Strategic Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement Specialist

IMEC Research; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision coverage

Up to 8% employer 401(k) match

5 weeks of PTO to start

10 paid holidays + year-end closure

Company-paid life, AD&D, disability

Job summary

IMEC seeks a Strategic Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement Specialist to lead implementation of operational improvement solutions for manufacturers across Illinois. This hands-on advisor delivers measurable improvements and guides client teams from planning through execution.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred), 3+ years in manufacturing or consulting, and a strong background in Lean, value stream mapping, 5S, and CRM/Microsoft Office; willing to travel

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
• 3+ years of manufacturing experience with leadership or consulting.
• Strong background in manufacturing operations and continuous improvement.
• Experience with small/mid-sized manufacturers is a plus.
• Willingness to travel statewide and work in remote/onsite environments.

Responsibilities

• Engage manufacturers to understand challenges and design solutions.
• Provide strategic guidance, training, and coaching based on client needs.
• Develop proposals and plans with Regional Managers.
• Manage client engagements from planning to outcome tracking using Lean methods.
• Lead client lifecycle as trusted advisor and contribute to solution development.
• Share thought leadership via webinars, speaking engagements, and articles.

Skills

Lean methodologies

Project management

Client engagement

Coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's preferred

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Virtual collaboration platforms

Job description

MUST RESIDE IN ILLINOIS

• Field-based work environment with work conducted from a home office when not onsite at client facilities
• Frequent travel throughout the state to support client engagements and onsite activities
• Work authorization required. IMEC is unable to sponsor visas for this role.

Position Overview

The Strategic Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement Specialist is a hands-on advisor who leads the implementation of operational improvement solutions for manufacturers across Illinois. As a subject matter expert, this role delivers high-impact strategic operational improvement solutions tailored to client needs. This role will lead client teams to changes resulting in measurable impacts, ensuring sustainable improvements in client performance.

Why Join IMEC?

IMEC offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and time away from work, including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
• Up to 8% employer 401(k) match
• 5 weeks of PTO to start, with increased accrual based on years of service
• 10 paid holidays plus an annual year-end organizational closure
• Company-paid life, AD&D, and disability coverage

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with manufacturers to understand their operational challenges and design appropriate solutions.
• Provide strategic guidance, technical support, training and coaching based on client needs and area(s) of specialization.
• Develop proposals and solution plans in collaboration with Regional Managers
• Manage and execute client project engagements, from planning through implementation and outcome tracking, applying Lean and continuous improvement methodologies to improve operational performance, including:
  • Lean Policy Deployment
  • Lean Daily Management
  • Lean tools and methodologies, including 5S and Value Stream Mapping
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Other continuous improvement practices aligned to client needs
• Serve as a trusted advisor and technical lead throughout the client engagement lifecycle
• Contribute to the development and improvement of solutions offered by IMEC.
• Provide thought leadership in operational improvement through webinars, public speaking, and published articles.
• Support the development of third-party resources and strategic partnerships.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s preferred.
• 3+ years of experience working with manufacturing companies, including leadership, operational performance improvement, or consulting responsibilities.
• Strong background in manufacturing operations, continuous improvement, operational excellence, consulting, or related field.
• Experience working with small and mid-sized manufacturers is preferred.
• Experience in advanced manufacturing technology or automation is strongly desired.

Additional attributes include:

• Ability to manage multiple client engagements simultaneously and meet project deadlines
• Adaptability in diverse environments, including varied manufacturing sectors, multiple touch points across organizations, and company cultures
• Proficiency with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), Microsoft Office Suite, and virtual collaboration platforms
• Willingness to travel across the state and work in both remote and onsite environments

Work Environment

• Remote/Field-Based Work Environment: Work is performed from a home office when not onsite at manufacturing facilities. The role combines independent remote work with regular in-person client engagement.
• Frequent in-state travel by automobile and occasional travel by aircraft.
• Requires driving, sitting for extended periods, and working in facilities that may not be ADA accessible.
• Extended hours and weekend work may be required.
• Must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

IMEC and its Subrecipient organizations, including Bradley University, SIU, NIU, and UIC are EOE/AA/M/F/Disabled/Veteran Employers.

About IMEC:

IMEC is a team of improvement specialists dedicated to providing manufacturers in Illinois with the tools and techniques to excel and compete globally. The experienced hands-on team at IMEC works closely with its clients to plan critical business improvements in all areas of their organization from: Leading their Company, Planning for Success, Growing their Business, Improving their Operations, Focusing on their People, and Deciding with Data.

With more than 50 full-time staff and partners positioned statewide, IMEC delivers the local expertise to not only plan and strategize but to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of client improvements. In fact, IMEC assists more than 2,500 companies each year with successful business improvement projects.

As a result, IMEC has demonstrated a return on investment that exceeds 19:1. This is made possible as organizations become more effective and efficient.