Senior Advisor - Digital Manufacturing & Transformation

FTE Factory Advisors; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 160,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Factory Advisors seeks a Senior Advisor to partner with manufacturing leaders, driving operational and digital transformations on-site as an independent contractor (LLC or S-Corp). You will guide initiatives across MES, automation, and analytics, delivering measurable improvements and working with client teams.

The role combines strategic advisory with hands-on execution, requiring travel and plant-floor engagement.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, industrial operations, engineering, digital manufacturing, automation, supply chain, quality, or related disciplines.
• Proven track record leading operational improvements and large-scale manufacturing transformations.
• Experience implementing measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and cost.
• Ability to operate independently as a consultant through an LLC or S-Corp.

Responsibilities

• Lead Operational and Digital Transformation - Partner with manufacturing organizations to improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost through operational excellence and digital manufacturing initiatives.
• Develop Specialized Expertise - Apply deep functional knowledge to solve complex manufacturing, operational, and technology challenges across client engagements.
• Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams - Work alongside Factory Advisors consultants and client leadership to design, implement, and sustain business, operational, and digital solutions.
• Serve as a Trusted Advisor - Coach executives, plant managers, and functional leaders through operational improvements, organizational change, and technology adoption.
• Drive Manufacturing Performance - Analyze production systems, manufacturing processes, data, KPIs, and operational workflows to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Implement Digital Manufacturing Solutions - Support the deployment and optimization of MES, manufacturing systems, automation, AI-enabled tools, industrial data platforms, and other Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Develop Sustainable Solutions - Design and implement practical operating systems, management routines, digital workflows, and best practices that improve long-term business performance.
• Create Executive-Level Deliverables - Develop project plans, business cases, implementation roadmaps, dashboards, cost-benefit analyses, reports, and executive presentations.
• Support Business Development - Contribute technical expertise to client proposals, solution development, assessments, and discovery activities.
• Coach and Develop Client Teams - Build client capability through mentoring, training, leadership coaching, and knowledge transfer.
• Manage Risk and Drive Execution - Identify project risks, remove barriers, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and ensure successful project outcomes

Skills

Digital Manufacturing

MES/MOM

Industrial Automation

OT/IIoT

Data Analytics

Executive Stakeholder Management

Job description

Factory Advisors seeks a Senior Advisor to partner with manufacturing leaders, driving operational and digital transformations on-site as an independent contractor (LLC or S-Corp). You will guide initiatives across MES, automation, and analytics, delivering measurable improvements and working with client teams.

The role combines strategic advisory with hands-on execution, requiring travel and plant-floor engagement.