Senior Business Excellence Partner

Job Description:

The Senior Business Excellence Partner plays a key strategic role in advancing our culture of continuous improvement across the organization. This senior-level position partners directly with functional executives to identify, define, prioritize, and execute initiatives that improve efficiency, quality, cost, and customer outcomes.

This role requires a highly autonomous, self-directed leader who can navigate a complex organization, build strong cross-functional relationships, and convert business challenges into practical, measurable solutions. The Senior Business Excellence Partner is accountable to deliver quantifiable improvements and will be evaluated on outcomes such as cost reduction, quality process enhancements, cycle-time improvements, and customer experience gains.

Working within the Business Excellence department, this individual applies LEAN, Six Sigma, and other quality methodologies to design and implement process improvements, lead Kaizen events, conduct statistical and financial analyses, guide performance measurement efforts, and support system optimization initiatives. The role also contributes to embedding LEAN thinking and a continuous improvement mindset throughout the organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Strategic Partnership & Leadership
  • Serve as the primary continuous improvement partner to one or more functional executives, helping to define their improvement roadmap and portfolio of initiatives.
  • Operate independently, exercising sound judgment in identifying opportunities, scoping work, prioritizing projects, and driving execution with minimal direction.
  • Influence stakeholders at all levels to build alignment, remove barriers, and ensure successful implementation of change.
  • Communicate recommendations and insights to senior leadership with clarity, confidence, and data-driven rationale.

• LEAN / Quality Leadership
  • Deploy LEAN, Six Sigma, and related quality methodologies to solve complex organizational challenges and improve performance.
  • Lead impactful Kaizen events and structured problem-solving workshops that generate measurable improvements.
  • Support the development of functional requirements for process changes, system enhancements, and workflow redesigns.
  • Conduct COPQ (Cost of Poor Quality) analysis, financial modeling, and statistical assessments to validate the value of proposed solutions.

• Process Improvement & Design
  • Map, analyze, redesign, and optimize end-to-end processes across operational, client-facing, and financial functions.
  • Transform ambiguous problems into structured improvement efforts with clear hypotheses, root-cause analysis, and actionable solutions.
  • Collaborate with IT and Product teams to translate process needs into system requirements, ensuring technology supports business efficiencies.
  • Validate and test process changes to ensure successful implementation and adoption.

• Metrics & Performance Management
  • Develop, enhance, and maintain operational, financial, and relationship metrics that support data-driven decision-making.
  • Monitor trends, diagnose issues, and identify opportunities for improvement through quantitative and qualitative analysis.
  • Standardize performance reporting and ensure consistent visibility of progress against key goals and KPIs.

• Business Analysis & Organizational Navigation
  • Build a deep understanding of business operations, workflows, and customer requirements to inform solution design.
  • Navigate complex organizational structures to gain alignment, secure resources, and ensure that solutions are implemented effectively.
  • Recommend process, people, and technology solutions grounded in business realities and economic value.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position has no people leader responsibilities

COMPETENCIES - SKILLS

• Proven track record of leading enterprise-wide Lean/CI programs with measurable impact in matrixed organizations.
• Deep knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Demonstrated success facilitating Kaizen events and building engagement across levels of the organization.
• Hands-on experience with Salesforce, ServiceNow, or similar enterprise platforms is a plus.
• Strong business acumen, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, Visio, and project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, or similar).

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, Supply Chain, Operations or related field required; advanced degree is a plus
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification
• 7-10+ years of experience in process improvement, business transformation, or operational optimization within complex service or transactional environments

CORE VALUES

At Wheels, we believe in fostering a culture that is built on our Core Values and Guiding Principles. We cultivate a culture of excellence and innovation by upholding these values, driving our collective success and growth.

• Integrity - Always act with integrity and honesty.
• One Team - Treat others with dignity and respect; act as a cohesive, inclusive and accountable team that is making a difference.
• Innovation - Drive continuous improvement, spark creativity and embrace next generation thinking.
• Customer Success - Ensure that customer and driver success is at the heart of everything we do.

CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES

At Wheels, our culture guides us how we work every day, and we look for team members who show these behaviors:

• Discipline Drives Quality - Plan the Trip: Think proactively, hold a high bar, follow through by leveraging experience and systems. To produce quality outcomes, we must be intentional and deliberate in everything we do, from big bets to daily execution.
• Intellectually Curious - Fuel Your Minds: Be bold, challenge assumptions, think differently, look outside the box. Strive to unlock your own thinking and create new possibilities.
• Commit and Deliver - Own It: Take responsibility for your work, from start to finish, and be accountable for the results. Think and act like an owner of the business.
• Relationships Matter - Share the Ride: Trust is central, both with key internal and external stakeholders. Relationships are not a side effect of work but a driver of success.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work Environment: This position is in Schaumburg, Ill and operates in a professional office environment.
• Positions Type/Standard Schedule: This is a full-time, hybrid position (3 days in office - Wednesday is required in office), Monday and Friday
• T rav el: No Travel required for this position
• Physical Demands: Speak, hear, and see, and to use hand and fingers for computer keyboard and phone. Sit or stand for extended periods of time. Reach above head to pull paper attachments.

DISCLAIMER

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Our Benefits

Wheels recognizes benefits are a significant part of your employee experience, and we've created a robust benefits package that is market-leading, competitive offerings so you and your family can receive outstanding care. Please click here for an overview of the benefits available to you and your family.

Pay Range:
$120,000 - $160,000
The base salary range for this position is listed above. This position is eligible to participate in the annual incentive plan which is based on company performance and individual performance. Compensation ranges are based on several factors including job function, level, and geographic location. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate experience, education, certifications, skill level and expertise, and may vary from the amounts listed here.

EEO Statement
Wheels is a Drug-Free Workplace. All employment is contingent on successful completion of drug and background screening.

Wheels is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer and administers all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or domestic partnership status, disability, protected veteran status or military status, genetic information, or any other category protected under applicable law. Wheels is committed to taking affirmative steps to promote the employment and advancement of minorities, women, persons with disabilities and protected veterans.