Sr. Manager, Regional CI

Novolex; Lake Forest (IL); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with company match

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible spending and health savings

Paid vacation and sick days

Paid parental leave

Paid holidays and wellness program

Job summary

Novolex is seeking a Senior Manager, Regional Continuous Improvement Manager (RCIM) to drive transformational culture change across multiple plants by deploying Operational Excellence tools, improving processes, and leading effective change management. The RCIM partner with cross-functional leaders to improve performance and sustain measurable results.

This hybrid role is based in the Chicago, IL area, requiring in-office presence 3 days a week.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business, Supply Chain or related field.
• 5+ years’ Continuous Improvement experience in a manufacturing facility.
• Experience leading and facilitating training and kaizen events (VSM, 5S, Standard Work, SMED, TPM, A3, PDCA).
• Demonstrated ability to lead changes across multiple sites or functions.

Responsibilities

• Deploy OPX360 system across facilities to deliver measurable results.
• Lead and coach Kaizen events (VSM, 5S, standard work, SMED, TPM).
• Lead lean exercises and Gemba walks to meet customer commitments.
• Develop value stream maps and establish future state targets.
• Deliver CI training and project execution with cross-functional teams.
• Manage productivity and cost savings projects achieving annual targets.
• Support opportunities for new/existing product design or processes.
• Optimize equipment, workspace, and processes for maximum efficiency.
• Foster CI capability and inclusive workforce; develop junior staff.

Skills

Analytical ability

Leadership

Interpersonal communication

Financial acumen

Travel up to 80%

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business, Supply Chain or related field

Job description

Why Choose Us?

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.

Why Choose Us?

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.

Our Sustainability Commitment

The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.

Job Description

The Sr. ManagerRegional Continuous Improvement Manager (RCIM) drives transformational culture change across multiple plants by deploying Operational Excellence tools, improving processes, and leading effective change management. The RCIM reports to the Director, Continuous Improvement and partners with cross-functional leaders throughout the organization to improve performance, build continuous improvement capability, and sustain measurable results.

This role is accountable for strengthening plant performance across assigned sites by building CI capability, deploying OPX360 standards, coaching leaders and teams, and delivering measurable improvements in safety, quality, service, productivity, and cost.

This is a hybrid role and must be based in the Chicago, IL area and willing to work in the office 3 days a week.

Key Responsibilities

• Deploy the Novolex Operational Excellence (OPX360) system in alignment with business unit strategy and goals, prioritizing initiatives that deliver measurable financial and operational results.
• Implement OPX360 principles, processes, standards, and initiatives across assigned facilities to support cultural and organizational transformation.
• Lead, teach, and coach Kaizen events (i.e., VSMs, 5S, standard work, SMED, and TPM) for cells, processes, or facilities to improve performance
• Lead and participate in recurring lean exercises and cadences such as daily Gemba walks to ensure the assigned facility or facilities meet or exceed customer commitments
• Develop value stream maps to measure current performance and establish future state targets as wastes are eliminated, leading to improved KPI performance
• Deliver hands‑on CI training and project execution to and with all functional areas to drive continuous improvement culture, including admin, operations, and support functions
• Manage and sustain productivity and cost savings projects for the assigned operating unit or facilities, ensuring annual savings targets are achieved and weekly updates are provided.
• May be involved in evaluating opportunities for new or existing product design, materials, and/or manufacturing processes to provide best cost and value add to customers
• May lead or assist in equipment, workspace, and process design optimization to achieve maximum efficiency, providing technical knowledge and training to support lean activities
• Support team development and performance by building CI capability, promoting employee engagement, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce.
• Coach and develop junior CI, process engineering, and other associates at the facility to develop their skill set

Critical Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business, Supply Chain or a related field
• 5 or more years’ Continuous Improvement related experience in a manufacturing facility
• Experience leading and facilitating training and kaizen events to identify and implement improvements (i.e., VSM, 5S, Standard Work, SMED, TPM, A3, PDCA)
• Excellent analytical ability including compilation of data and analysis to generate insights
• Demonstrated experience leading changes across multiple sites or functions, with the ability to influence leaders and teams without direct authority.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent continuous improvement certification preferred.
• Interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; ability to coach and influence
• Financial and business acumen, including the ability to review financial statements, sales and activity reports, and other performance data to identify improvement opportunities and measure results.
• Ability to travel up to 80% to support assigned facilities and business needs.

A reasonable estimate of the current range is $130-180K + bonus + benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. At Novolex, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The benefits for this role include 401(k) plan with company match, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, paid vacation and sick days, paid parental leave, paid holidays and wellness program.

Company Benefits

What You'll Get From Us Benefits

With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well‑being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a variety of other well‑being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well‑being programs may vary depending on where you work.

Community Engagement

At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.

Training and Development

We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non‑Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.

Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company’s application process should contact [e-mail] .

Formerly Pactiv Evergreen