and operational enhancements to improve performance
• Create High-Impact Deliverables- Produce project plans, cost-benefit analyses, written reports, and presentations that clearly communicate recommendations and progress
• Support Business Development- Contribute to new proposals, pricing models, and client research to expand engagement opportunities
• Coach and Mentor- Guide client teams in implementing new industry approaches, empowering them to achieve sustainable, lasting results
• Anticipate and Manage Risks- Identify potential project risks early, communicate them effectively, and develop proactive solutions to keep initiatives on track

Requirements

What We're Looking For

Minimum Experience Required:

• Experience:15+ years in relevant operational, manufacturing, or industrial leadership roles
• Expertise:Proven track record in driving operational excellence, cost efficiency, and team performance
• Soft Skills:Strong communicator, adaptable problem-solver, and active listener who thrives in challenging environments
• Mindset:Self-starter who works independently while building collaborative relationships with clients and peers
• Structure:Ability to operate as an independent consultant via LLC or S‑Corp

Desired Experience but not required:

• Experience Leading and Implementing Lean and/or Six Sigma methodologies
• Experience leading cross-functional teams
• Direct experience as an internal or external consultant

Key Attributes:

• Ability to work independently and adapt quickly to project needs
• Thrives in challenging manufacturing environments
• Enjoys travel and is most at home working in challenging industrial environments
• Demonstrates Active listening skills: seeking first to understand and then to be understood

• Is capable of coaching others to use their knowledge and skills to overcome challenges

Benefits

Why Join the Global Advisory Network?

• Impact:See your work translate into real results—fast
• Flexibility:Choose the projects and timelines that fit your business and lifestyle
• Collaboration:Work alongside a diverse, high-caliber group of professionals who share your passion for excellence
• Credibility:Leverage the strength and reach of the Factory Advisors brand while maintaining your independence